Building a Dynasty - Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

Sefer Bereishis concludes that Yosef was blessed with a Bracha that the other Shvatim were not blessed with. Yosef saw great grandchildren. Not only did Yosef see Menashe, not only did Yosef see Menashe’s children, גם בני מכיר בן מנשה יולדו על ברכי יוסף. Why does Bereishis end this way, that Yosef saw great grandchildren? That's wonderful. That's beautiful. Why is this the conclusion of the sefer? We all know Yosef was faced with perhaps the most daunting challenge in the history of man. And the Gemara in Sota describes that Yosef was very close, very near to not overcoming that challenge. And in the final moment, he summoned the internal strength. He refused. What's the Trup on the word וימאן? Shalsheles. What does the word ‘Shalsheles’ mean? ‘Shalsheles’ literally means ‘three’, ‘a chain’. What is the Torah telling us? When a Jew is faced with a challenge, don't think it's just between you and God. Don't think it's just here and now. Don't think it's in the moment, if I do it, if I violate it, it's between me and Hakadosh Baruch Hu. If I overcome it, it's between me and Hakadosh Baruch Hu. No, you have to know that your challenge will reverberate until the end of time. It will affect your children, it will affect your grandchildren, it will affect your great grandchildren. You will have Nachas from great grandchildren, if you overcome that challenge. When Yosef refused, וימאן, you know what Yosef was zoche to? Shalsheles. He was zoche to a dynasty, he was zoche to lineage, and therefore Sefer Bereishis says, ‘We're not closing the book on this Sefer, until we let you know that in fact, that word ‘Shileshim’ reminds us of the Shalsheles that Yosef was zoche to, because he overcame his challenge of Kedusha. Recognize, realize, when you're faced with a challenge, think about many, many דורות that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is waiting to bless you with at this moment. This is not a moment of Hashem trying you, this is a moment of Hashem desiring to bless you. Let's take advantage of that opportunity, לנו ולכל דורותינו, for us, for our children, until the end of time.