Sibling Loyalty
Am I my brother鈥檚 keeper?
Yes I am!
Yes I am!
When he鈥檚 pushed to the edge when he鈥檚 out on a ledge
Can I help him to think with his heart
When he鈥檚 wrong when he鈥檚 right I’ll be there to remind him
That he鈥檚 made in the image of God
When he struggles with troubles
He needs to know
That his mistakes don鈥檛 define his life
I鈥檓 a living example that there is a chance for redemption
On the other side
Am I my brother鈥檚 keeper?
Yes I am!
鈥斺�淏rothers鈥� Keeper,鈥� lyrics by India Arie Simpson and Shannon Sanders
This excerpt from the song 鈥淏rother鈥檚 Keeper鈥� performed by India.Arie is a powerful statement about the mutual responsibility human beings have for one another. It also echoes a significant moment in Parashat Vayiggash. Joseph is overcome by Judah鈥檚 loyalty to his captured brother Benjamin. Joseph reveals his identity to his brother, leading to reconciliation of the long-estranged and fractured family (Gen. 45:1-3).
When Arie sings 鈥淎m I my brother鈥檚 keeper?鈥� she references the question asked by Cain when confronted by God in Parashat Bereishit about killing his brother Abel (Gen. 4:9). The exclaimed answer鈥斺�淵es I am! / Yes I am!鈥濃�攔eminds us of the moral strength demonstrated by Judah鈥檚 courageous actions in Vayiggash (Gen. 44:33). Judah is in effect answering a question posed generations before, demonstrating significant growth in moral responsibility and maturity.
Arie鈥檚 song raises questions (and answers) about mutual responsibility in our time. When we remind someone of the power of their heart, their likeness to God, and the possibility of redemption, we choose to stand up for and empower others.
