Man’s Accountability to G-d

If there ever was a proof of man’s accountability to G-d, it would come from the story of Yosef’s revealing himself to his brothers.

The Torah tells us that he said the following: “I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?” The brothers were dumbfounded and were unable to speak. They could not believe that this was possible. They were filled with guilt and shame.

The Rabbis comment on this incident by saying that if men of flesh and blood are unable to answer their brother, how will be able to answer Hashem on our Day of Judgement?

There is accountability for all of our actions. We believe that each of us have a “book” in Heaven, where everything is recorded. We will be rewarded for our good deeds and punished for our sins.

There will be absolute justice in judging how we lived our lives.

The Talmud in Masechet Shabbat tells us that we will be asked a few questions after we leave this world. Did we deal honestly with our fellow man? Did we set up definite time periods for the study of Torah? Did we anticipate the Redemption by believing that Mashiach will come.

Reward and punishment is one of the basic principles of Judaism. Yosef and his brothers gave us proof of this reality. Time to wake up!