The Weekly Mission: Parshat Miketz, We have light!
Parshat Miketz (Chanukah), We have light!
Edited Rachael B. Goldberg
My holy friends, many of us are familiar with the Jewish people’s incessant struggles throughout history. Chanukah is one of the reminders of our nation’s grueling past. The Jewish people were oppressed and murdered for expressing their spirituality, and as a result, people hid their passionate hearts. Many Jews were also persuaded by the precious “gifts” that the Greeks had to offer and a spiritual genocide began. “Few against the many,” the Jews stood up for their passion. They were not willing to sacrifice their relationship with G-d and the Hashmonayim fought for victory.
The ashes of the Holocaust still float in the air, leaving many Jews feeling abandoned by G-d. We sometimes say, “If there is a G-d, how could something so tragic happen?” As a nation, we have been through hell on earth and we have entered yet another exile. We were sold into slavery and were uncertain regarding our destiny as a people. But then, light emerges, then a family in Binghamton, NY lights the Chanukah candles, and once again G-d opens the shades to reveal a little light and whispers, “I’m still watching.”
It seems that our generation also struggles with persecution, like the Jews of 60 years ago and the Jews in the times of the Chanukah story. The difference is though, that we persecute ourselves, through issues with our school systems, lack of Jewish pride and neglecting our spirituality and relationship with G-d. In our nation’s history, there were people who fought for all of us to remain Jewish, and now, we shorten our last names to disguise ourselves, we run from the mitzvot and not to them, and teach Judaism to our children only as a culture, instead of a spiritually rich religion.
The Kotzker Rebbe’s eight-year-old grandson once approached his grandfather and started crying because all of the boys were playing hide and seek and they never found him. The Rebbe said to his beloved grandson, “Little one, isn’t it just a game? What’s the problem?” His grandson responded, “Yes Zeidi, but they stopped looking for me and that is why I am crying.” The Rebbe thought to himself, “Imagine what HaShem feels like… He too went into hiding and all of His precious children stopped searching for Him.”
The first thing we all need to realize is that regardless of how we categorize or identify ourselves, “Conservative,” “Reform,” or “Orthodox,” G-d loves us all collectively and individually. We, as His children should seek His comfort and bask in His glory.
You may ask, “How can I connect with G-d? He is G-d!” But HaShem gave us a practical and intrinsic love letter called the Torah, which is “a tree of life for those who grasp it.” In the Torah, one can find the hidden combination that is the cure to our deepest troubles and impediments. Our generation is simultaneously the lowest ever and the highest ever. People dedicate their lives to the service of G-d, but others run away from it completely. But chevre (friends), we are in a time where we can’t run anymore. We are in a time that the light of Chanukah is so bright that reindeer on the rooftops can’t compete. In this deep exile, HaShem is closer to us than He ever has been. We must ask ourselves, what role do we play right now?
Joseph was sold into slavery to the largest civilization in the world in his time. Egypt was filled with beauty and wealth. During that time, Joseph went from slave to prisoner to Viceroy of Egypt. He was second in command to Pharaoh and still maintained the teachings of his father. Even in his lowly environment, he realized, “This is not what it’s all about.” He fought to stay connected with himself, but more importantly, to remain constantly connected to G-d. He remembered that ultimately, the only thing he has for certain is his trust in G-d. Because of this, he saved the world and the Jewish people from starvation. Joseph tried reminding both Jews and non-Jews that G-d was very much a part of their reason for existence. Even Joseph’s Egyptian servants recognized that G-d was responsible for their success and reminded the Hebrews of this.
“Peace be with you, fear not. Your G-d and the G-d of your father has put a hidden treasure in your sacks… (43:23).”
My sweetest friends, when we light the Chanukah candles and sanctify the holiday, we tell the world that despite all that we have endured, we are still here. Despite the hardships of our everyday lives, we show our pride by showing the passersby, “I am still here and I have light!"
HaShem has never turned His back on His children, but the unfortunate truth is that we have turned our back on Him. Whether you wear a kipah and tzizit or you have a mohawk and black nail polish, your G-d “has put a hidden treasure in your sacks” and it’s never going anywhere.
