In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Vayigash, we find the dramatic reunion between Yosef and his brothers. The brothers have not been together for over 20 years, so one can imagine the excitement that was in the air. Yosef knew who his brothers were when they came before him in Egypt, as we read about in previous Parshiyot. However, it was only in this week’s Parsha that he dropped the bomb and revealed his true identity. Upon revealing his identity he used the two words “Ani Yosef”, I am Yosef. It seems a little strange that he only uses these two words. I mean, if I had not seen someone in such a long time, I would have said something else like how are you all, what has been going on? So, why did Yosef just use these words?
These words were words of rebuke to the brothers. They had thought very evil thoughts against Yosef, and now they saw that really he was right all along with his prophetic dreams. The immediately recognized their sins and did repentance. One mistake, which they had lived with for so many years, was totally forgiven with just one sentence. These two words were enough to change their thoughts in just one second.
We learn from here a valuable lesson about our words. From just two words, Yosef was able to accomplish so much. How much more so can we accomplish so much just with our words. We have such potential to use our words for good, so we just have to realize this and act accordingly. The following story told by Rabbi Paysach Krohn helps illustrate this point. Every Pesach, Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner would have a Pesach Seder at his home with all of his students. (All of whom regarded their Rosh Yeshivah with only the highest respect.) Each year, one student was chosen to pour the wine into everyone’s cups for the 4 cups of wine that we drink at the Seder. One year as the student was pouring the wine in his Rosh Yeshivah’s cup, he spilled some on the Rav’s kittel (white robe worn at the seder by the leader). Those that were present were astonished. Suddenly, there was a silence that spread throughout the room, as everyone waited for what their Rebbe would say. Rav Hutner looked down at his kittel and said, “A kittel without wine is like a Yom Kippur machzor without tears!” In one phrase he elevated the event as only he could do. We should all have the bracha that our words be a source of inspiration for others and a source of only good things.