Yosef descends from the comfort of his father’s home into the pit, then into slavery, and finally into prison. Yet at every step, this weeks Torah portion repeats a powerful phrase: “Hashem was with Yosef.” Even when events appear confusing or painful, Yosef carries an inner light — a steadfast faith that his story has purpose. That hidden light eventually becomes the source of salvation not only for himself, but for his entire family and the world.
Chanukah carries the same message. The Greeks sought to extinguish the spiritual light of Torah, yet a small flame — one jug of undefiled oil, one act of courage by the Maccabim — pushed back an empire. The miracle of Chanukah teaches that a little light can dispel a great deal of darkness, and that even a small act of faith can change the course of history.
As we gather to kindle the menorah this Chanukah, may its light illuminate our homes and our hearts. May we see the hidden blessings in our own lives just as Yosef’s light eventually shone through, and may that light strengthen our community with warmth, joy, and peace.
You can still register for the Chanukah events below. Join our community for meaningful and enjoyable Chanukah experiences like no other!
Sincerely, Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Shabbos Times
Friday, December 12
Candle Lighting: 4:11pm Evening Service: 4:15pm
Saturday, December 13
Morning Service: 10:00am
Kiddush Lunch: 12:15pm Mincha Service: 4:00pm
Shabbat ends: 5:15pm
Kiddush sponsored by
The Kiddush Fund
Chanukah Fun Festival Parents enter free with their children. Kids: Attend wearing any FLJDC T-shirt and receive a special treat! Register Now!
A Bissele Humor
It was just before Hanukkah and Miriam, a grandmother, was giving directions to her grown up grandson who was coming to visit with his wife for the first time since Miriam had moved to her new apartment. “You come to the front door of the condominium complex. I am in apartment 3A.” Miriam told her grandson. ‘There’s a big panel at the door. Use your elbow to push button 3A and I will buzz you in. Come inside and the elevator is on your right. Get in the elevator and user your elbow to press the 3 button. When you get out my apartment is on the left. Use your elbow to ring my doorbell and I’ll open the door for you.” “Grandma, that sounds easy,” her grandson replied, “But why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow.” Miriam answered, “You’re coming to visit empty handed?”
WEEKLY eTORAH
Would you think that “how are you today?” can be a religious question? And that it plays an important role in a major Biblical narrative? In this week’s Parshah, Vayeishev (Genesis 37–40), we read the dramatic story of Joseph—the technicolor dream coat, the sibling rivalry in Jacob’s family, and Joseph’s descent to Egypt, sold into slavery. After being framed by his master’s wife for scorning her attempts at seduction, young Joseph finds himself incarcerated in an Egyptian jail. There he meets the Pharaoh’s butler and baker, and correctly interprets their respective dreams. Later, when Pharaoh himself will be perturbed by his own dreams, the butler will remember Joseph, and Joseph will be brought from the dungeon to the royal court. His dream analysis will satisfy the monarch, and the young Hebrew slave boy will be catapulted to prominence and named viceroy of Egypt. How did Joseph’s salvation begin? It began with the imprisoned Joseph noticing that the butler and baker were looking somewhat depressed. “And Joseph came to them in the morning and he saw them, and behold, they were troubled. He asked Pharaoh’s officials . . . ‘Why do you look so bad today?’” (Genesis 40:6–7). They tell him about their disturbing dreams, he interprets the dreams correctly, and the rest is history. But why did Joseph have to ask them anything at all? Why was it so strange to see people in prison looking sad? Surely depression is quite the norm in dungeons. Wouldn’t we expect most people in jail to look miserable? According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the answer is that Joseph was exhibiting a higher sense of care and concern for his fellow human beings. Torn away from his father and home life, imprisoned in a foreign land, he could have been forgiven for wallowing in his own miseries. Yet, upon seeing his fellow prisoners looking particularly unsettled, he was sensitive enough to take the time to inquire about their well-being. In the end, not only did he help them, but his own salvation came about through that fateful encounter. Had he thought to himself, “Hey, I’ve got my own problems, why worry about them?” he might have languished in prison indefinitely. Sometimes, says the Rebbe, a simple “how are you today?” can prove historic. It’s a lesson to all of us to be a little friendlier. To greet people, perhaps even to smile more often. Aside from Joseph’s many outstanding qualities which we ought to try and emulate, in this rather simple passage Joseph reminds us to be genuinely interested in other people’s well-being. And that it should not be beneath our dignity, nor should we be inhibited, to make an honest and sincere inquiry as to their condition. Who knows? It may not only change their lives, but ours.
