Greetings from the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. All of us at Adas Israel are grateful that you take just a bit of time to study Torah with us. Not only that but on Sunday evening we will usher in Chanukah. Much to share...let's go!
This week we read Parsha Vayeishev (Gen. 37:1 - 40:23). The word Vayeishev means "he lived" the first word in this parsha: "Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan. There is a stark reminder here of being permanent. While Isaac "sojourned" it was Jacob who wished to "settle down" but that was not to be. Soon he would be confronted with the kidnapping of his son Joseph.
There is a saying by Rashi: "Are the righteous not satisfied with what awaits them in the World to Come that they expect to live at ease in This World too?" And, so we see that played out here.
This week we learn four stories: 1) The selling of Yosef (Joseph) as a slave by his brothers -- which eventually positioned Yosef to be second in command in Egypt and enabled him to save the known world from famine 2) The indiscretion of Yehuda (Judah) with Tamar (Tamar) ... 3) The attempted seduction of Yosef by Potifar's wife, which ends with her framing Yosef and having him imprisoned 4) Yosef interprets the dreams of his fellow prisoners, the wine steward (who was reinstated and forgot to put in a good word for Yosef) and the baker (who was hanged).
Why Joseph was hated...a lesson for us all.
"Joseph dreamt a dream which he told to his brothers, and they hated him.... He said to them ... we were binding sheaves in the middle of the field, when ... my sheaf arose and ... remained standing; then ... your sheaves ... bowed down to my sheaf." (Genesis, 37:5-7)
Most of us have to answer to...somebody. A boss, a spouse, our community. Sometimes those we answer to treat us well...sometimes not so much. Our job is to treat others well and not "lord over them". This is what happened to Joseph. He, in his dream, reminded his brothers that they should "bow down" to him.
This is the mistake that Joseph made with his brothers and why they really disliked him.
There's a quick test you can take to know whether or not you're acting properly towards others. How do you treat people that you don't have to be nice to?
You can instantly learn about a person's self-esteem by observing just how they treat people to whom they don't have to be nice. Sadly, many people will act one way toward their boss and people they want to impress but then become demanding or rude when speaking to some others.
The better you can make others feel, the higher your own self-esteem will soar. It's a law of nature. While you might feel an artificial increase in your self-esteem when others bow down to you, the exact opposite is true. So start practicing the real golden rule, and treat everyone you meet like pure gold.
Something to consider.
Chanukah
On Sunday evening we'll once again start the celebration of Chanukah by lighting the first of the eight candles and displaying them in a window for all to see.
While not a biblical holiday it is still important that we understand WHY we celebrate this historical event.
In 167 B.C.E. the Syrian-Greek emperor, Antiochus, set out to destroy Judaism and incorporate the Land of Israel and its inhabitants into his empire. His soldiers descended upon Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city's holy Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls.
Antiochus knew that a mere physical attack on the Jews would not accomplish his goal. Instead, he decided to focus on destroying the structure of Judaism. How?
First, he prohibited studying and teaching the Torah. He likewise issued a ban prohibiting the practice of three mitzvot: 1) Shabbat 2) Sanctifying of the New Month (establishing the first day of the month by testimony of witnesses who saw the new moon) 3) Brit Mila (entering the Covenant of Abraham through Torah-ordained circumcision).
You see, he knew that he could destroy the Jewish people if he took away the observance of just three Mitzvot (Commandments).
But, why THESE THREE?
Shabbat signifies that G-d is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and that His Torah is the blueprint of creation, imbuing the world with meaning and values. Sanctifying the New Month determines the monthly calendar and the exact day of the Jewish holidays. Without a functioning calendar, there would be communal chaos. Brit mila (circumcision) is a sign of our special covenant with the Almighty. These three mitzvot form a foundation for the structure of Judaism. Without them, our cultural integrity would quickly deteriorate and dissolve, and we would slowly submit to the Greek culture.
Enter a family of Jewish priests.
Matityahu and his 5 sons, known as the Maccabees - would not have it. They started a revolt and three years later succeeded in evicting the oppressors. The victory was a true miracle - on the scale of present day Israel being able to defeat the combined forces of all of today's super-powers (this might also explain why the emblem of the State of Israel is a menorah). Once the Jewish people regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem, they wanted to rededicate it immediately.
But then the problem of only one flask of oil for the menorah.
You know the story...the people would not wait because they believed in G-d and wanted to "rededicate" the temple right away so that one flask of oil lasted for eight days...until new oil could be produced.
Today we celebrate this victory and our love of freedom not for one day...but for eight and we share it with the world. The stunning image on the right is from a historical photograph. It clearly tells an important story....
Adas Israel Chanukah Celebration
We'll have food and fun on the final evening of Chanukah the 30th of December. Make your plans to attend. It is open to the public.
Shabbat Shalom...see you in Shul!
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