Parashat HaShavua - Miketz
What attributes do we notice in our children and students when they are young, which we want to look after as they grow older? Last week we read that when Joseph dreams of superiority over his family, “ve’aviv shamar et hadavar - Jacob safeguarded the matter” (Gen. 37:11). In the first of those dreams, family members are sheaves of wheat bowing down to Joseph, the tallest sheaf among them. (Gen. 37:7) In the second, they are the sun, moon and stars, bowing down to Joseph as himself. (Gen. 37:9)
What was in Jacob’s heart when he “safeguarded the matter” of Joseph’s dreams? An answer to this can be found in the connection between the story of Joseph and Hanukkah, which always coincide. According to a Hasidic understanding of the oil of Hanukkah, the potential for miraculousness always existed within that oil, waiting to be revealed by God at the right time. So too with people, within whom the miraculous always exists; the only question is when and where it will come to light.
Jacob recognized the miraculous potential in Joseph. He was displeased with how Joseph expressed it to his family, and therefore rebuked him. (Gen. 37:11) However, the fact of that potential was powerful and undeniable, worthy of safeguarding. Perhaps this is why, despite the brothers’ obvious jealousy, Jacob soon thereafter sent Joseph to find them (Gen. 37:13-14); Jacob thought the moment had already arrived to unlock the miraculous (thank you to Chana Futterman for inspiring this idea!). His timing was off, though, as the brothers instead attacked and banished Joseph.
The right time came much later. This week in Miketz, after the brothers have - unbeknownst to them - already once stood before Joseph for food, they need to return a second time. (Gen. 43:5) They plead with Jacob to allow them to take Benjamin with them, because Joseph said not to bother returning otherwise.
Jacob finally agrees, sending the brothers on their way with the following odd statement: “may the Almighty God grant you compassion before the man, and he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin / et achichem acher ve’et binyamin.” (Gen. 43:14) Jacob here is talking not only about the remaining brothers and Benjamin returning safely; he also refers to “achichem acher - your other brother”: Joseph. And, indeed, now the time is right: Joseph’s miraculousness will finally be revealed and the family reunited.
May we, this Hanukkah and always, safeguard the miraculous in our children and the world; may we recognize that it can be revealed at any time, and that each of us can play a part in bringing it to light.
Shabbat Shalom and Hanukkah Samaech
Rabbi Jack Nahmod
Middle School Judaic Studies Head
Rabbinic Advisor N-8