How can this possibly be considered a reward? Furthermore, how in the world would this console Yosef? Yosef just went from the highest heights to the lowest point imaginable. He was Yaakov's favorite child, was personally taught all of his father's Torah wisdom, and had a prophecy that he was destined to be a king. In but a moment, he went from this exalted status to being betrayed by his own brothers and sold as a lifelong slave on a caravan headed to Egypt; the country famous for the fact that no slave had ever escaped its borders. How could pleasant fragrances possibly console him?

From the early 1900's, it became common for Jews in Eastern Europe, who were tired of pogroms, poverty and despair, to send their children to the United States where there were opportunities for a better life. It was very expensive, and usually, the parents would only send their children one at a time as the money became available to them. The children would stay with relatives in America until the rest of their family arrived. In 1930, Anya Gold, the oldest of eight children, was sent by her parents. Her parents had saved enough money for only one ticket. They told her that they would all soon follow, but they never did. It took them years to accumulate enough money, but by that time, the Holocaust had already begun. Anya was raised by her aunt in Baltimore, and eventually (around the year 1946), a few stray survivors from her hometown in Poland came to Baltimore and brought with them the news that she dreaded to hear; her entire family had been wiped out. It was hard for her to go on. She knew, however, that the best way to commemorate her family's legacy was to build one herself. She wanted to get married, have a lot of children, and name them after her family members. Shortly after, she found a wonderful husband named Shaul, and they began to build their lives together.

A couple of years went by, and they were childless. The doctors told them that there was a problem which would make it impossible for them to ever have children. They began to contemplate adoption. Anya was hesitant because she wanted so badly to raise her own children to continue her family legacy. Finally, they decided to adopt and contacted a Jewish agency in New York. They were told that an infant had just been put up for adoption. They became very excited and traveled to New York. But when they arrived their hopes were shot down; the family had reconsidered and took their baby back. They asked the agency official, "we already came all the way here, isn't there something else you can do for us?". He said, "Yes, I do have a wonderful little girl named Miriam who is in desperate need of a home". Miriam was adorable, but she was already eight-years-old, and they really wanted a newborn. Anya and Shaul went back home. One year passed with no prospects. They contacted many agencies across the U.S. but an infant was very hard to find. Anya's intense longing for a child consumed her, and she told her husband, "let's see if we can still adopt that little girl Miriam". They called the agency and the official said, "Yes, not too many people want a nine-year-old. But now there is a little bit of a complication," he added. "Her little brother has been found in Europe and has joined her in our home for war orphans. The siblings are inseparable, and we promised them that they will be adopted together". The couple went to New York and saw the children. Miriam had such a sweet demeanor, and her six-year-old brother, Moshe, was adorable as well. They brought them back home to Baltimore and were so happy to finally fill their home with children. When nine-year-old Miriam looked around at her new house, she suddenly pointed to a picture on the piano and asked Anya, "Why do you have a picture of my Grandma here?”. Anya froze. She stared at the picture of her deceased mother but couldn’t understand what the girl was talking about. Miriam then ran to her luggage and took out a faded picture, showed it to Anya and said, "See? I have a picture of her too. That's my Grandma.”. Miriam then proceeded to take out a picture of her mother and showed it to Anya. Anya was shocked to see that it was Sarah, her own sister. Unknowingly, she adopted her sister's two children! Thanks to Hashem’s benevolent Providence, she was indeed given the merit to bring continuity to her own family's legacy. Anya may have had a difficult life, but clearly seeing the Yad Hashem guiding her brought her indescribable comfort for the rest of her lifetime. (This story can be found in the book "Small Miracles for the Jewish Heart”).

Arab merchants only carried foul smelling spices. This was an immutable fact of the times. When Yosef saw that they were inexplicably carrying pleasant smelling spices, it reminded him that he was not alone. Yosef focused on that minor display of Divine kindness to remind himself that Hashem is a kind and benevolent G-d, and that He was clearly orchestrating all of these events. Yosef was strengthened by the realization that whether they knew it or not, his brothers could only do Hashem's will. He knew with certainty that Hashem was in full control...and he was right. As we know, the very actions that the brothers took to harm Yosef were the catalysts of the series of events that caused him to become the viceroy of Egypt! Hashem, as always, had everything under perfect control.

Living Inspired

Hashem runs the world. There is never a reason to be afraid or stressed. The Chovos Halevuvos writes that no man can help me, or harm me, without Hashem's explicit instruction to do so.  Living with this mentality throughout our day to day activities is essential not only for the spiritual benefits it brings, but also for our overall sense of serenity and peace of mind. A great example of this is a sign that I recently saw in someone's office that read: "Good morning! This is Hashem. I will be handling all of your problems today. I will not need your help, so relax and have a great day". It's so important to go through our daily lives with this mentality, and with the understanding that Hashem’s Divine Providence is always with us, although it may take some concentration to find.

Every day, may we look for and find comfort in Hashem’s subtle reminders that He is always with us, that He is kind and benevolent, and that He is thankfully in full control.