There is a story told about the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad movement, who was arrested in Russia on the charge of “teaching Judaism to the masses.” While being transported to prison, a journey that took a few days, Shabbat arrived. Since it is forbidden to travel on Shabbat, the Alter rebbe asked the guards to stop on the side of the road for the duration of Shabbat. Refusing his request, they continued to travel. Suddenly, one of the wagon wheels fell off. After it was repaired, another wheel fell off. Then another. Finally, his guards realized they were not dealing with a simple Jew, and they agreed to camp on the side of the road for the length of Shabbat.
This story is as puzzling as it is fascinating. If the Rebbe was able to perform miracles to get what he wanted, why didn’t he perform a miracle that would allow him to return home? Why did he allow himself to be taken prisoner?
We find this story genre parallel in this week’s Torah portion, Vayeishev. We read that Joseph went down to Egypt. The Hebrew term used to express this descent into Egypt is “hurad.” The Midrash notes that the root of this word is connected to the word that means a kiln. Joseph descended into a kiln; just as a piece of pottery is placed into intense fire and emerges complete, so too was Joseph’s descent into Egypt. Although it began with hardship, it ended in greatness.
Joseph’s story is the story of our lives. Things can seem incredibly challenging at first. With time and effort, we can not only emerge stronger, but eventually recognize that the reward came because of the difficulty itself.
Joseph understood this. Later, Jacob understood this. And throughout the ages, Jews have come to experience this truth many times over.
The Alter Rebbe took this lesson a step further. He understood that not everyone facing a challenge can perform a miracle and stop their troubles. Yet he, who could have saved himself, chose not to—because he appreciated that there is value in going through the process. Not only because it ends well, but because the good is found in the beginning as well. In other words, he recognized that the reward would come not because of the difficulty, but within the difficulty itself.
This week, we celebrated the 19th of Kislev, the anniversary of his release from imprisonment. He taught us that not only can the bad turn into good, but that we must find the good within the bad. There is always a deeper layer waiting to be uncovered.
Let’s go uncover the good.