Timeless Torah

Why do we drink the four cups of wine at the Seder? The usual explanation focuses on the four expressions of redemption found in G-d’s promise to Moses. Other reasons offered are connected to the four sons mentioned in the Hagaddah and to the four Matriarchs.

One fascinating interpretation attributed to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi suggests that the four cups of wine are related to the four times that the word “cup” is mentioned by Pharaoh’s jailed butler as he recounts his dream to Joseph in the prison. Although it may interesting that the word appears four times, we certainly may wonder what relevance do the troubles of Pharaoh’s butler have for us on our night of freedom? Of course, it is this dream that foreshadows Joseph being summoned from prison only to emerge as second to Pharaoh, but still, what does this have to do with Pesach and the Exodus? ……………………

Our ancestors who lived through the period of slavery were certainly aware of their predicament. To them, Egypt was a house of bondage, and they left it with great relief. However, what was Joseph’s attitude? Joseph not only lived in the pre-bondage era, he had honor and glory. By all accounts, Joseph had “made it” in Egypt. .
A survey of Joseph’s career reveals an interesting trajectory. Initially, he seems (stress on the word, seems) absorbed in his responsibility and office. He names his first son Menashe, meaning, “G-d has made me forget my hardship and my parental home.” Gone are the troubles of his youth and the sibling rivalries. Gone, too, perhaps, are the dreams of Abraham and the special covenant established by God with the family. Joseph is now Egyptian, with an Egyptian name, wife and family.

However, the name he chooses for his second son is Ephraim, meaning, “G-d has made me fertile in the land of my affliction.” Why is Egypt the land of his affliction? Has his view of Egypt begun to change? Is he beginning to feel some sense of bondage in this foreign land in which his star has risen?

Let us reflect on these questions: When his brothers arrive to purchase grain, does he act harshly with them in order to remain beyond suspicion concerning his own Hebrew origins? No! Why did he separate his brothers’ families in Goshen; to shield himself? No! And when Joseph is on his deathbed, he requests that in the future when G-d redeems His people from oppression, that they take his bones along. Why? What did Joseph know? At that time, all was peaceful and prosperous in Egypt.

The answer is clear: Despite the accouterments of wealth and power, ultimately this was not Joseph’s land. The more he rose in prominence, the more pronounced his sense of alienation. Indeed the very “trappings” of power were actually a “trap.”

So, what is the connection between the four cups of Joseph and the four cups of the Seder? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi is reminding us that Pesach is not just for the poor and the oppressed; Pesach is for the Josephs of our people too. After Joseph had reached the pinnacle of power and contributed mightily to the well-being of the country, he realized that whatever he produced was not really his; it was Egypt’s. Joseph may have secured temporary safety and fame, but soon after there, “Arose a new king who not know Joseph.”
Even without the threat of physical violence, Jews must always ask about our place in society, where we can be not just safe and secure, but where Jewish creativity and accomplishments are ours to keep. A home for which we, the Jews, are solely responsible.

People in exile are ready to move from one place to another. But people at home stand up to defend their homes. Maybe this is why so many Jews throughout history were willing to wander or went like “sheep” to the slaughter. Compare this to the last fifty years of fighting Jewish spirit in Israel and the tenacity and perseverance of the settlers who get thrown off a mountaintop on Tuesday, only to return with their caravans on Wednesday. We are truly living in miraculous times: not the least among them is the ingathering of exiled communities that continues with great intensity. We are witnessing prophecy come alive. So when we drink the four cups of wine, we remember not only the poor slave who was freed from bondage, but also Joseph - who ultimately was also beholden and a slave to Pharaoh.

Pesach celebrates not only our initial freedom from Egypt but also our future redemption from this final exile. Some Jews are stuck deep in the mud pits (i.e., those living in Muslim countries), others have made it to castle itself (i.e., those in Western democracies), nonetheless we all are “enslaved”. May we all raise our cups together and drink up!