Shalom Friends;
This week, our Parshat HaShavua — Parshat Mikeitz is being sponsored by Ayton & Ayelet Lefkowitz dedicated Lilui Nishmas Ayton’s Grandmothers: Chana Michla bas Zeev Yitzchak and Miriam bas Avraham and his Grandfather Klonimus Yechezkel ben Yehuda, and dedicated for the safety of the Chayalim and the liberation of all remaining deceased hostages and their return home for Jewish ritual burial, as well as for the good health and security of kol Am Yisrael. . To the Lefkowitz family, many thanks for your sponsorship and kindnesses through the years.
You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShavua.
Please forward to your relatives and friends and encourage them to sponsor a Parshat HaShavua. And please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details.
Best Regards,
Moshe Burt
olehchadash@yahoo.com
Subscribe to the Israel and the Sin of Expulsion blog, to ask questions or to sponsor a Parsha Vort at: olehchadash@yahoo.com
***************************************
Shabbos Parshat Mikeitz occurs each year during Chanukah, and often coincides, as it does this year, with Rosh Chodesh Tevet as well — thus we have a triple-header Parshat.
In last week’s Parshat Vayeishev, we learn about eight miracles which occurred to Yosef. His brothers threw Yosef into a bor (pit) seething with snakes and scorpions — and (1) the miracle of his emerging unscathed. This author has written in the past venturing that there were at least seven subsequent miracles that played a role in Yosef’s life and in his becoming Viceroy, including (2) who he was sold to and the sweet-smelling aromatic gum that was carried in their caravan, (3) his ensuing journey to Mitzrayim and conditions of his slavery — as overseer of all in Pontiphar’s household, (4) his imprisonment on false charges arising from Eishet Pontiphar’s unsuccessful attempts to seduce him, where he became second to the jailer, after being saved from death by the testimony of Potiphar’s adopted daughter (Osnat bat Dina). (5) Torah relates, in our Parshat Mikeitz, that Yosef is remembered, albeit after two years, by Pharaoh’s wine cupbearer for his translation of a dream resulting in (6) Yosef’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and his resultant ascendency, by Pharaoh’s appointment, to the position of Viceroy, second only to Pharaoh. Later, when all of the women threw down their Jewelry before Yosef in the hopes of being chosen, (7) he was won over by Osnat, with her metal foil engraved by Yaakov testifying to her holiness. And finally, like the flask of oil found by the Macabees in the Beit HaMikdash which by natural means would maybe burn one day, but burned 8 days; the final miracle (8) would seem to be the fortune amassed by Yosef as Viceroy which would later be found by the Jews during the plague (mako) of darkness and which would be carted out of Mitzrayim during the Yetziyat Mitzrayim.
Our Parshat Mikeitz with an excerpt from Rabbi Goldin’s Parsha Summary in his Sefer “Unlocking the Torah Text” (page 225) :
Yosef languishes in Egyptian prison for two years. At the end of that period, Pharaoh dreams of seven lean cows consuming seven healthy cows and seven thin ears of grain consuming seven robust ears.
Deeply troubled by his visions, Pharaoh turns to his advisors but receives no satisfactory interpretation. (Rabbi Goldin citing Sefer Breish’t, Perek 41, posuk 8)
The butler, remembering Yosef and his ability to interpret dreams, mentions him to Pharaoh. At the king’s command, Yosef is hurried from the dungeon [given a shave and a haircut and taken] to the palace where Pharaoh recounts his dreams. (Rabbi Goldin citing Sefer Breish’t, Perek 41, posukim 11-24)
Yosef explains that Pharaoh’s dreams are a Divinely inspired vision, fore-telling seven years of plenty to be followed by seven years of famine. (Rabbi Goldin citing Sefer Breish’t, Perek 41, posukim 25 – 32)
Pharaoh is so impressed by Yosef’s interpretation that he immediately appoints Yosef as second-in-command over Egypt with direct responsibility for the collection of food during the years of plenty and the distribution of those provisions during the famine. (Rabbi Goldin citing Sefer Breish’t, Perek 41, posukim 37 – 45)
Shem Mishmuel (Sefer Shem Mishmuel, Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein, translated to English by Rabbi Zvi Belovski) quotes from Parshat Mikeitz and cites The Zohar HaKadosh and provides commentary relating Yosef’s incarceration and his meteoric rise to position of Viceroy, second only to Pharaoh (pages 76 – 77) :
“Pharaoh sent and called for Yosef, and they rushed him out of the prison pit. He shaved and changed his clothes, and he came before Pharaoh.” (Shem Mishmuel renders to English Sefer Breish’t, Perek 41, posuk 14)
The Zohar HaKadosh explains… [citing Rabbi Abba on Tehillim 147:11] “Hashem shows favor to those who fear Him, those who hope for His kindness.”
