B"H

Friday, Kislev 29, 5779 / December 7, 2018

Happy 5^th day Chanukah. Being that tonight (Friday night) is Shabbat and we are prohibited to kindle any light on Shabbat, therefore we light the menorah before ushering in the Shabbat with the Shabbat candles.

Shabbat and Sunday is Rosh Chodesh. Thus, we take out three Torahs for the Shabbat Torah reading. In the first Torah, we read Parshat Mikeitz.  In the second Torah we read about Rosh Chodesh and in the third Torah we read the Chanukah Torah reading.

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 river bank.  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, it could 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!" 

SHABBAT  SHALOM - HAPPY CHANUKAH – A GOOD & HEALTHY CHODESH-MONTH

Montrealcandle lighting time: 3:52 / Shabbat ends: 5:01

B"H

Monday, Tevet 2, 5779 / December 10, 2018

Today, (Monday) is the last day of Chanukah.

The main mitzvah of Chanukah is performed by lighting candles. Through these lights we express our thanks to G-d for the miracle of the oil in the Holy Temple, which miraculously burnt eight days.

Our sages tell us that the war against the Jewish people, at the time of Chanukah, was mainly spiritual. Jews were prohibited to study Torah and observe the mitzvot which connect us to G-d. It was because of this that the Macabees went to war with those who prohibited the study and observance of Torah.

The soul is compared to a candle, as is written, "The candle of G-d is the soul of man."  Torah and mitzvot are also compared to a candle and light. The sages set the celebration of Chanukah with the lighting of candles. For it not only celebrates the miracle of the oil in the Beth Hamikdash, it also commemorates the victory of Torah and mitzvot (G-d’s light).

The following Chanukah story took place in a village in Europe many years ago. One Chanukah morning, a Chasid went to visit his Rebbe.  It was a cold winter day. The Chasid hoped to be at Rebbe's synagogue in time for the lighting of the second Chanukah lights.

Suddenly, big huge flakes floated down. The wind began to blow, swirling the snow in all directions.  The poor Chasid couldn't see the road, path which led to his Rebbe. He couldn't tell if he was heading in the right direction or not. Then night fell and the Chasid felt totally lost.

Meanwhile, at the Rebbe's house, after the sun had set, the Rebbe said the blessings, and lit two candles in his Chanukah menorah. Usually, after lighting the Chanukah candles the Rebbe and Chasidim would sing the beautiful Chanukah melodies, but tonight, he just stared at the flames. Then suddenly, to everyone's amazement, the two lights vanished!

Back in the woods, the poor Chasid was totally lost. He prayed to G-d for help. Suddenly, two lights appeared in the distance.  Rescuers must be looking for him, he thought. With a new surge of energy, the Chasid followed the lights as they moved through the woods and fields. But he couldn't see a soul, just the lights. The Chasid struggled on and on. Finally, he saw the synagogue of his Rebbe. At that instant the two Chanukah lights reappeared in the Rebbe's Menorah.

The Chasid burst through the door, "Oh Rebbe!" he cried.  "Thank you for sending people out to find me!" For the first time all evening, the Rebbe looked up. "I didn't send anyone. The light from the Chanukah candles helped you find your way!"  the Rebbe replied.

To this very day they still do! The lights of Torah and mitzvot which are represented by the Chanukah candles, direct us and help us find our way, so that we do not stray.

HAPPY CHANUKAH & HAVE A GOOD, HEALTHY & WONDERFUL DAY

B"H

Wednesday, Tevet 4, 5779 / December 12, 2018

Parshat Vayeishev which we read two weeks ago, Parshat Mikeitz which we read last Shabbat, and Parshat Vayigash which we will read this Shabbat all tell the story of Joseph (Yosef).

In Parshat Vayeishev, the Torah recounts how, as a result of jealousy, the brothers sold Joseph into slavery. Joseph ended up in Egypt where he endured many hardships. In Parshat Mikeitz, Joseph correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and was made the ruler of Egypt.

In this week's Parsha,Vayigash, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers, who sold him 22 years earlier.  The Torah says that at one point, "Joseph could not restrain himself anymore." He commands the Egyptians to leave the room to spare his brothers from embarrassment. Then he reveals his identity by crying out, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" The Torah then declares, "And his brothers could not answer him for they were frightened at his presence."

Joseph consoles them, "Do not grieve nor should you be angry with yourselves that you have sold me here; For to preserve life did G-d send me here before you." Joseph explains that, "It was not you who sent me here, but G-d; He has made me a ruler of the land of Egypt".

Joseph urges his brothers to hurry back home and bring their father, Yaakov (Jacob), and their families to Egypt, where he will look after all their needs. Jacob's entire family, numbering seventy souls, move to Egypt. Only now did Yaakov understand the apparent loss of his beloved son, Joseph, twenty two years earlier. Joseph had a Divine mission in Egypt to save the lives of many people, including his own family members!

This Torah reading should serve as a guide, inspiration, and lesson for us. Throughout life, we experience events which we feel, "should have, or could have been different." Parshat Vayigash teaches us, as Joseph told his brothers who sold him into slavery; "It was not you who sent me here, but G-d!" Our vision of things is very limited. Only G-d sees the entire picture.

In Psalms, King David states, "From G-d are man's footsteps established." Although it may seem that we decide where we go, King David tells us that G-d is really the One who guides our footsteps.

The story is told of a governor who met a rabbi walking in the street, "Where are you going?" He asked the rabbi. "I don't know," the rabbi replied. The governor became angry at the rabbi's answer and threw him in jail. The next day, the rabbi was brought before him; "How come, when I asked you yesterday where you were going, you didn't tell me? Were you mocking me?" asked the governor.

“G-d forbid,” replied the rabbi. "Had you asked me where I planned to go, I would have told you, but you asked me where was I going? You wanted a definite answer and only G-d knows that. You see for yourself that I ended up in jail... It was surely not the place I intended to go to…"

HAVE A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY SUCCESSFUL & WONDERFUL DAY