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Parshat Miketz Chanukah Drash By Rabbi Denise L. Eger (2004)

Parshat Miketz Chanukah Drash By Rabbi Denise L. Eger (2004)

The Torah portion of Miketz is a very rich one, filled with amazing stories of our patriarch Joseph and his rise to power in Egypt.  After being sold into servitude by his brothers, Joseph’s sojourn in Egypt takes amazing turns. He rises from the depths of a prison cell to become the number two man in all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. 
 
Our portion begins with the dreams of Pharaoh.  A young Joseph, who was rescued from prison by the cupbearer who once shared a cell with him, interprets these dreams. Joseph explains to Pharaoh that his dreams are not just dreams but prophetic visions of the future. They are a message from God. If Pharaoh heeds them, he will have the key to his success.  The dreams prophesy seven good years of plenty and seven bad years of famine. But Joseph doesn’t stop there, he goes on to explain to Pharaoh a strategic plan for dealing with the good years of produce and as well as the seven year of famine that will ravage the land.  Joseph explains to Pharoah that there should be a system of reserves put away during the years of plenty and then a rationing system is the years of famine. Joseph offers this advice to Pharaoh and is able to rise above the petty concerns of the court and take into consideration the needs of the entire nation.  This is big thinking for a mere prisoner and it impresses the Pharaoh. The text says, “ The plan pleased Pharaoh and all his courtiers.”
 
And in the next breath, Pharaoh turns to his advisers and acknowledges Joseph’s insight and wisdom.  Pharaoh honors the fact that Joseph is possessed of the “spirit of God”.  Clearly, Pharaoh recognizes that Joseph has that something special and is determined to make sure that he uses it on behalf of Egypt.  Thus Pharaoh elevates Joseph and puts him in charge of the plan and makes him his advisor and confidant. At the ripe age of thirty, Joseph has risen to a position of immense power.  
 
The parasha continues with the story of the years of abundance and the years of famine and how Joseph followed his strategic plan and met with success.  But the famine was not limited to Egypt.  Thus is set in motion the reunification of the Joseph and his family as they come to Egypt seeking food.  While Joseph recognizes them, the brothers do not recognize Joseph. This sets up a series of encounters between Joseph and his brothers that play with their emotions and toys with relationship. Joseph sets up tests to see whether or not they have changed in their relationship to their father Jacob and to one another, especially to Joseph’s full brother, the youngest, Benjamin.
 
These encounters set the stage for the moment next week when Joseph will reveal himself to his brothers.
 
Joseph who is so straight forward in his dealing with Pharaoh is manipulative with the brothers who harmed him so many years ago. Can one blame him?  They sold him into slavery.  And yet, Joseph’s longing for his family and particularly his father and full brother Benjamin will eventually place these “tests” aside.
As we celebrate the holiday of Chanukah by lighting the chanukiah, we are reminded of the light of celebration.  What must it have been for Joseph to see the possibility of his connection to his family being rekindled after so many years of loneliness?
 
Let the Chanukiah remind us of the possibility and miracle not only of Judah Maccabee but the possibility that like Joseph, we too might be reunited and reconnected to our families in deeper ways—through the very celebration of this holiday.

 

Fri, April 26 2024 18 Nisan 5784