Torah in Parashat Vayeshev describes Yosef’s travails after being sold as a slave and brought to Egypt. Somewhat surprisingly, the Torah in this context uses the uncommon word “matzli’ach” (“successful”) no fewer than three times: “The Lord was with Yosef, and he was a successful man, while he was in his Egyptian master’s home” (39:2); “His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made him successful in everything he did” (39:3); “the Lord made everything he did successful” (39:23).
It is hard to overlook the glaring irony in the Torah’s emphasis on “success” in this context. Yosef is described as “matzli’ach” while working as a slave under Potifar, and then again while he languished in an Egyptian dungeon after being sentenced on false charges. After living for seventeen years as the preferred child and presumed heir of a loving and doting father, Yosef now finds himself working as a slave in a foreign land without any rights, family, or realistic hopes for a bright future. And then after remaining true to his principles in the face of temptation he is falsely charged and imprisoned. Yet he, of all people, is described under these circumstances as an “ish matzli’ach” – a successful person.
Unfortunately, we are conditioned to define “success” in absolute, objective terms, and on the basis of accomplishments such as material prosperity, power and prestige. From the story of Yosef, the “ish matzli’ach,” we may learn the true meaning of “success,” and that is making the very most of any situation in which we find ourselves. Even after being thrown into a dungeon, Yosef was determined to be accomplished and successful, and soon the chief warden appointed him as overseer over his fellow inmates. (Significantly, this appointment is what led to his ultimate release from prison and rise to greatness, as in his capacity as overseer he checked up on the butler and baker and inquired why they appeared distressed.) Rather than bemoan his fate and wallow in anguish and self-pity, Yosef made the conscious decision to do everything he could under the harsh circumstances to which he was thrust.
The success of our peers or figures portrayed in the media does not necessarily present an accurate model of success for us to follow. Success is subjective and personal, and is determined by each individual’s capabilities and unique circumstances. Our most inspiring model of hatzlacha is Yosef, who achieved to the very best of his ability in every circumstance, which is precisely the kind of “success” we should all be striving toward.
(Based on a sermon by Rabbi Abraham Kelman - I heard this very idea from Mori Vi-rabi The Tolna Rebbe Shlita. I don't think he read the RCA manuel of 1957 though...)
