One of the most striking things about the narrative of Yosef’s development, from immature youth (Bereshis 47:2-10), through various trials, until he becomes first officer over Egypt (51:43), is his very unusual relationship with clothing.
The narrative is bracketed by two different occasions when Yosef receives very regal clothing – the first time when it is perhaps prematurely given, and the clothes inspire strife, and the later time when it is, apparently, appropriate to his station and the clothes inspire widespread honor. And twice within the narrative of Yosef’s development an antagonist (or antagonists) with greater power strips him of his clothes and Yosef ends up cast into a pit.
What can we make of all this?
It may be that Yosef’s tale is intended, in part, to illustrate to us all that our clothes, and the messages they make about us, should not be a major factor in how we view ourselves and our roles in others’ lives. We will note that both times when Yosef is striped of his clothes, the action is preceded by his making very public statements about his prominent position (47:6-10 and 49:8-9) – prospective in the former case, perceived in the second. It is only when his character is defined by being both God fearing and modest, such as when he tells Pharoah that “It is not in me; God will answer the welfare of Pharoah” (51:16) that Yosef truly earns the regal clothes and the respect that goes with them.
In the Torah’s view, we must concentrate on the development of our character and our accomplishments and not allow ourselves to get distracted by the garments we are given to fulfill certain roles in life. Put another way, the Jewish physician and the Jewish judge may have distinguished coats, that convey authority and influence. But both of them need to keep in mind that, above all, they are obligated to operate as humble servants of a much higher power.
{This Dvar Torah was adapted by Harry Glazer from Rabbi Francis Nataf’s book, Redeeming Relevance in the Book of Exodus}