Silent Support - Vayechi

 

Silent Support
Parshat Vayechi - Chazak

This week's Torah portion of Vayechi recounts our forefather Yackov's final years in Egypt. Yackov passes away and is buried in Eretz Yisrael. Eventually, Yosef and all his brothers, also pass away, and that era comes to an end. The portion of Vayechi, which is the final portion in the book of Berishit, concludes on a rather sad and depressing note. The era of the tribes has ended, and the servitude is eminent.

The Torah tells us in the last verse of this book (Berishis:50:26) "An Yosef died at the age of one hundred and ten years; they embalmed him and he was placed in a coffin in Egypt".

What a sad and depressing note to end the Book of Berishis! Couldn't the Torah have ended on a more promising and uplifting note? 

Our sages explain that actually this ending is far from sad and depressing, but rather, uplifting and one of hope. The servitude of Egypt was about to begin and it would be a difficult and challenging two hundred and ten years for the Jewish people. They would need all their strength and fortitude to survive. They would need spiritual guidance, physical resilience, and emotional fortitude to weather the difficulties of exile. And it was Yosef who would be their support and rock. The same Yosef, who protected and cared for them in Egypt would now be "with them" in Egypt as they went through this difficult period. So actually, Yosef's burial in a coffin, in the Nile Delta, is a message of hope and encouragement, as he would be there with his people. Yosef was supporting and silently encouraging them.

In raising children and adolescents, one of the greatest gifts that we can give them is support. We must give them encouragement, support and even as they mature into young adults, we must continue to stand behind our children and be there for them. However, the style of support changes as the child ages. An infant must literally be held and fed. A toddler must be put down for a nap. A young child must be redirected to do the proper and correct things. A teenager must be validated, acknowledged and encouraged. A young adult must be reasoned with etc. etc. Sometimes, the support comes in the form of just being there while our children make their mark on the world, branch out, and try new things.

The lesson of this week's parshah is that like Yosef, we need to be there for our children, family, and friends. While Yosef couldn't say or do anything posthumously, nevertheless, he was there for them, offering support, love and guidance. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Y. Marrus 

Silver Linings - Miketz-Chanukah

Silver Linings
Parshat Miketz-Chanukah

This week's Parshah, Parshat Miketz, opens with dreams. Pharaoh has two dreams and is perplexed and seeks clarity on the meaning of them. Seeking to ingratiate himself, the butler (who had a dream in the previous portion) mentions to Pharaoh how "a young lad, a Hebrew, a slave" helped me interpret my dream. Yosef is taken out of prison, brought before the king, and successfully interprets the dreams. He is then elevated to the position of viceroy of Egypt.

When we closely examine the dialogue between Pharaoh and Yosef, we see something remarkable. Yosef's interpretation of the dreams, that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, also provides a solution of how to circumvent the disaster of the impending famine. As the Torah tells us
(Berishis 41:33) "Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. And let them gather all of the food of those approaching good years; let them amass fine grain under Pharaoh's authority for food in the cities and safeguard it".

While some see Yosef's interpretation as seizing the opportunity to get out of prison, according to many commentaries, however, the "solution" to the problem was in fact part and parcel of the dream itself. Yosef advised how to see the positive element, avert disaster, and in turn was appointed the viceroy to oversee this emergency preparation.

What was it about Yosef's interpretation that Pharaoh related to? 

Some commentaries explain that Pharaoh had actually dreamt the meaning of his dream as well, but had forgotten. When Yosef interpreted it correctly, it awakened the memory within Pharaoh. Perhaps, however, there is something else at play here as well. While many wise men and necromancers offered varying interpretations, only one saw the silver lining and possessed the ability to do something about a negative situation. That individual was Yosef. He not only saw the impending famine, but also devised a plan to circumvent the disaster to bring comfort to his countrymen.

In the story of Chanukah we see a similar concept. Contrary to popular knowledge, Chanukah does not mark the end to the wars waged with the Syrian Greeks. In fact, after the story of Chanukah in 165 BCE, the wars and skirmishes continued, and eventually all five Maccabee brothers died in battle. If so, why the celebration of Chanukah in the first place? What was the celebration really all about?

Our sages explain, that the Chashmonaim focused their celebration on the miracle of the Menorah and the rededication of the Bet Hamikdash. While there were still many problems and challenges that lay ahead, they saw the silver lining and were grateful for the blessings they had. They had the wisdom to live in the moment and do something positive about it. The Maccabees were able to appreciate the blessings and celebrate.

Too often, we become so overwhelmed by our struggles and challenges, and are unable to see the blessings of our children and our families. The combined lesson from our Parshah and from Chanukah is to focus on the blessings. We must recognize the silver lining and goodness that Hashem bestows upon us.

Shabbat Shalom and Chanukah Sameach.