This week’s Torah portion is called “Miketz” “at the end.” *

After being called from prison to interpret Pharaoh's two bizarre dreams, Joseph foretells there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine and advises Pharaoh how to prepare for the years of famine. Recognizing his wisdom, Pharaoh makes Joseph second to the throne.

When the years of famine arrive, Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt to buy food. While he recognizes  them, the brothers do not recognize Joseph. A powerful inner conflict ensues within Joseph as he revisits the maltreatment he experienced at their hands when he was sold as a slave to Egypt. 

He accuses them of being spies and insists one brother, Simeon, is to be kept ransom and the youngest brother, Benjamin, must be brought back. 

The brothers return with the youngest brother, Benjamin, but again Joseph treats them harshly. The brothers speak among themselves that they are being punished by G-d because of their treatment of Joseph so many years earlier. They don’t realize Joseph can understand them.

The Torah portion ends with Joseph insisting Benjamin must stay behind as a slave.  

We see in this story how Joseph being brought to Egypt is in Divine order. As a result he is not only  able to help his family during the famine but also Egypt and the surrounding areas. 

As we delve into the deeper meaning of this story we see that Joseph must deal with all of his emotions from his past. He has moments of sobbing mixed with anger and rage. The brothers must also come to terms with their past maltreatment of Joseph. 

On our soul’s journey to reach the higher realms we must also come to terms with our past actions that harmed others and ourselves as well as actions from others that have harmed us. 

By aligning with or tapping into the energy of Miketz, we can receive help to deal with the emotions that arise revisiting these times. 

It is interesting that Miketz is usually during Chanukah when we not also revisit the past to remember the miracles of that time but to  connect to the Divine Help that was given to us then and is available to us today. 

Happy Chanukah! 

Rabbi David

* Every week a section of the Torah is read throughout the week. There are always many levels of understanding with each week's portion. The Torah portions also have energies that can be utilized to help us navigate though our daily lives not only during the week the specific portion is read but any time it is needed.

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