Jealousy is a powerful emotion. It causes brethren to hate each other, it causes lovers to come apart. In this sedra, we see the first of these. Joseph, favoured by Jacob, was given a many-coloured coat. But why such jealousy over a garment? Because the colouration implied leadership, Joseph had been placed as a leader without his brothers seeing him prove his worth as a leader. For that they hated him, and they had to be revenged. In Genesis XXXVII, 18, we see the brothers actually conspired to kill Joseph, their own brother, although Reuben decides to spare his life, and suggests casting his brother down into a pit.

There are immediate things to learn from this story. Although we should always try to work towards our goals honestly, as opposed to through short-cuts, which may include cheating and the like, we must remember the price of leadership. Whenever we lead, we face criticism. Whenever the Jewish people as a whole come to the forefront of the public interest, we in general face criticism. But (and I'm jumping the gun a bit) Joseph forgives his brothers, just as we should not end up hating those who criticise us.

But further troubles lay ahead for Joseph in this Sedrah, in the form of Potiphar's wife. Once in Egypt, and once he started gaining influence, Joseph was approached by Potiphar's wife, lusting after an affair. But Joseph turned it down, saying that although Potiphar may not know of the affair, G-d would. But even by doing this, Joseph is accused of the very act he turned down, and here we can learn another lesson. However much we may try to do good as we lead our lives, there will be some who try to drag our name down. We may defend ourselves as strongly as we can, but there will always be those who don't believe us, and there will always be those who conspire against us. But as long as we learn by these experiences, as opposed to becoming embittered by them, then we can become as great as Joseph.