On Thursday Nite the Shikkerdovid usually reads the Isbhitzer for some inspiration and preparation for Shabbat. The Ishbitzer comments on the beginning pasukim, “and Yehuda drew close to Yosef.”  The Isbhitzer notes that Yehuda overcame fears and took on Yosef. The Ishbitzer says Yehuda assumed he was standing in front of a hostile and gentile king, meanwhile it was really his brother who would never hurt him. Therefore, he was never really in danger.

The Ishbitzer compares this to the future when Hashem will redeem us. He will show us that we were never really in exile, only Gd alone ruled over us.

This is strong stuff. You are never really in danger. It is only an illusion of danger. Furthermore, the concept of a Jew is exile is also merely an illusion?  The Ishbitzer’s words are uncharacteristically comforting.  Is all adversity merely an illusion?