Rabbi Howard Morrison

In this week's Parsha of Vayeshev, Joseph appears to go down and down. At first, he is cast into a pit by his brothers. How could siblings, even if estranged from Joseph, do such a thing to him? The Torah informs us that the pit was without water. The good news is that Joseph will not drown. The bad news is that Joseph may die of thirst.

Soon after, Joseph is sold. The Torah informs us that literally, Joseph was taken down to Egypt, another level of descent. After an awkward scene in the home of Potiphar and his wife, Joseph is sent to prison, another downward spiral in his young life.

As we read about Joseph enduring and surviving in a pit and in an Egyptian prison, I think about the hostages who were and still are, God willing, enduring and surviving in secret tunnels and downward places under the reign of Hamas. Survivors have already reported their horrific treatment while in captivity. One can only hope and pray for the wellbeing and future return of the hostages still in captivity.

Among other things, Chanukah celebrates the ascent from lowliness and despair. We follow the view of Hillel who explains that we should light the Chanukiah in ascending sequence from night to night. The Talmud explains Hillel's view, "Maalin B'Kodesh V'Ain Moridin - We ascend in holiness and do not descend." 

May the remaining hostages soon ascend from that low place of physical and moral depravity. When that happens, we will truly say, "Nes Gadol Haya Sham - A great miracle happened there."

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach,
Rabbi Howard Morrison