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MIKETZ “At The End Of”
19 Dec 2009
Genesis 41:1-44:17
I Kings 7:40-50
I Cor.2:1-5
When Chanukah begins and ends on Shabbat we read I Kings 7:40-50,
otherwise we would normally read I Kings 3:15-41 where we read " Then
Solomon woke up and realized it was a dream…."
This HafTorah is read on Chanukah because it mentions the menorahs that
King Solomon crafted for the Holy Temple. (I Kings 7:40-50)
Stories today begin in ways such as: Once Upon A Time; In A Land Far Away;
etc. Events in Scripture often begin with words such as: In those days
when the King sat on his throne (Esther 1:2); In the third year of the
reign of the King (Esther 1:3); etc.
In the story of Esther and Mordecai, in the Book of Esther, the events
tell of how G-d physically rescued His people from the evil Haman. During
Chanukah we recall the story of the Maccabees and how G-d saved the people
from a spiritual death.
At this season we remember the age-old story of the Maccabees who fought
valiantly. With G-d’s hand, they succeeded in saving the Jewish people
from spiritual destruction when the evil Syrian Greek King Antiochus IV
wanted to destroy them. He made a decree that any Jewish religious
observance in the land would result in death to those participating. He
even carried off objects from the temple. G-d’s house was turned into a
house of worship to the Greek god Zeus and a pig was slaughtered on the
holy altar.
Despite this time of darkness, a small group of men under the direction of
Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee, waged a war that eventually not
only brought freedom to the Jewish people, but also brought forth the
light that will forever illuminate the cause of righteousness and freedom
in the heart of the Jewish people and the hearts of the entire world.
This portion begins in Bereshit, Genesis, 41:1 “It happened at the end of
two years.” Joseph felt abandoned, forgotten by his family and his G-d.
He had lost all hope.
Many feel as if they have been cut off and have been placed under the
cruel edict of darkness in their lives. Some may feel it was placed upon
them by some cruel evil people who would rule and dictate to them what
their lot in life should be. Or they may feel that G-d has abandoned them
when they have ventured far from home.
Joseph was not only far from home, but cast into prison. As G-d redeemed
him and set him on the throne, G-d will bring you from your “prison.” You
have been set free and now have become a new creation (2Cor 5:17).
During this season of Chanukah, when G-d brought back the warm radiant
light of the Menorah into His house and set His people free, we must be
mindful that we have been set free from sin and bondage. Let your light
shine forth for all to see, that they too can be set free from their
“prison.”
Shalom U’Bracha
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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