His master saw that G-d was with him, and that G-d granted
success to his hand, in everything he did.
Genesis 39:3
Joseph’s dedication and loyalty to his master was rewarded with betrayal and bad faith.
One would think that confronted by a world filled with falsehood and bereft of justice and fairness, Joseph would have been inclined to escape, fleeing to the solitude of the desert, or at least to seek revenge against his oppressors. Yet he did no such thing, remaining instead focused on doing his work faithfully, thereby showing the world that belief in G-d makes a person genial, resilient, idealistic, and reliable. Joseph became and remained capable of such seemingly superhuman behavior by studying the Torah. Throughout his years in Egypt, he constantly reviewed the teachings that he had studied with his father. The spiritual fortitude he acquired through studying the Torah enabled him to overcome every hardship.
Like Joseph, we too can maintain a consistent schedule of Torah study despite our other commitments. As it did for Joseph, this commitment will provide us with the strength and idealism to remain focused on our Divine mission of bringing light into the world, despite the disappointments and seeming injustices that life can present. Moreover, the Torah’s inherent ability to “restore the soul” will make us a positive influence on reality, inspiring others to tap into the source of our energy and optimism.
by Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky, Daily Wisdom Volume 3