When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This Shabbat is filled with many blessings as well, being both Shabbat Chanukah as well as Shabbat Mevarchim, the Shabbat before the start of a Jewish month (Rosh Chodesh), or “the Shabbat when we bless.” On this day during the synagogue service, we recite a special blessing for the new month and announce the timing of Rosh Chodesh.
This week we read from Parashat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1 through 40:23), the ninth weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings. According to Wikipedia, Vayeshev contains 5,972 Hebrew letters, 1,558 words, 112 verses and 190 lines of the Torah Scroll. Vayeshev (וַיֵּשֶׁב), translated as “and he lived“, tells of how Jacob’s other sons sold Joseph into captivity in Egypt, how Judah wronged his daughter-in-law Tamar who then tricked him into fulfilling his oath and how Joseph served Potiphar and was imprisoned when falsely accused of assaulting Potiphar’s wife.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Vayeshev for Shabbat December 9, 2023 aka the 26th of Kislev 5784:
“What challenges have you faced in your life? How have you overcome and succeeded in establishing yourself as a “whole person” despite the obstacles life has placed before you? These are the questions we ask as we read about the challenges of Jacob and Joseph in Sedra Vayeshev and ponder what our ancestors, the Maccabees, had to overcome in order to maintain their freedom.
Jacob errs as a father, by greatly favoring his young son Joseph causing enmity and jealousy by his brothers. They plot to kill him, but instead, at the age of 17, he is sold into slavery and is separated from his father and sent to Egypt. There he is faced with numerous challenges, but overcomes them, with G-d’s help. He is a handsome and intelligent young man and finds favor with his owner Potiphar who appoints him as caretaker of his home. Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce him and he resists, but is ultimately imprisoned on false charges. Even in prison, he finds favor with the chief jailer, and is discovered to have a valuable gift- the ability to interpret dreams. Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker are incarcerated for various misdeeds and each has a dream which Joseph interprets correctly. Meanwhile, Jacob mourns for his lost son, since his other sons, fearing their father’s wrath, have concocted a story saying that Joseph has been torn apart by wild beasts.
This drama is set against the backdrop of the story of Chanukah which we also celebrate this Shabbat. The Jews of that time faced the challenge of the mighty Greek empire and its pagan Hellenistic influences. They overcame the influences of assimilation, and the military might of the vile ruler Antiochus who paganized the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and sought to militarily dominate Israel. With a small military band of devoted soldiers, Judah Maccabee, with G-d’s help, overthrew the Greek army and rededicated the ancient Temple proclaiming the observance of a great 8-day holiday called Chanukah to celebrate the victory, and the miracle of a single flagon of oil which remained lit for 8 days.
Every generation of our people has been confronted by unique challenges. It is left to us, in our generation, to face the challenges resolutely, with the faith and unity demonstrated by our ancestors to overcome evil and tyranny. We must use this courage to help our family in Israel overcome the viciousness of the attacks and evils of Hamas and anti-semitism. We must unify and support our brethren in every way possible so that hatred and evil may not come to dominate the world.
Questions for discussion:
- Why did Jacob show favoritism to Joseph over his other children?
- How many times was Joseph sold before coming to Potiphar’s house?
- Why does Reuven come back to remove Joseph from the pit?
- How many extra years did Joseph have to remain in prison? Why?
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his shicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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