Parshat Vayeshev: Will, Strength, Desire
by Rabbi Lobel

(Genesis; Chapter 37, Verse 15 - 16) "A man discovered him (Joseph), and behold! - he seemed confused in the field: the man asked him, saying, What do you seek? And he (Joseph) said, "My brothers do I seek; tell me, please, where they are grazing."

Jacob sent Joseph to search for his brothers and report how they are dealing with their father's flock. Joseph went looking in the pastures and could not find his brothers. Joseph asked for help and found them in Dosan - an area not fit for grazing.

The Ramban (26:15) comments that Joseph was willing to go great lengths to find his brothers. Yet, Joseph was not able to find his brothers because he was searching in the wrong place. G-d sent forth an angel (Rashi on the verse explains that it was Gabriel) to properly direct Joseph. Joseph would have never found his brothers because they were in Dosan, an area not fit for pasture. No matter the situation, G-d's will prevails.

The Torah is teaching us, through this incidental story, that no matter how far-fetched a result may be, it will happen. Through natural means, Joseph, with all his desire to fulfill his father's command, would not have met his brothers. Joseph needed help from G-d.

Will, strength, and desire, are not enough to achieve even the simplest tasks. Joseph, with all his abilities, could not follow his father's simple command to find his brothers. He needed divine help.