B"H
Tuesday, Kislev 29, 5784 / December 12, 2023
HAPPY CHANUKAH. Today (Tuesday) is the fifthday of Chanukah. Today we are over the half point mark into Chanukah, when more than half of the Menorah is lit.
This Shabbat we will read from the Torah Parshat Mikeitz. In the Parsha, Pharaoh dreams that he stood next to the Nile River and he observed seven fat, healthy cows emerge from the river to feed at the river bank. Seven lean cows followed close behind, only to swallow the seven fat cows. Pharaoh awoke and realized that it was merely a dream. When he fell asleep again, he dreamed that seven ears of good corn came up on one stalk and were swallowed by seven thin and scrawny ones. Pharaoh awoke and realized that this too was a dream.
When no Egyptian advisers or magicians could explain the dreams to Pharaoh, his chief butler, whose dreams were correctly interpreted by Joseph (Yosef), two years before while in prison, recommended that he call Joseph.
At Pharaoh's command, Joseph was taken out of jail to interpret the dreams. Joseph prophesied that seven good years would come upon Egypt when food will be plentiful. However, seven years of famine will follow. The famine will be so harsh that the good years will totally be forgotten due to the severity of the famine.
After interpreting the dreams Joseph suggested that Pharaoh implement a detailed taxation system during the seven good years to store food for the seven famine years.
Pharaoh told Joseph, "Being that G-d has revealed this to you, there is no one as wise as you are." Pharaoh appoints Joseph ruler of Egypt. He makes a decree that no one shall make any decisions without Joseph’s approval first.
Joseph puts his plan into motion right away. During the seven plentiful years the Egyptians store enormous amounts of food. Indeed, when the famine came, Egypt was ready. The country not only could supply the needs of its citizens, but also supplied the needs of the surrounding countries. Hearing that Egypt has food, Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him, as Joseph is now 39 years old and has been away for 22 years. Joseph did not reveal his identity to them. Only in the next week's Parsha did he reveal himself to them.
Lesson of this story: Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery to prevent Joseph’s dreams in which they would be bowing to him, from coming true. In the end it was G-d’s will which prevailed, and his brothers came to Egypt and did bow to him. Thus, we see that G-d’s plan prevails in the end.
Point of interest: The numerical value of the four Hebrew letters on the dreidel (Gimel, Shin, Hei, Nun) equal 358;The numerical value of the four Hebrew letters which spell, Moshiach,also equal 358. May we merit the coming of Moshiach this Chanukah.Amen.
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & HAPPY CHANUKAH