Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

The weekly portion of Miketz and the Festival of Chanukah always coincide. Commentators of the past have discovered parallels between the two.

Joseph had been summoned by Pharaoh after serving two years in prison. The Hebrew letters for two (years), "Shin. Nun, Tav, Yud, Mem," serve as an abbreviation for the Talmudic phrase, "Smol Nerot Tadlik Yamin Mezuzah - Kindle the lights on the left; the Mezuzah is on the right." In antiquity and in some places today, people light the Chanukiah outside the front entrance. Following the dictum, one is surrounded by Mitzvot on all sides.

Joseph interprets two dreams for Pharaoh. In one, fat cows are followed by and devoured by small cows. In the other, thick ears of grain are followed by and devoured by thin ears of grain. The parallel to Chanukah is obvious - The many falling into the hands of the few, as the small band of Maccabees defeated the mighty Hellenistic empire.

From the two sets of observations, we celebrate Chanukah as a season for surrounding ourselves with Mitzvot. Even when outnumbered, we must be diligent to stand up and fight for the freedom to practice our Jewish heritage.

Chag Urim Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison