VaYigash (1a): It's Always Better After

ועתה אל תעצבו... כי למחיה שלחני אלוקים לפניכם

And now, don't be sad, for Hashem has sent me before you to prepare sustenance.

The simple implication of the verse is that Yosef was telling the brothers not to be sad, "See? Even though you sold me out it's okay! I ended up being able to get food for you this way!" While this is certainly true, there must also be something beyond this elementary condolence. The Divrei Yechezkel of Shinov explains as follows:

Chazal teach that "עתה" is a reference to Teshuvah. The obvious explanation is that repentance and returning to Hashem create a fresh start. With this is mind we understand that Yosef is teaching the brothers a lesson in Teshuvah, for his statement seemingly would have been the same without that first word.

We are not supposed to do Aveiros. Doing the wrong thing is obviously wrong. When a sin is committed, shockwaves reverberate throughout the whole universe. Teshuvah calms that storm. One may think that Teshuvah returns the Olamos to the status quo, rectifying the damage that was caused through sin.

This however, is not true. The world without sin at all is not as lofty as a world that experiences sin and subsequently undergoes Teshuvah. Sin destroys worlds. Teshuvah not only repairs that damage, but it creates new life-force that pulses throughout all of creation.

This is the depth of what Yosef is saying to the brothers. ועתה, And now that you a have done Teshuvah, אל תעצבו, you should be inspired and elevated, כי למחיה שלחני אלוקים לפניכם, this whole ordeal has brought so much goodness into the world. Your Teshuvah didn't simply right the wrong, it created profound positive energies.

More on this to come...