Shabbat Chanukah 2007: Parshat Mikketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) Drash by Rabbi Denise L. Eger
This week we begin to celebrate Chanukah. This holiday celebrates post-Biblical events. The story of the Maccabees is not found in the Tanach, the Jewish Bible but in extra-biblical writings Maccabees I and II. These books written after the Hebrew Bible was codified are found in a collection of Bible –like stories called the Apocrypha. Ironically, Catholics will find the Apocrypha and the story of Judah Maccabee and the 3 year war to reclaim the Temple in Jerusalem for Jewish worship in their Bible!
Chanukah celebrates the triumph of dreams. The Greek-Syrians quashed the open observance of ancient Jewish worship by taking over the Temple in Jerusalem for their pagan religion. They oppressed the Jewish nation both overtly and covertly by putting pressure on Israelites to Hellenize and become more Greek in their ways. The result was often to the point of assimilation and loss of Jewish identity. The Maccabees clan, led by son Judah and his father Mattathias led a group to reclaim their Jewish identity and to fight the occupying army of Greek-Syrians who ruled the land of Israel in the centuries following the death of Alexander the Great. They dreamed of reclaiming Jewish life and Jewish self-rule. They dreamed of reclaiming the sacred temple in Jerusalem for Jewish worship to God. They challenged the greatest army of the time and in three years reclaimed and rededicated the nation and the Temple in Jerusalem to the worship of God.
Chanukah known as the Festival of Lights because of the rekindling of the menorah and Ner Tamid, eternal light in the ancient Temple, perhaps might be known as the Festival of Dreams Come True! But their dreams came true through organization and cooperation and being willing to challenge the status quo. The Maccabees led a revolt for freedom of worship that was ground breaking.
This week’s Torah portion in the book of Genesis, Miketz, is also about dreams that come true. Joseph, now in Egypt is rescued from the prison he found himself in because he refused the advances of his employer’s wife. Joseph was rescued because of dreams, specifically Pharaoh dreams. While in prison, Joseph interpreted correctly the dreams of fellow prisoners. One who was released, the chief cupbearer to Pharaoh remembered Joseph’s extraordinary talent when the Pharaoh of all Egypt begins to have dreams that haunt him. Not only does Joseph correctly interpret Pharaoh’s dreams of famine and plenty but Joseph goes one step further to suggest how Pharaoh ought to organize his response to the outcomes of the dreams. Pharaoh recognized Joseph’s God given talents and takes a lowly prisoner and former slave and charges him with the execution of his plan. Pharaoh elevates Joseph this week to the highest position in the land save for Pharaoh himself.
The confluence of this portion and Chanukah speak for themselves. The holiday and this portion are about dreams fulfilled. The Maccabees dream of reclaiming the Temple took battle but they with the blessing of God made this dream come true. So too, Joseph organized a plan of rescue for Egypt’s famine and he with the blessing of God was able to not only be rescued from prison but as we will see meet and reconcile with his family once again.
Faith in God combined with human endeavor can transform the world for good. This message is one we need to hear. Faith in our God can give us strength to overcome incredible odds. That is what both Joseph and the Maccabees were able to do. Their relationship with the Divine helped each of them focus their talents and strengths and their faith bolstered their weaknesses. Joseph had a strong faith that served him throughout his life. He was quick to recognize God’s blessings and offer gratitude for those gifts. Even as he participated in Egyptian culture, he never lost the spark of his Hebrew faith. The Maccabees’ faith led them to ensure that the Jewish way of life survived and thrived. They too were able to honor God and honor the Divine spark that dwells within each person.
Perhaps this year as we light the chanukiah we might rededicate our own lives to seeking and developing our faith in God. We might honor the Divine spark within us. As this holiday of Chanukah, celebrates the rededicated altar in the Temple, you might rededicate yourself to kindling your connections to the life of the Jewish people. Perhaps with the glow of the lights of your own menorah, you might begin with a small prayer of thanks for the faith of Joseph and Judah Maccabee and hope that their inspiration will help add to and help build your faith!
Happy Chanukah
Fri, April 19 2024
11 Nisan 5784
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Fri, April 19 2024 11 Nisan 5784