How much does Hashem desire Tzaddikim! For Tzaddikim make peace above and make peace below… For not only does Hashem desire the tzaddikim themselves, but it is as if He turns His will to others [the tzaddikim] and desires to appease them.
Similar to this was the situation of Yosef, who was emotionally and intellectually depressed because he was imprisoned… When Pharaoh sent for him, the verse says… [he rushed him]. This can mean that they appeased him and answered words of simcha to him, for he was depressed from being in the pit…. At the start he was in the pit, and from the pit he arose to greatness. [Shem Mishmuel citing Zohar HaKadosh 1:194b]
It should be made clear that, at least in retrospect, the upset caused by events is always outweighed by the ultimate benefit that will accrue…. Difficulties in life pale into insignificance when compared to the end of the journey to which these troubles will ultimately lead. …Choose a difficult path in life above an easier one, for it is probable that this will lead to the greater long-term gain.
One may ask why… Hashem shows the sufferer only after the sequence of events that everything really was for an ultimate purpose. The answer is quite simple: for without the uncertainty that the sufferer faces at the outset and during his travails, there would be no test and hence no gain. If we know for certain (such as when Hashem shows us directly) that a problem that we are about to encounter has a purpose, it would be easier to bear and of little value. But after the test, Hashem can and does show us the value of our experiences. This is the appeasement described by the Zohar.
It behooves… us to bear this… in mind, particularly when embarking on a new and difficult situation, for it will give us the strength to shoulder any troubles which come our way. [By] emphasizing the ultimate value of every experience, … we can be certain that we will appreciate and overcome anything.
With the above understanding in mind, Shem Mishmuel (ibid, pages 85 and 87) now discusses the connection between Chanukah and Rosh Chodesh, including a citing from Chazal, as well as understanding the Greek animosity (noun: a feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or enmity that tends to display itself in action) and resultant persecution of the Jews, which let to their revolt, ultimate triumph and locating the one remaining unpolluted flask of oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol which miraculously burned for eight days:
Before the Chanukah revolt, the Greeks instituted harsh measures against Torah practices. In their efforts to stamp out Judaism, they banned the observance of Shabbos, bris milah and, curiously, the celebration of Rosh Chodesh. My holy father [Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein’s father] asked a pertinent question. It is easy to understand why the Greeks tried to eradicate the practice of Shabbos and milah from the Jews. They are exclusive signs between Yisrael and Hashem which openly display the special and super-natural intimacy they share. These were opposed by the Greeks, who perceived themselves as superior to Yisrael and rejected their claim to a particular relationship with the Divine. It is, however, much harder to comprehend the Greek opposition to the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. After all, the moon follows its natural cycle every month… with no interference from man. There seems to be nothing in celebrating the renewal of the moon that could incur the wrath of the Greeks.
He [apparently meaning Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein’s father] suggests the following answer: Chazal claim the ability to alter physical reality by controlling the system of intercalation [noun: the act of intercalating; insertion or interpolation, as in a series, i.e. to insert (an extra day, month, etc.) in the calendar]. For example,…. if… the Beit Din decides to lengthen the year by a month to ensure that Pesach falls in the correct season. The Rabbis, therefore, asserted power even over physical reality through the power that the Torah invested in them as guardians of the lunar calendar. This was most unpalatable to the Greeks, who objected to human claims to control nature.
…The Chodesh itself is closely linked to the nature and needs of Yisrael — continual and complex renewal.
Yisrael is likened to the moon. We use the lunar rather than the solar calendar. And just as the moon draws new life from Hashem each month, so does Yisrael. Just as the cycle of the moon continues indefinitely, so will Yisrael outlast all other nations. We say, in the monthly Kiddush Levanah tefillah:
To the moon He said that it should rejuvenate as a crown of distinction for those born from the womb [Yisrael], those who in the future will renew themselves like it. (Kiddush Levanah Tefillah from the siddur rendered to English in Sefer Shem Mishmuel, page 87)
The moon is the most potent symbol of Yisrael. It reflects our very essence, our future, and most of all, our special relationship with Hashem. It was this that the Greeks found intolerable. They seethed with jealousy at our claims to be Hashem’s chosen people, the nation of the moon. It is no wonder that they battled to eradicate Rosh Chodesh from the calendar of Yisrael.
