January 17, 2004 D'var TorahDear BSO Congregant, Early in the opening chapter of Exodus we find a most interesting and curious verse. Exodus 1:8 states, “A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph.” I find it curious that the text does not say that the new king doesn’t “remember” Joseph; rather we learn that this new king “did not know Joseph.” Many of us are aware that the biblical term for “know” means something much deeper and more intimate than that which is usually indicated by this term in English. The midrashic commentary in our Etz Hayim Humash (the commentary below the line) states the following on this phrase, “Who did not know Joseph….” “Pharaoh knew that Joseph had saved Egypt, but did not care. He did not let the information change his outlook.”
The text is at least hinting that this new Pharaoh, this new king, may have heard Joseph’s name mentioned in the past, but he refuses to be influenced by Joseph’s reputation. He is separating Joseph’s fame from any connection others might have created between Joseph and his people, B’nai Yisrael. He will not allow Joseph’s reputation for wisdom and pragmatism to influence many of the policies he wished to develop concerning the Jews of his day. I can’t help but think of this verse, Exodus 1:8, in light of last week’s earth-shattering announcement that former coach Joseph Gibbs would return to the role of head coach of the Washington Redskins. I don’t ever remember a sports story receiving as much attention and reaction in our area. Nothing has electrified the city, as did the return of Joe Gibbs, not even when the Washington Redskins won their three Super Bowls. It is Exodus 1:8 in reverse. Indeed, not long ago, a new king arose over the Redskins, who did not ever forget Joseph. Whatever you might say about Dan Snyder as an owner, he is first and foremost, a Washington Redskins fan. It was pointed out in one of the Washington Post articles that Dan Snyder was 16 years old when the Washington Redskins won their first Super Bowl with Joe Gibbs as head coach. Yes, Dan Snyder said he wanted Marty Schottenheimer as coach when Marty was hired. Later, after Marty was fired, everyone honestly believed he definitely wanted Steve Spurrier all along. But there is absolutely no doubt that most of all, Dan Snyder wants to regain the glory years of the Washington Redskins in the 1980’s and early 90’s. He figures the most effective way to regain those years is to do so with Joe Gibbs in charge of what happens on the field. Will Joe Gibbs succeed on a level that is even close to the success he and the Washington Redskins enjoyed in the past? I don’t know, and really, no one knows. Yes, even I, the Buffalo Bills fan, hope that the Redskins enjoy success next year. It’s so much more fun living around here when the Redskins are winning. Bill Parcells, current coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has demonstrated that indeed it’s possible, and perhaps even easier for a coach to return to success than it is for a player. Michael Jordan had flashes of brilliance in his two years of playing with the Washington Wizards, but he was no where near the Michael Jordan any of us witnessed with the Chicago Bulls. The reason it may be more successful for coaches and managers is because ultimately they are teachers. And, the best teachers usually retain their tremendously valuable skill much longer than an athlete is able to possess the prowess he or she must continually demonstrate on the field or court. Joe
Gibbs has been away from football for a long time, but he has been
involved in teaching and mentoring in the sport of racecar driving. I
look forward to watching Joe Gibbs and evaluating his effectiveness
as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins. Even if the
Redskins were to win another Super Bowl in the near future, it will
not be reliving the past. That can really never happen. There
will be new players, new stars, new names and numbers for young Redskins
fans to memorize. What might be the same, however, is the talent
in creating human connections that Joe Gibbs was able to so magically
develop in his eleven previous years as Washington Redskins head
coach. There
are many teachers in many areas of life, both in and out of the classroom. Among
them, we know that Joe Gibbs has been one of the best. That
is something we all “know.” The question to which
we all await an answer is whether this “Joe” is the
same old “Joe” we all know and remember. My
prediction is yes, and if I am right, I will join the rest of you
in singing, “Hail to the Redskins,” unless they once again meet the
Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl. Our Friday night service will
begin at Candle lighting time is Our service on Shabbat morning, will begin at 9:15 AM (this will be the time of Shabbat morning services through February 21). Our Shabbat Minha service
will begin at Our service on Sunday morning, January
18 will begin at On Monday morning January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day there will be services held at 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Philip Pohl B'nai Shalom of Olney 18401 Burtfield Dr. Olney, MD 20832 301-774-0879 301-774-3992 FAX
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