Rabbi Howard Morrison

Joseph was cast into a pit by his brothers and sold off to slavery in Egypt. Years later, he is a viceroy in Egypt staring down his brothers in disguise. While Joseph can never forget what his brothers did to him, he forgives them when he discloses his identity to them. 

Joseph teaches us that forgetting and forgiving are not the same. Forgiving is not about letting someone off the hook. Rather, forgiving is about removing a heavy chip from our shoulders which weighs us down. Forgiving is a need we have for ourselves to live a healthier and more spiritual life. 

While challenging as it may be, we can forgive even when we cannot forget.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Howard Morrison