Mikketz
Genesis 41:1-44:17
Précis: At the end (mikketz) of two years of Joseph’s imprisonment, Pharaoh dreams of cows and ears of corn. The butler who had shared Joseph’s cell now remembers him and calls him from prison. Joseph predicts seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh is so impressed that he appoints Joseph as his chief vizier and Joseph goes about storing grain during the times of plenty.
Joseph marries Asenath and they have two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. When the famine comes, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to purchase food. Joseph has them brought in while he remains in cognito. Joseph accuses the brothers of spying, and sends them home after they leave one brother hostage and promise to return with their youngest brother, Benjamin. Upon their return, the brothers (including Benjamin) meet the still-unrevealed Joseph. Joseph has their bags filled not only with grain but also with the money used to purchase the grain and has a gold cup hidden in Benjamin’s belongings. When they are “caught” by Joseph’s men, they learn that whoever stole the cup would become Joseph’s slave, while the others return to their homeland. On this cliffhanger, the parasha ends.
This week, we celebrate Shabbat Hanukkah. Rabbi Daniel Nevins has written about the meaning of this holiday (MyJewishLearning.com, 1/15/12) from which this message is adapted.
He suggests that the meaning of the holiday changes to meet the needs of those who observe it. American Jews usually see the holiday as a celebration of religious freedom, and see Judah Maccabee as a champion for the rights of religious minorities (at least those not named Trump!). Many Israelis see the Maccabees as early nationalists, seeking freedom of their land from foreign rulers. Kabbalists view Hanukkah as a sign of light from Heaven, giving our temporal world blessings. Each concept has substance, but defining the “real” meaning of Hanukkah is really not feasible.
Historically, the Maccabees were traditionalists (some could call them fundamentalists) who fought against urban, Hellenizing Jews who believed that they were innovators of Jewish tradition. The Maccabees were not descendants of David, yet made themselves kings. Nor were they descendants of Zadok, the line of the High Priests, yet they assumed this post as well. And even though they were anti-Hellenists, they soon adopted many Greek customs themselves, including the language, names, and much of Greek culture. Some suggest that the origins of Rabbinic Judaism may be found in the Greek customs of debate and symposia. The Maccabees conquered adjacent lands and forced conversion to Judaism. They eventually turned on each other, drawing in the Romans and setting the stage for the end of the Jewish State. The Maccabees, like most Jews today in the Diaspora, seemed to live both in the secular society and yet sought to retain their uniqueness.
A final aspect of Hanukkah is that it shows the possibility and need for religious creativity. Whatever its historical origins, Hanukkah became a new Jewish festival with its own new traditions and liturgy. Simply put, the Sages invented Hanukkah, and decreed a festival for all generations to observe, demonstrating remarkable innovation.
Jews today should continue to adapt our tradition and ideas. Let the lights of the menorah spur us on to create ways in which we can enhance our tradition for future generations.
