It is perhaps the most climactic line in the entire Torah. “Ani Yosef! I Am Jospeh” It is these words that end the drama of the longest uninterrupted story of the Torah.
Until that point, his 11 brothers were filled with so much confusion. Why was the Egyptian leader terrorizing them? How did the cup end up in Benjamin’s sack? Were they being punished for their sin of selling Joseph? Was Joseph still alive? Where was he? How could peace and tranquility ever return to their family?
Endless questions. Complete darkness. There seemed no way forward.
But with these two words, all of those questions were instantly answered. A powerful beam of light lit up the entire room, clarifying what they had thought to be unanswerable.
(Sure there were still some loose ends to finish up: Joseph incredibly showing no resentment. The brothers going back to Israel to bring up their father. The reunion of Joseph and his father. Joseph stressing that he did forgive them. But those things quickly fell into place after the others three words ended the decades of confusion.)
---
Jewish history is replete with so many unanswered questions. From the national tragedies that have befallen our people over the millennia to the tremendous suffering of those dealing with illnesses today, there is so, so much suffering in the world, so much we do not understand. As Jews, we have complete faith in G-d and recognize the limits of our finite mind, while, at the same time, question and cry out to G-d about the many things we do not understand.
Could a day ever come when this darkness will end? Is it really possible that we one day understand that which seems to have no answer?
Torah says YES! One of the principles of our faith is the belief in Moshiach, a time when “tears will turn into joy” and light will finally put an end to darkness. Somehow, in ways we cannot possibly fathom today, the many puzzle pieces of existence will suddenly come together and we will get the answers to so many of life’s questions, just like that moment we read about this week “I am Joseph.”
So we march forward with faith. Doing all we can to turn on little lights all around us until the day comes when G-d turns on the main switch ushering in the era of Moshiach.
May that day come very speedily…