Vayeshev: the importance of positive speech
Our Torah portion, Vayeshev, describes the consequences of evil tongue: "And Joseph brought their evil report to their father" (Genesis 37:2). It's important to know that Joseph's reporting of his brothers' actions wasn't intended to harm them. He simply informed his father of what he had observed, and his intention was to cause them to repent and thus change their behaviour for good. The brothers' decision to sell Joseph was, in a deeper sense, a result of the promise made to Abraham about the exile of his descendants to Egypt. Joseph's eventual descent to Egypt, did fulfill the divine plan for the Israelites to grow into a great nation there.
However, the result of Joseph's report to his father led finally to sell him into slavery. It teaches us the importance of avoiding slander and gossip. The story of Joseph demonstrates the harmful consequences of evil speech. Not to speak…
That is GREAT, Emily! Enjoy your studies for their is a lot more treasure to be found here in the Academy.