This week the American Red Cross dismissed its president and chief executive, Mark W. Everson, citing his “personal relationship with a subordinate employee.” He had been in office for only six months. This has caused much discussion about whether is was right for the Red Cross to fire Mr. Everson over a workplace affair and whether sexual morality should be a reason to dismiss and employee.
In this week Torah portion we read about just such a dilemma by one of Judaism’s most famous founding figures Joseph.
We read how Potophar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph day after day, and he would not listen to her to lie beside her, to be with her. Then there was an opportune day when he entered the house – the Talmud relates that according to one opinion he came home with the intention to commit a sin with Potophar’s wife – only Potophar’s wife was home and she caught hold of him by his garment saying, “lie with me!” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and went out side. Potophar’s wife wanted him and she was beautiful, Joseph nearly fell into the trap of his lust, the temptation was colossal.
But at the most crucial moment when he had a choice to either giving in to his lusts and betraying his master’s trust by sleeping with his wife or doing the right thing and rebuff her advances, he made the right decision and he withdrew, and ran out side. How was Joseph able to control his desire while standing in the arms of this beautiful woman who was lusting after him so greatly?
The answer that our sages give is that at that crucial moment the image of his father came in front of him. How did this help Joseph?
As soon as Joseph came to Egypt and started to work for Potophar the Torah relates that “his master perceived that God was with him” and this was visible – says the Midrash – because he used to mention God’s name in all his dealings.
Even while he was a slave in pagan Egypt, God still played central role in Joseph’s life. Joseph continued to be a deeply religious person to whom maintaining his relationship with God was of paramount importance.
But when all this was put to the test and Potophar’s wife tried to seduce him he nearly failed. In the last possible moment he imagined the image of his father and all that he stood for. This made him realize that he would ruin everything that he held truly dear especially the moral principles that his father had instilled in him but more importantly his relationship with God.
This is what Joseph tells Potophar’s wife when he rebuffs her advances: “There is no one greater in this house then I, my master has denied me nothing apart from you, since you are his wife, how then cam I perpetrate this great evil, and sin against God. Joseph knew that committing this sin would be ruinous not only to his relationship with his master but more importantly it would destroy his carefully maintained relationship with God.
Joseph’s method of overcoming colossal temptation is instructive to us. If we want to be able to withstand temptation so that we avoid spiritual and sometimes, social, professional and domestic ruin, as happened with Mr Everson we must maintain a strong relationship with God. Belief that God is all knowing and that a conscious connection with Him is important to us—as it should be—will cause us to desist from acting in a manner that we know would affect that bond.
According to the Torah, God considers inappropriate sexual relationships a grievous sin. Acting on lust in that manner will destroy that relationship with the Divine power. By taking an example from Joseph and developing a strong conscious relationship with God we will keep out of trouble and a stable life will no doubt follow.