"Yosef's brothers raised their eyes and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilad, and their camels were carrying sweet spices, and perfume." (Bereshit 37)

Rashi asks why does the Torah gives us this seemingly needless information. Why do we need to know what the Ismaelites were carrying?

Rashi explains that usually, Arab caravans transported petroleum and other foul-smelling items. Now, when Yosef was about to be sold to the Ishmaelites by his brothers and taken down to Egypt, G-D especially sent a caravan carrying perfume so that Yosef would not be distressed by the odor of petroleum. One might think that this is a strange explanation.

Yosef, a youth of 17 had just been kidnapped by his own brothers and sold into slavery. He was on his way to Egypt, the world center of evil and corruption. His beloved father Yaakov, was at this point already 108 years old, and Yosef certainly must have despaired of ever seeing him again. Surely the last thing on his mind would have been the foul smell of the caravan's cargo!

However, for one who seeks to perceive the Hand of G-D in all situations, the sweet smell of the perfume was a wink from G-D, reminding Yosef that even now G-D had not deserted him. Even in such a desperate situation, Yosef was not alone. G-D was still with him, carefully crafting the circumstances of his life.

The amount of Yosef's suffering was precisely measured and did not include the additional torment of foul odors. This was no cruel, random event in Yosef's life, but rather part of G-D's Plan, even if he didn't understand it. The sweet smell of the perfume in the caravan was a wink from G-D to Yosef, telling him that G-D is with him and there is a Plan. Yosef's positive attitude in finding the subtle positive signs in his torment, was what caused him to remain strong in his faith in G-D.

At every turn of life's challenges, Yosef internalized the Divine Design. He is a living example of the way a Jew must always remember to stay connected to G-D, despite all the trials and sufferings in life. In every situation of turmoil, when one's life seems to be collapsing, there is always a whispering message of G-d's presence and love.