We have a law called the “Eglah Arufa,” literally, “a headless cow,” the sacrifice brought in a situation where a dead body is found in an ownerless field. No one knows who killed this person nor is he found in an inhabited town or village where people might know him. The law stipulates that the elders should measure  the distance to the closest town and the leaders of that town must bring this sacrifice – an expression of soul searching and cleansing – to ensure that the deceased person’s blood is not on their hands. Why and how? Because, while this person was found in an ownerless place, it is likely that he left from the closest town, and had they given this man proper direction, or perhaps sent him off with food and drink, his unfortunate fate could have been avoided. An interesting law to be sure. And it brings us back to the story of Jacob and Joseph. Why, you may ask? When Joseph was reunited with his brothers after his servitude and imprisonment in Egypt, they reported his fate back to Jacob who had presumed him to be dead. Jacob did not accept that he was alive until he sent wagons filled with goods from Egypt; only then did Jacob accept it. Wagons? Wagons in Hebrew – “Agalot” – is the same root word as (you may have guessed it) “Eglah,” the law we just learned. It was also the last teaching Joseph heard from his father before his saga. So Jacob was comforted that Joseph recalled his learning from years ago. But is that it? Could there be more to this story? There certainly is. By reminding his father of this law, Joseph was also showing him a principle that guided him through his trials and tribulations. Yes, he may have been alone in an ownerless land, but he was not forgotten; someone was concerned for him and that helped carry him through. This law teaches us a vital lesson. While the elders may have done nothing wrong, as elders, they are responsible for everyone who passes through their town. And so it goes today from both sides; as a community, we have the responsibility for those in our midst – who may need a check in, how is my neighbor feeling – and we must also feel the comfort that we too are cared for. Each of us has value and worth and are charged with making our unique contribution to this world. Joseph never forgot it and changed the course of Jewish history; let’s be sure never to forget it either. Good Shabbos!