Sermon – Vayigash: The Era of the Outspoken Individual

Written by Rabbi Hannah Kingston — 5 January 2025

It is the start of a new calendar year and with that comes a prediction of new trends for 2025. Not just which shoes were going to wear, or which coat will make the greatest statement, but the behavioural shifts thought to be coming in the year ahead.

Drawing on observation of, and immersion in, popular culture, Forbes Magazine published 5 bold trends they predict for 2025. Among them is the era of the outspoken individual, a prediction of more authenticity and openness, and a cultural imperative to talk about previously taboo subjects.

This ‘trend’ was led originally by celebrities speaking openly over the past year about subjects normally kept ‘private’ such as women’s reproductive health, the pressures of fame and success, and even conversations about UFOs.

And now it is predicted to move more into the public domain, with ‘normal’ people shedding light on the behind-the-scenes truths of life, parenting, relationships and so on. Forbes magazine predicts this will reshape the way we engage with one another and the stories we share.

It has become apparent that younger generations, especially Gen Z, reject the overly polished persona, favoured by former generations. The younger people of today have spoken about their disbelief in perfection and desire to see the real, messy and complex sides of the people they know and the brands they follow.

Alongside this want for authenticity, there is a drive to have all people represented, realistically, regardless of age, gender, sexuality. To show, warts and all, the realities of life and in doing so, for people to feel less isolated in their own imperfections and complex lives.

According to the predictions, people will spend this year revealing their more genuine selves, without fillers, without polish. 2025 is the year of revelation, a year of presenting our true selves to the world, with the raw emotion that comes alongside it.

This desire for authenticity is not new, as displayed in our biblical narrative. Time and time again, we encounter our imperfect ancestors, and witness their emotional turmoil, as they give us a lens through which to view our own challenges.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this is Joseph, who goes on a journey of revelation, ending in this week’s parasha as he finally reveals his true identity to his brothers. Through his process of self-discovery, we see Joseph indulge in his emotions, crying on at least 7 occasions. With each iteration of his tears, Joseph reveals a bit more of himself, his tears a representation of his increasing self-awareness and reflection.

We began Joseph’s journey to revelation last week, when we read of Joseph’s first encounter with his brothers. In that moment, he is moved to tears when they speak about how they had mistreated him.

But, Joseph remains guarded, not willing to show his true feelings yet. We read that ‘he turned away from them and wept.’ Similarly, when he sees his brother Benjamin, he goes to another room to weep, only reappearing when he is in control of himself.

Yet this week we encounter a shift and development in Joseph. Today Joseph is no longer able to control his emotions and no longer willing to hide his true self from family. As he tells his brother his identity, he weeps. And weeps once again with the realisation that his father is still alive.

But Joseph, has only come so far, not yet showing the openness of the outspoken individual. He is still holding back, as shown through the narrative of his tears, hesitant to reveal his true self to everyone. In a moment of guardedness, he actively dismisses his household staff before he reveals his identity, with limited success as when he weeps upon his revelation, ‘his sobs were so loud that the Egyptians could hear.’

If Joseph is unable to control his emotion any longer, why did he choose to dismiss the Egyptians from the room, not yet willing to show them his true colours?

Biblical commentator and Rashi’s grandson, known colloquially as the Rashbam, notices that until this moment Joseph had practiced restraint in all of his emotions, with no one seeing his tears. He now knew he could no longer restrain his emotions to his brothers.

The 16th Century commentator, Sforno agrees that Joseph’s decision was to keep his emotions as discreet as possible. He reflects that Joseph said: so that not all those hearing me cry can see that it is I who is crying.

Joseph’s act is one of self-preservation and protection. For although our tears act as a powerful communication device, they are exposing and often portrayed as a sign of weakness. Joseph has established himself in a position of power, and perhaps wants to hide his tears, in a belief that lack of emotion is what demarcates a good leader.

But again, we see a shift in Joseph by next week’s parasha, as he challenges this societal norm. Following the death of his father, Joseph does not try to hide his emotions, but openly weeps for all to see. He cries as his brothers speak to him, perhaps as he sees the rift between them, and hopes to repair it.

Joseph’s tears are never an expression of anger or fear, uncertainty or stress. Joseph does not cry to play the victim. Joseph cries at encounters of great personal significance, moments of renewed contact with his brothers, a promise of being reunited with his family again.

Joseph’s tears take us on a journey, of revelation and of self-acceptance. They show us how Joseph grows up through each week, how he develops to become more self-assured, and to act with more authenticity.

Shuly Schwartz, professor of American Jewish History and the first female chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, wrote:

Joseph’s tears are a necessary element in his transition to adulthood and to true leadership. Only when he has found a way to reconcile his … public persona with his private life, and his invincible power with his vulnerability, only then does he emerge as the biblical hero that fully ignites the empathy and admiration of both men and women.

In modern day culture, crying, especially by boys and men, is seen as unusual, and even at times taboo. Joseph’s narrative challenges this stereotype. What we see through the character of Joseph, is the acceptance of his own tears, and the growing knowledge that tears can be a sign of strength, when and if we choose to share our feelings.

In this new year, as it becomes more ‘on trend’ to be our authentic selves, may we learn from the example of Joseph, that we too can share our raw emotion and that sensitivity is not a sign of weakness.

May 2025 bring with it an openness, as we find the strength to share our voices through changing and challenging conversations, both in our families and within community.

And as we journey into the era of the outspoken individual, may we find personal acceptance and the ability to reconcile our private selves with our public personas, seeing our moments of weakness as times to build strength, and our imperfections as something to celebrate.