This author understands from the vort of Shem Mishmuel that Hashem seems to foretell us of the revolution of the Chasmonei’im through the placement in the annual calendar of Chanukah, Shabbos Mikeitz and Rosh Chodesh Tevet in such close proximity and during the winter, or as we refer to it ; the rainy season.
In a similar vein (noun: a condition, mood, or temper, i.e. a vein of pessimism), we have suffered horribly (to put it mildly) at the hands of both Arab nations and murderous Islamic animalistic terrorists bent (adjective: determined; set; resolved, morally crooked; corrupt) on our eradication, and yet our Chayalim have overcome adversity and have triumphed militarily in major wars on all fronts. Our diplomacy — not soo much to date over our seventy-seven years of modern-day nationhood. And yet, we maintain, despite the suffering, with the knowledge that we ultimately will prevail B’Yad Hashem.
May our government and military bring about the total and complete, Final and Decisive victory over Hamas, their 7 October so-called “civilians(sic)” collaborators and the entire terror cabal, B’Yad Hashem, and become Totally self-sufficient as to manufacture of military equipment and aircraft, weaponry, munitions — heavy munitions, as well as showing independence of actions responding to any threat, regardless of so-called “super powers.”
May we see, from here on, that border guard personnel at all points of possible danger are listened to and treated with respect and dignity. May we see our Chayalim totally eradicate Hamas, Islamic Jihad, those so-called “civilians(sic)” who collaborated on 7 October, as well as Hezbollah, the Houthies, the Mullahs of Iran and all their terror accomplices while liberating the remains of all deceased hostages and their return home for Jewish ritual burials, B’Yad Hashem and mandated by a government secure in it’s foremost service of, and emunah in HaKadosh Borchu, B’Ezrat Hashem! And may we see the restoration of true unity within Am Yisrael. May these words come to fruition B’Esrat Hashem.
May we, the B’nei Yisrael be zocha that our brethren — the refugee families from Gush Katif be permanently re-settled in Gush Katif, once the IDF, by the Yad Hashem, destructs and eradicates the wild beasts of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, all other terror entities, and if necessary Iran, and that our brethren be made totally whole — be totally restituted for all that was stolen from them, that the thrice expelled families of Amona be restored to their rebuilt homes and the oft-destroyed Yeshiva buildings in Homesh be rebuilt, as well as the buildings of Yishuv Elchanan, all at total government expense. May our Chayalim return from battle unharmed — physically, mentally and spiritually and may all of the remaining hostages brutally taken by the wild beasts of Hamas be liberated and brought home to their families. Baruch Hashem that our dear brother Jonathan Pollard is now in his fifth year at home in Eretz Yisrael and continues in a new chapter in his life. May Esther Yocheved bat Yechiel Avraham have an aliyah in Shemayim and may her spirit and memory continue to lift Jonathan to at least 120 years. May the MIAs be liberated alive and returned to us in ways befitting Al Kiddush Hashem — as with the return in April, 2019, via Russia, of the remains of Zachariah Baumel, the recent recovery of the remains of Tzvi Feldman as well as the recoveries of the remains of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin from the Gaza War of ten years ago. May we have the courage and strength to stand up and physically prevent the possibility of Chas V’Challila any future eviction of Jews from their homes and prevent Chas V’Challila the handing of Jewish land over to anyone, let alone to enemies sworn to Israel’s and Judaism’s destruction and eradication. May we fulfill Hashem’s blueprint of B’nei Yisrael as a Unique people — an Am Segula, not to be reckoned with as with “the nations” and may we be zocha to see the Moshiach, the Ge’ula Shlaima, as Dov Shurin sings; “Ki Karov Yom Hashem Al’Kol HaGoyim”, the Ultimate Redemption, bimhayrah b’yamainu — speedily, in our time”, — Achshav, Chik Chuk, Miyad, Etmol!!!
Good Shabbos, Chanukah Some’ach and Chodesh Tov!
———————————————————
Moshe Burt, an Oleh, is a commentator on news and events in Israel and Founder and Director of The Sefer Torah Recycling Network. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Moshe is available for editing of English language documents, articles, manuscripts and more. Please be in contact with him at olehchadash@yahoo.com for your English language needs.
*********************************************************