'PARSHA & PROSE' WITH RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA: VA'YESHEV & 'UNCLE TOM'S CABIN' (Audio/Visual)

The Torah portion of Va'yeshev, which covers the story of Joseph's betrayal by his brothers and his subsequent enslavement in Egypt, shares thematic parallels with the depiction of slavery in Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. In Va'yeshev, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, who are motivated by jealousy and resentment, leading to his suffering and displacement. Similarly, in Uncle Tom's Cabin, African slaves, like Uncle Tom, are subjected to inhumane treatment, betrayal, and exploitation by those who see them as property rather than people. Both narratives highlight the deep injustices of slavery, emphasizing the emotional and physical suffering endured by the enslaved. However, while Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt serves as a form of divine justice, Uncle Tom's Cabin underscores the moral degradation of slavery and calls for its abolition, reflecting a more direct critique of the system. In both texts, the individuals who suffer under slavery demonstrate resilience and faith, yet the narratives also show the profound moral and social costs of such systems.

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