We the Hebrew people are known to be stubborn and stiff necked. There is no question that we have earned these titles by our actions. When it comes to following rules, we feel those rules were established for everyone else, but not for us. Isn’t it ironic that Israel, of all people, who have six hundred thirteen Biblical commandments, hundreds of rabbinic laws, tens of enactments and thousands of customs, think that common law doesn’t apply to them. Let me share an example of this attitude towards common law.

There is an anecdote that is told at this time of the year. A plane full of passengers has just touched down on the runway at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The pilot announces: ” those of you who are still in your seats, have a merry X-mas, and those of you who are already standing in the aisles……have a happy Hanukkah.” The rule on every plane coming in for a landing and then approaching its assigned gate is that no one is to unbuckle his seat belt until the plane has reached the gate and the pilot shuts off the seat belt sign and announces that its O.K. to stand up. Why is it that Israelites don’t feel compelled to listen to that rule?

It was the actions of others that brought about the events in Yosef life that would shape his destiny. Yosef seems to have no control over his tomorrow; he flutters on the wind of the whim of others. The backdrop of this weeks’ Parashat has been the stand-off between Yosef and his brothers. From the earliest times of Yosef’s life, he felt and experienced the animosity of his brothers. Through Nevua/prophecy Yosef was destined to be a king over his brothers for that time period of history. In this week’s Parsha Miketz, Yosef actually ascends to the throne of Egypt, appointed by none other than Pharoah himself. The dream, the actual prophecy that Yosef had was realized when his brothers bowed down to him.

As a teenager Yosef was not exactly popular with his brothers and he comes across as arrogant due to Yaakov being an over doting father. As with Yaakov, Yosef needed to undergo and overcome various trials as well as tribulations. It was Yosef troubles that enabled him to grow as an individual and grasp firmly his destiny. Just as Yaakov’s brother sought to take Yaakov’s life, so Yosef brothers desired to take his life. While Yaakov flees from his home, Yosef is torn from his home. As Yaakov spends fourteen years in service for Rachel and Leah due to Laban’s deception, so Yosef spends thirteen/fourteen years in gaol on account of a deceiving woman.

Trial and tribulation are the building blocks of destiny where the descendants of Abraham are concerned. Yosef coming to power is achieved through the actions of men other than himself; for it is Pharaoh’s cup bearer who brings Yosef to Pharaoh’s attention. But behind the actions of men are the workings of God. It is YHWH who brings the events that will mold- Yosef into the man he needs to be into being. It was YHWH who placed the dreams within the chief baker, cup bearer, and Pharaoh; and it was He who gave Yosef the ability to accurately interpret these dreams. However, it was Yosef – just like his father – who had to traverse and overcome his ordeals in order to conquer himself. Through his ordeals was Yosef tested by God. If temptation had grasped a firm hold of Yosef flesh, and had he succumbed to the seductive overtures of Potiphar’s wife, then Yosef might not have reached his potential which enabled him to fulfil his destiny – and who knows what the consequences would have been for the Children of Israel.

Even though there were times that Yosef felt abandoned and alone during his long years in prison, YHWH was still there guiding his future. Like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him – and just like us all – Yosef had to pass through his darkness in order to grow and be ennobled before he could enter the light and bring his destiny into fruition. 

The brothers, to the very end, could not accept the fact that they were wrong. Even as Yosef, prior to revealing his identity to his brothers, tried to extract an apology from them, they never showed true regret or remorse for having sold him. They thought they were right. Yet, despite their Svara – logic – they were really wrong. They lacked the vision and ability to see the entire picture that Hashem had painted. Therefore, they continued in their attempts to rebel against Yosef, whether they knew it was he or not. In Bereshit 42:10-11 “They said to him, ‘No, my lord! Your servants have come to buy food. We are the sons of one man; we are truthful; your servants have never been spies.” Only later in verse 42:21 when the brothers spoke amongst themselves did they say “we are guilty concerning our brother”.

If a person sins and recognizes his guilt, understands and admits that he erred, it is possible to forgive him. On the other hand, if he thinks he is right and remains steadfast in his conviction and rebelliousness, then there is no atonement for that person. When the brothers said to Yosef, we are truthful, Yosef came down hard on them and called them spies. Finally, when they accepted their guilt, Yosef was able to have compassion on them and forgive them. Later in Parshas Vayechi the brothers are still concerned that Yosef did not forgive them and was going to take revenge after Yaakov died. Perhaps they had this feeling because they were thought to be insincere earlier on.

A similar theme runs between Miketz and Shabbat Hanukkah. Parshas Miketz is always read on Shabbos Chanuka. The Rabbis of Blessed memory go out of their way to mention that barely one hundred years after the story of Hanukkah there were no descendants of the Hashmonaim left. This was due to the fact the Hashmonaim were Kohanim, and in addition to taking on the Priestly role they also assumed the kingship. This was a serious mistake as they had no business or authority to do so.

The lessons of Hanukkah and the story of Yosef and his brothers teach us a lesson: we must accept the rules and the laws of the Torah with a complete picture. Too often people feel they are authorities in every area, that they can decide and independently interpret what the halacha and laws should be and that there is no reason or need to accept or to obey laws or rules instituted from “other” authorities. We need to understand the full picture and to place ourselves within that picture: common law, respect for the conventions of the society within which we live, so long as those laws follow the tenants of the Torah, have the force of law.

Remember Torah is all about relationship NOT religion.

Shabbat Shalom!!!