Friday December 13, 1996                                           Erev
Shabbat Tevet 3, 5757

Mikaitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)

Something to think about:

This Shabbat comes on the coat-tails of Chanukah.  As Chanukah flickers, the
Shabbat candles warm our homes.  Even the Torah reading  seems to overlap.

Each of the eight nights of Chanukah the second blessing over the lights
reminds us to be thankful for the miracles done "in those days" and "in
these times".  My teachers taught me that we don't merely commemorate an
incident that happened over two millennium ago.  We recognize that, this
specific time period is one that in "Hashem's calendar" is miracle-prone. 

This is not a time of miracles because Chanukah occurred at this time:
rather Chanukah occurred at this time because it is a time for miracles. 
[This concept applies to other events like Passover etc.]

This concept is also seen in the opening of Mikaitz.  "And it was after
two years, and Pharoh dreamed ..." Joseph had served his added two year
sentence. 

It was time for him now to be lifted from the pit of slavery to the
heights of Egyptian royalty AND THEREFORE Pharoh dreamed, which of course
led to Yosef's emancipation.  Was Yosef freed because Pharoh dreamed; or
did Pharoh dream because it was time for Yosef to be freed?  It was time
for Yosef's redemption so the events that led to his freedom were set
into motion. 

Certainly in our history as well as in our own lives, we have experienced
miracles. {read "Miracles" by Walt Whitman)  Sometimes we initiate the
episode by our actions.  In terms of Jewish mysticism this is called "an
awakening form below".  Other times the event seems to start without our
initiation.  This is called "an awakening from above".  Chanukah is
considered the latter. 

At this time of year, this divinely inspired spiritual victory can free
us, like Yosef, from our own slavery even when we don't do anything to
start the process.  Still, when the opportunity presents itself, we must
at least reach out and accept it.  

Candle lighting-4:49 Shabbat Ends-5:52

Good Shabbos!!  Rabbi Hirsh Michel Chinn