Hineini – I am ready!

The sign of the righteous is extolled in our tradition. When called upon they say in one form of another; Hineini – here I am. Ready to serve.

We see this again in this week’s Torah portion when Jacob asks Joseph to bury him in Israel. Joseph agrees.  This despite the fact that Jacob is concerned that Joseph may harbor resentments to him for not going out of his way to bury Rachel in a seemingly more fitting burial place in Chevron.

In 2021/22 our people are all righteous.  What I mean by that is that in our very complicated world, we are all trying to do good.  We’re all trying to navigate through the complexities of our internal psyches, keeping afloat, trying to do good. 

What we are called upon to do is to be righteous in our response when we are called upon.  So often we are wrapped up in what does the world owe me.  Or, what can you do for me? How can you serve me?

Being righteous is a recognition that despite all the complexities, we are here to serve.  We don’t need to be a Joseph to be righteous.  We just need to be ready.
Good Shabbos!

Enjoying what
you've read?

Here's more.

December 13, 2017

Fight, Flight or Fly Higher

Chabad Intown

How do we react to challenge? Do we fight back or do we run away?   Back in the day when there was...

November 4, 2020

Before and After

Rabbi Schusterman

There are all kinds of “before and after”.  Global, historic, personal, etc. Eg. BC = Before...

February 15, 2023

Idealistic Boundaries 2023

Rabbi Schusterman

Idealism is a blessing and also totally unrealistic. Oh, I don’t intend to throw the baby out with...