Each time I read the opening verses of Sh’mot, the first sedra of Exodus (and the Hebrew name of the entire book), I think of the old-time movies in which the dastardly villain ties the maiden to the railroad tracks. The organ plays this creepy tune; we know something bad will happen and we quiver and quake until the good guy arrives to save the maiden.

“And there arose a Pharaoh…” goes on to say “…who knew not Joseph.” We know this is, as they say, not good for the Jews. After all, Joseph was a big mahaf in Pharaoh’s court. How could any future pharaoh not have heard of him? Golly gee, he saved the Egyptians from starvation! But, alas, we hear that creepy music.

There have been many in history “who knew not Joseph,” Joseph symbolizing the leaders and contributions of our people in whatever country we dwelled. In so many instances “they” know darn well how we added to their welfare. Just like Holocaust deniers know that the Shoah occurred, but deny it due to their attitude towards Jews, so do these people choose to, as they say in Brooklyn, fuhgetaboutit. Nonetheless, our mission is not to “quiver and quake,” but to continue to raise a Joseph or more for every generation.

A Fruitful Postscript

I always think about how the entire Middle East could be a Silicon Valley-type neighborhood if Israel’s neighbors came to the realization that true peace could bring cooperation. But, nooooo, they prefer to live in the dark ages, focused on war and hatred, because they choose to “know not Joseph.” Yes, this isn’t precisely the same as the meaning of the Sh’mot verse, but it weighs on me and is similar enough.

Maybe the new relationship between Israel and the Gulf nations will lead to something special; and maybe the countries surrounding the Jewish State will take a good look at the possibilities. We can always hope.