B"H
Wednesday, Tevet 1, 5784 / December 13, 2023
Today is the sixth day of Chanukah. Today is also Rosh Chodesh – the first day of the month Tevet.
There is always a Rosh Chodesh during the Chanukah holiday. In fact, one of the many mitzvot Jews were prohibited from keeping at that time was the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. When G-d performed the miracle of Chanukah, the prohibition of Rosh Chodesh was also removed. By Divine Providence, one of the eight days of Chanukah is Rosh Chodesh, thus, commemorating this mitzvah too.
Two Torahs will be removed from the ark for this morning’s service.In the first Torah we read the Rosh Chodesh reading. In the second Torah the Chanukah reading is read.
This week's Parsha is Parshat Mikeitz. In the Parsha, Pharaoh had a dream that while he stood next to the Nile River, he observed seven fat, healthy-looking cows emerge from the river to feed at the riverbank. Seven lean cows followed, only to swallow the seven fat cows. He also dreamt 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 it was all a dream.
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams. Seven good years would come upon Egypt when food will be plentiful. However, seven years of famine will follow. Joseph suggests that Pharaoh implement a detailed taxation system during the seven good years to store food for the famine. Pharaoh appoints Joseph ruler of Egypt.
Indeed, when the famine came, Egypt was ready. The country not only could supply the needs of its citizens, but it could also supply the needs of the surrounding countries. Hearing that Egypt has food, Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognizes his siblings, 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 next week's Parsha, Vayigash, we read how Joseph revealed himself to them.
The Parsha teaches us that although the brothers sold Joseph into slavery to prevent his dreams from coming true, in the end it was G-d’s will which prevailed, and his dreams did come true.
The brothers, Rabbi Elimelech and Rabbi Zusia were two great Chassidic Rabbis. One cold night, they stopped at an inn, during one of their travels, and rested near the fireplace. That night, a party of local peasants took place at the inn. Every once in a while, during the party, the drunken peasants made a circle and danced. One of them kicked Rabbi Zusia every time he passed him by.
After a while, Rabbi Elimelech couldn't bear his brother's pain. "Zusia, it is not fair that you should get all the beatings. Let's exchange places," he suggested. They changed places. However, the next time around, the drunken peasant said, "It's not fair that I should continuously hit the same one. I should kick the other one, too!" Once again, Rabbi Zusia got the blows! "You see," Rabbi Zusia said to his brother, "One cannot outsmart G-d! What is Bashert (destined) for Zusia will come to Zusia!"
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
HAPPY CHANUKAH - MAY WE INDEED SEE GREAT MIRACLES IN ISRAEL