We have finally arrived at one of my favorite Seasons of Torah: The Joseph Cycle! It is a novella that exists within and rounds out the Genesis narrative. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber saw the potential to turn this story into an operetta and they gave us the gift of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the primary lens through which this musical-loving-rabbi experiences the text. Each year when we turn to parshat Vayeshev, a chorus bursts forth in my head of “Jacob! Jacob and sons…!” and then I proceed to be distracted by all of the musical numbers that tell the story of Joseph’s fall and rise.
It feels like an antidote to the being-Jewish-at-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year blues for me, more so than Chanukah. While it is true that Chanukah has become the Jewish Seasonal counterpoint to Christmas, for me, it lacks the narrative draw of hope, possibility, light coming from darkness, that Christmas and the Advent season hold. The Joseph story, on the other hand, is one that is full of such enticing emotion. It draws the reader in, holds our attention, has us waving our arms in warning to the characters on the page. It is truly an emotional rollercoaster ride, and for Torah, it is a striking departure from more traditionally sparse language and narration.
Our text is telling us a story. In the darkest days of the year it invites us to settle in, curl up, and listen to a tale of drama and woe, of jealousies and betrayal, of treacherous brushes with destiny, and ultimately, of redemption and reconciliation. It is a wild romp and I, for one, intend to enjoy it this “holiday season.”