Where Good Times Are Found
Parshas
Miketz
Posted on December 30, 2016
(5777) By Rabbi Label Lam | Series: Dvar Torah | Level: Beginner
The Mitzvah of Chanuka is: A candle for each
man and his household! (Shabbos 21B)
And these are the names of the sons of Israel
who came to Egypt; with Yaakov, each man and his household came. (Shemos
1:1)
It’s no mistake that the same Talmudic Language
used to define the requirement for lighting a Chanukah Candle is the very same
expression that describes how the Jewish Nation descended to Egypt: “Ish U
Beiso” “a man and his household”. In his Haggadah, Rav Hirsch ztl. notes that
the Jewish People were organized as a household unit when they entered the
exile and they were also configured as households at the time of the exodus
just as we find ourselves on Pesach ever since- not in a stadium but rather at
home!
About the importance of the home as a primary
survival unit he writes: “To inherit a home and to build a home – this
encompasses a Jew’s ethical vocation on earth. Is it not the sine qua non for
the hopes and perfection of all nations? If only this great Magna Carta were
consulted wherever education and culture, peace and salvation of men and
mankind are discussed. For the fate of men, their success or failure, is
decided neither in the chambers of rulers nor on the battlefield. It is not
decided in business concerns, in colleges and institutions of arts and sciences
or in houses of worship. It is sealed only in one place, in the parental home…
There exists no substitute
for the home, and if one is looking elsewhere for the source of peace and
prosperity, he is searching in vain. All of a nations politics and diplomacy,
its theories of national economy and institutions for mass education, its trade
and industry, its schools and community centers – none of these will save the
people from extinction if they let the parental home become a parody. Are
children born for the sake of the state’s false concern instead of the warm
love of parents?
Does the census show ever-growing numbers of
children without parents and parents without children? Does the nation’s high
society make a mockery of morality and modesty? If so, then all the palaces it
is building are founded on quicksand.”
A Chanukah Candle in the window shouts, “This is
a Jewish home!” Now what if there is there is a shortage of resources and one
must choose between lighting a Shabbos candle or a Chanukah candle!? Which
Mitzvah takes precedence? Here we can appreciate how Jewish Law-Hallachah
shapes our philosophy and not the other way around.
Both are Rabbinical Mitzvos of equal ranking.
The reason for the Chanukah Candle is to advertise the Miracle of Chanukah and
the reason for the Shabbos Candle is its impact on Shalom Bais- Peace in the
Home! When there is light in a home there is peace. Which value wins out? Shabbos
Candles because of “Shalom Bais”.
Years back when I was in college and a member of
a Fraternity- Phi Tau, (As the butler said, “Es Chatai Ani Mazkir HaYom, I
mention my sin today!”) Our Frat house was not the popular one! All the others
were giant mansions and on a Saturday night they were pushing in the front
doors of every Frat House to enter. Ours had the disadvantage of being like a
Swiss Chalet with a big picture window. People passing by could look in and see
nobody was in side. The emptier it looked from the outside the emptier it
remained.
Then we had a “genius” idea. A bunch of us
pressed up against the window so people passing in the street will perceive a
packed house. The only problem was that when they came in, they saw a group of
guys pressed against the window and an empty house. There was no way to fool
the masses.
On Chanukah we dare not advertise to the world
what we are not in our essence. Rabbi Avigdor Miller ztl. had said that when
you see people out on the prowl late at night searching for good times, don’t
be deceived. Similarly, if you find someone at 3 AM at the store buying eggs,
you know one thing for sure. They have no eggs at home. The home is where
good times are found.
Festival of The Reflecting Lights
Parshas
Miketz
We gaze at the delightful dancing lights as we sit
before the menorah and sing the traditional songs associated with the festival.
Many observe a special ritual of lingering in the delicate radiance of the
menorah lights while reflecting on their sublime message. But what precisely is
that message? What insights are the tiny flames meant to trigger?
Perhaps the very word “reflect” serves as a
signpost on our journey toward internalizing Chanukah’s spiritual treasure. To
reflect does not simply mean to contemplate or ponder. It also means to mirror,
or to reverberate. When we gaze deep into the menorah lights, what we should
see is a genuine reflection of our true selves.
The concept of facing the deeper truth about one’
true self comes to the fore in this week’s Torah portion, as well. This concept
is embedded in two words that are seemingly out of place with the flow of the
narrative. Yaakov’s sons face Yosef, the Eygptian viceroy, who treats them with
unreasonable hostility. He accuses them of being spies and throws them into
prison, allowing only one of the brothers to return home and prove their
collective innocence by bringing back Binyomin.
Yosef unexpectedly relents a few days later and
announces that the brothers can all return home, except for Shimon who will be
detained until their return.
The Torah records the brothers’ response to
Yosef’s surprising change of heart and generous gesture, as “Vayaasu kein,” and
they did so. The verse gives no further explanation about what the brothers
actually did. Instead the Torah continues to tell us that the brothers
immediately examined their past behavior and severely reproached themselves for
not being sensitive to Yosef’s distress when they sold him into slavery. They
now assumed that their present misfortune was a direct result of their past
callous behavior.
The commentaries explain that Vayaasu kein –
‘they did so’ indicates that Yosef’s brothers followed Yosef’s lead in
reevaluating the truth of their own personal conduct.
As viceroy, Yosef ruled Egypt with complete,
undisputed authority. He was a powerful unchallenged leader who could do
whatever he pleased. From the pedestal of absolute power he decreed that all
the brothers would be imprisoned until proven innocent. Yet, without
explanation he backed down. What was behind this sudden reversal?
Great people recognize that
everything that transpires in life is a message from Heaven that needs to be
carefully appraised. The brothers saw Yosef’s about-face as a clear message
from Hashem. If the all-powerful viceroy could have a change of heart and mind,
they too should reexamine their convictions, especially their firm belief in
their innocence.
Even if it involved an ego-bruising realization,
it was an exercise they needed to engage in. “Vayaasu kein” …. Like Yosef, the
brothers pondered their conduct and motives and found them wanting.
The word ‘kein’ means authentic and genuine – a
state of existence in which the external is a perfect reflection of the
internal.
When gazing at the light of the menorah we are
looking at a reflection of our inner self and beyond, to our very soul and the
G-dliness within us. Removing the obfuscating presence of our ego and negative
character traits enables the inner glow of the neshama to radiate through the
body and light up its surroundings.
When we gaze at the menorah
lights, we are internalizing the message of Chanukah-to bring the awareness of
G-d’s loving hand directing all aspects of our existence. Hopefully that will
lead to take a more inspired role in our daily lives. All too often, we are too
invested in our professed opinions and public persona to acknowledge our
shortcomings. By letting go of self-justification as did Yosef’s brothers, and
being emotionally honest with ourselves, we will be connecting to the message
of the Chanukah lights, ensuring that they genuinely reflect our deepest self.
When that self is aligned
with the awareness of G-d’s loving presence in all of life’s dimensions, the
Chanukah message will burst forth and illuminate all the inner and outer
shadows of our existence.
Wishing you a delightful and Freilichen Shabbos
Chanukah.
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