D’var Torah by Rabbi Zischa Shaps
Why is this happening to me? Have you ever asked yourself this question?
Parsha Vayeishev tells the story of Yosef and how he was sold into slavery by his
brothers. If we only read this week’s Parsha and don’t continue, we would be
missing the larger picture.
This week we read of how Yaakov showed favoritism to Yosef by giving him a
special garment and the brothers were jealous and upset with Yosef for his
behaviour towards them. As a result, the brothers conspired to get rid of him and
ultimately sold him as a slave. When he gets to Egypt things begin to look up a little
as his master gives him free rein in the house. But then again trouble strikes as he
is falsely accused of attacking his master’s wife and thrown into jail where he
eventually meets the Pharaoh’s Baker and Wine steward. Things look very bleak for
Yosef.
It is only in next week’s Parsha that we begin to see why all of this is happening. He
interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and predicts 7 years of plenty to be followed by 7
years of famine. Pharaoh is so impressed that he makes Yosef his second in
command.
Hashem had told Avraham that it was the destiny of his children that they would
have to experience difficult times in Egypt. In order for this to be accomplished, the
family of Yaakov had to get down to Egypt. If we follow the story we can clearly see
how events conspired to bring Yosef to Egypt and eventually Yaakov and his family
to follow. But as the events were unfolding, it was difficult to see.
When Yosef was thrown into the pit, did he think this is because I need to get to
Egypt.
When he was thrown in jail by Potifar did he say it is so I can eventually get an
introduction to Pharaoh and become the leader. And save everyone from famine.
If we follow the thread of the story we can see how over a period of 22 years,
events conspired to bring Yaakov and his family down to Egypt. Or perhaps it
wasn’t events that conspired but rather it was Hashem.
Today is the first day of Chanukah. The Chanukah story tells us of the victory of the
Maccabees over the Syrian-Greeks. If the miracle of the oil had not happened, what
is the likelihood, that people would have recognized that the victory of the few over
the many, the weak over the strong, was truly a miracle?
The likelihood is that some people would have recognized it but many would have
said those Maccabees can sure fight well. And ignored the hand of Hashem in
making the victory a reality. The Talmud tells us that it was the miracle of the oil
that made such an impression on the people that they recalled it a year later. And
that’s when the Sages decided to establish the holiday of Chanukah.
The likelihood is that some people would have recognized it but many would have
said those Maccabees can sure fight well. And ignored the hand of Hashem in
making the victory a reality. The Talmud tells us that it was the miracle of the oil
that made such an impression on the people that they recalled it a year later. And
that’s when the Sages decided to establish the holiday of Chanukah.
We are always living in history. Our challenge is that we usually can’t recognize our
role in history until many years have passed; sometimes after our own lifetimes.
However, if we understand that Hashem is orchestrating events and that
everything that happens has a purpose, we are able to handle the challenging
times.
As we light our Chanukah candles and recall the miracle of the oil, let us also
remember that the victory of the Maccabees was also the Hand of Hashem. And
just as Yosef may not have understood why he had to experience the hardships he
faced, we can be assured that there is a grand plan that will ultimately prove to be
for our benefit.
