B"H
Friday, Kislev 26, 5785 / December 27, 2024
HAPPY SECOND DAY OF CHANUKAH! This week’s Parsha is Mikeitz. Being that tonight is Shabbat, and we are prohibited to kindle any light on Shabbat, the Chanukah candles must be lit before the Shabbat candles.
This Shabbat we bless the new month, Tevet. Rosh Chodesh will be Monday night, Tuesday & Wednesday. This Shabbat we read from two Torahs. In the first, we read Parshat Mikeitz. In the second Torah we read the Chanukah reading.
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.
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. 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.
Joseph puts his idea in motion. 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 brother's leave the Land of Canaan and 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 immediately reveal his identity 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. His brothers in the end came to Egypt and bowed to him, as he foresaw many years earlier in his dreams. It was all predestined by G-d.
Story: 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!"
SHABBAT SHALOM & HAPPY CHANUKAH
Montreal candle lighting time: 3:59 / Shabbat ends: 5:09
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW