CLD #753

The Keli Yakar on one of the Pesukim from the Parasha we heard in Shul this morning, Parashat VaYeshev, directly connects with Hannukah. The Pasuk (Bereshit 39:5) discusses how Yosef HaTzadik was blessed and his master was even more blessed just for having Yosef as a slave. The Pasuk states that Yosef's master was blessed for everything produced in the home and in the field. A question arises. The pasuk states directly that Yosef was appointed to work in the home as a slave and stayed away from the field of his master. So why was the master's field also blessed?

The answer is written in the Parshan (commentator), the Keli Yakar, on this Pasuk. The Keli Yakar says that Yosef HaTzadik was special and there was a reason why the Pasuk stresses how the master placed Yosef in his home and not outside of the home. Yosef HaTzadik was 18 at the time where an entire year passed since his brothers sold him as a slave. Yosef knew that his father will be upset by his made up death. When he was in Mitzrayim (Egypt) Yosef had the opportunity to go out to all the parties, all the celebrations, all the fancy meals and all the great places to be but he told himself: My father in Cena'an is busy mourning over my made-up death and I will go party?! I am better than that. For this reason Yosef's master was blessed in the field and at home. Yosef literally gave up his party lifestyle and his youth for the sake of his father's suffering and stayed home.

The same thing happens in Hannukah. The Hasmonaim had to deal with the Greeks taking the women to the high officers to be raped before marriage. Because what did the Greeks do? Before any Kalah (bride) went into the Huppa (Jewish ceremony), she would be taken for the night at the Greek officers tent (Rahmana Litzlan). The Hasmonaim felt the pain and suffering of all the Jewish nation and their sadness over this evil decree and fought with the soldiers of the great Greek empire!

For this reason Hashem helped the Hasmonaim, 13 Rabbis, beat thousands from the largest and strongest army of the time. This shows us that 1) We don't need to look or act strong to be strong, because we have Hashem, 2) When it comes to purity and the sake of the Jewish family, we put nothing in front of us, we fight and 3) when we put the suffering of others in our heart Hashem blesses us. How much do we really care about our Jewish friend? Our wife? Our parents? The greatest work on Middot is with those closest around you. It is the wrong outlook on life to say "They are my family so I can joke with them" or "He is my brother so I can gossip about him" or even "We are best friends so I can embarrass him/her in public, it's just for fun." Hannukah is about caring for your fellow Jewish brothers and sisters.

Hannukah Sameah!

Shavua Tov!

Judaism=Think.

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