The life of Yoseph is described by the verse, “For after I fell, I got up”
The Midrash comments, ‘had I not fallen, I would not have arisen’.
Some heights are not attainable without previously falling.
Obviously, no one designs a fall in the hope that it may lead to a greater elevation. However, if a person does suffer a reversal, he or she should not despair, because it may be a necessary prelude to achieve a higher level of success then would have been possible otherwise.
Why is that so? When things are going well, most people let well enough alone. The result? Mediocrity has become acceptable. Changing often involves taking some risk, and even if we could achieve greater things, we might not wish to take a chance when things are proceeding quite satisfactorily. However, when we are in an intolerable situation, we are compelled to do some thing and this impetus may bring about creativity and progress.
This was the greatness of Joseph, that after each fall he did not despair but instead rose to be the second most powerful man in the world.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Shaul