This week I will try to: Realize that spirituality and a deep connection with G-d are our religion’s foundation. I will strive to realize that even with all the hardships that befell the Jewish people, in the deepest sense, HaShem is always with us, and I need to keep His light with me at all times. Over my winter break, I will do something constructive to improve my relationship with the Creator, and I won’t stop looking until He is found. With G-d’s help, I will be more like Joseph and the Hashmonyaim. I will fight for my people, not the people of Egypt, not the people of Rome and not for the people of America! I will fight to discover and share my own G-d-given treasure.
The ashes of the Holocaust still float in the air, leaving many Jews feeling abandoned by G-d. We sometimes say, “If there is a G-d, how could something so tragic happen?” As a nation, we have been through hell on earth and we have entered yet another exile. We were sold into slavery and were uncertain regarding our destiny as a people. But then, light emerges, then a family in Binghamton, NY lights the Chanukah candles, and once again G-d opens the shades to reveal a little light and whispers, “I’m still watching.”
It seems that our generation also struggles with persecution, like the Jews of 60 years ago and the Jews in the times of the Chanukah story. The difference is though, that we persecute ourselves, through issues with our school systems, lack of Jewish pride and neglecting our spirituality and relationship with G-d. In our nation’s history, there were people who fought for all of us to remain Jewish, and now, we shorten our last names to disguise ourselves, we run from the mitzvot and not to them, and teach Judaism to our children only as a culture, instead of a spiritually rich religion.
The Kotzker Rebbe’s eight-year-old grandson once approached his grandfather and started crying because all of the boys were playing hide and seek and they never found him. The Rebbe said to his beloved grandson, “Little one, isn’t it just a game? What’s the problem?” His grandson responded, “Yes Zeidi, but they stopped looking for me and that is why I am crying.” The Rebbe thought to himself, “Imagine what HaShem feels like… He too went into hiding and all of His precious children stopped searching for Him.”
The first thing we all need to realize is that regardless of how we categorize or identify ourselves, “Conservative,” “Reform,” or “Orthodox,” G-d loves us all collectively and individually. We, as His children should seek His comfort and bask in His glory.
You may ask, “How can I connect with G-d? He is G-d!” But HaShem gave us a practical and intrinsic love letter called the Torah, which is “a tree of life for those who grasp it.” In the Torah, one can find the hidden combination that is the cure to our deepest troubles and impediments. Our generation is simultaneously the lowest ever and the highest ever. People dedicate their lives to the service of G-d, but others run away from it completely. But chevre (friends), we are in a time where we can’t run anymore. We are in a time that the light of Chanukah is so bright that reindeer on the rooftops can’t compete. In this deep exile, HaShem is closer to us than He ever has been. We must ask ourselves, what role do we play right now?
Joseph was sold into slavery to the largest civilization in the world in his time. Egypt was filled with beauty and wealth. During that time, Joseph went from slave to prisoner to Viceroy of Egypt. He was second in command to Pharaoh and still maintained the teachings of his father. Even in his lowly environment, he realized, “This is not what it’s all about.” He fought to stay connected with himself, but more importantly, to remain constantly connected to G-d. He remembered that ultimately, the only thing he has for certain is his trust in G-d. Because of this, he saved the world and the Jewish people from starvation. Joseph tried reminding both Jews and non-Jews that G-d was very much a part of their reason for existence. Even Joseph’s Egyptian servants recognized that G-d was responsible for their success and reminded the Hebrews of this.
“Peace be with you, fear not. Your G-d and the G-d of your father has put a hidden treasure in your sacks… (43:23).”
My sweetest friends, when we light the Chanukah candles and sanctify the holiday, we tell the world that despite all that we have endured, we are still here. Despite the hardships of our everyday lives, we show our pride by showing the passersby, “I am still here and I have light!"
HaShem has never turned His back on His children, but the unfortunate truth is that we have turned our back on Him. Whether you wear a kipah and tzizit or you have a mohawk and black nail polish, your G-d “has put a hidden treasure in your sacks” and it’s never going anywhere.
This week I will try to: Realize that spirituality and a deep connection with G-d are our religion’s foundation. I will strive to realize that even with all the hardships that befell the Jewish people, in the deepest sense, HaShem is always with us, and I need to keep His light with me at all times. Over my winter break, I will do something constructive to improve my relationship with the Creator, and I won’t stop looking until He is found. With G-d’s help, I will be more like Joseph and the Hashmonyaim. I will fight for my people, not the people of Egypt, not the people of Rome and not for the people of America! I will fight to discover and share my own G-d-given treasure.
Edited Rachael B. Goldberg
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