B"H

Monday, Tevet 2, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / December 26, 2022

Today is the last day of Chanukah. However, the lessons of Chanukah continue throughout the year.

The Talmud records four different opinions about the proper way to light the Chanukah lights.  We go according to the Talmudic sage Hillel the Elder, that we kindle one candle the first night, two candles the second night, three the third etc. Hillel explains that we must increase the light each night, for in matters of holiness, such as mitzvot and good deeds, we must increase - to go higher and higher. Thus, theChanukah candles teach us an important lesson to be carried throughout the year; that in matters of good deeds, holiness and mitzvot, we must increase and go from strength to strength.

The miracle of Chanukah also teaches us that one must not be overwhelmed by the forces of evil, even when they are in the majority.  The Macabees were a very small army of fighters who were resolved to fight for good and holiness over impurity and corruption.  Because of their resolve and conviction, even though they were small in numbers they were victorious. In our personal battles, if we fight for the truth and don’t give up, we too, will be victorious and overcome.

Q.  Shabbat, circumcision, and Rosh Chodesh were among the mitzvot that were prohibited at the time of the Chanukah story. How does the Chanukah celebration express our gratitude to G-d for these mitzvot?

A.  As a result of Chanukah being eight days, Shabbat always falls out once and sometimes twice during Chanukah. The 8 days of Chanukah remind us of the eighth day of circumcision.  And Chanukah always includes Rosh Chodesh. Chanukah is the only holiday which begins in one month (Kislev) and ends in another (Tevet), thus Rosh Chodesh is always part of Chanukah.

On the lighter side: A poor yeshiva student in the shtetel (village) survived by eating a meal with a different family every day, as was customary in those days. The villagers were poor and times were hard, so no matter where he ate, he was served potatoes. Finally, Chanukah came, and he was hoping for a more elaborate meal. But to his dismay, night after night, he got potato latkes and more potato latkes. 

Finally, the last night of Chanukah he turned to his host and said, "What blessing should I make over the potato latkes?"

"What?" exclaimed his host.  "You’re a Yeshiva student and you ask such a simple thing? Everyone knows that for foods which come out of the ground we make the blessing, "Borei pri ha'adamah."

"I know that." he replied.  "But what blessing do I say for potatoes that are coming out of my ears?"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & HAPPY CHANUKAH

In loving memory of Corinne Fay Schneider– Chaya Feiga bat Tzvi Shalom – of blessed memory.

Yartzeit is today. May her Neshama-soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.

 Dedicated by her brother Bernard Schneider.

B"H

Tuesday, Tevet 3, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / December 27, 2022

In this week's Parsha, Vayigash, Yehuda begs the ruler of Egyptto release his younger brother, Binyamin, who was accused of stealing the ruler's magical cup.  Yehuda doesn't realize that the ruler is actually their long-lost brother, Joseph, whom they sold 22 years earlier, into slavery.

Yehuda pleads for Binyamin’s freedom. "If I return to my father without Binyamin my father will die." Yehuda offers to become Joseph’s slave instead of Binyamin.

After seeing how his brother cares for Binyamin and the extent he would go to protect him, Joseph forgave them for their earlier misdeeds toward him. Joseph then reveals his identity to his brothers proclaiming, "I am Joseph!"

Joseph then tells his brothers, "Hasten and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus said your son Joseph; G-d made me ruler over all of Egypt, come to me, do not delay.  And you will live in the land of Goshen and you will be near me... I will sustain you there, for there are yet five years of famine...'"

The Torah tells us that Yaakov didn't believe them and was at first skeptical when his children revealed that his beloved son, Joseph, was alive and ruled Egypt.  But in the end, "When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him; the spirit of Yaakov their father was revived!"

Later in the Parsha, G-d appeared to Jacob and said to him, "I am G-d the G-d of your fathers; fear not to go down into Egypt, for into a great nation I will make you there.  I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will surely bring you up again."

Q.   Why didn't Yaakov at first believe his sons when they told him that Joseph was alive?

A.   The Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon says, "The punishment of one who lies is that even when he tells the truth no one believes him.  Yaakov's children originally lied to their father. They told him that they found his garment smeared in blood, when in fact, they sold him into slavery.  Thus, when they told their father that Joseph was alive and ruler of the land of Egypt, he didn't believe them."

Q.  Joseph was separated from his father, Yaakov, for twenty-two years.  What did Yaakov do to be punished with the loss of his son for that many years?

A.   This was a punishment, measure for measure, for the twenty-two years that Yaakov was away from his parents (twenty years at the home of his father-in-law, Lavan, and two years it took him to return).

This teaches us how great the mitzvah of honoring parents truly is.  Visiting them and attending to their needs brings great reward.  It is the only mitzvah of the Ten Commandment which has a reward connected to it: "Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long upon the land which the L-rd your G-d gives to you."

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Tevet 6, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / December 30, 2022

In this week’s Parsha, Vayigash, we read how Yosef, who is the ruler of Egypt, reveals his true identity to his brothers. When the brothers return to their father, they tell him the wonderful news that Yosef, whom they have not seen for so many years, is not only alive, but is the ruler of Egypt. Yaakov exclaims, “Much joy and pleasure is in store for me, since my son, Yosef, is alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Yaakov and his family all moved to Egypt.  

Q.How many years was Yosef (Joseph) separated from his father and family?

A.Twenty-two years. He was seventeen when sold by his brothers and 39 when he was reunited with his father and brothers in Egypt.

Q.What was the difference in age between Yosef and his younger brother, Binyamin (Benjamin)?

A.Eight years. All of Yaakov’s children were born during the years he was with his father-in-law in Charan. Binyamin was his only son born when Yaakov returned to Canaan (Israel).

Q.How many family members were they when they moved to Egypt?

A.Seventy.  The Parsha mentions all their names, but we only have 69. There are two opinions on how the number seventy is calculated. Some say it was Yaakov himself. Others say it was Yocheved (Moshe’s mother, who makes number seventy. She was born as soon as they entered Egypt.

Q.How old was Yaakov when he and his family moved to Egypt? How many great grandchildren did he have at the time?

A.Yaakov was one hundred and thirty years. He had four great grandchildren at the time.

Q.How long did Yaakov live in Egypt? How many years did his descendants stay in Egypt?

A.Yaakov lived in Egypt for seventeen years. He died at the age of 147. His descendants, the children of Israel, lived in Egypt for 210 years until the Exodus.

Q.Yosef interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams that there will be seven good years and seven hunger years. We know that the seven good years were fulfilled. Did the hunger years last seven year too?

A.Yaakov (Jacob) came to Egypt in the second year of the hunger. When Yaakov came to Egypt G-d performed a miracle and the famine stopped. Thus, the famine lasted only two years.  

As many of you will be traveling these days, may G-d bless you to travel in safety and return in safety.  Enjoy your vacation in GOOD HEALTHand HAPPINESS. A HAPPY YEAR TO ALL.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 4:01 / Shabbat ends: 5:11