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I will suggest one answer that addresses both questions.
Chanuka, of all the Jewish holidays, does not have a Talmudic tractate of its own; a brief discussion about it is contained within the Gemara of Shabbat. In the midst of talking about Chanuka, the Gemara (22a) suddenly, inexplicably, turns to the story of Yosef & says, "the pit in which Yosef was thrown had no water; but it DID contain snakes & scorpions."
Huh? What is THIS doing here?!
On a technical level, the Gemara may be telling us that when you light the Chanukiya, it may not be too high, & it also may not be too low – such as at the bottom of a pit - because then other people will not be able to see it. And if they can't see the Chanukiya, then the crucial, added element of pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle, will be absent.
OK, that makes sense, but I still want to understand how Yosef fits into all this. So consider:
When Yosef first encounters his brothers in Egypt, he sees that they have not changed significantly from the siblings who cruelly threw him into the pit & sold him off as a slave. They still are at each other’s throats, fighting constantly among themselves & blaming one another. In Yosef's eyes, they are more "snakes & scorpions," hissing & biting each other, than loving family members.
And so he does not want to reveal himself & publicize the fact that he, too, is "one of them." That would surely not distinguish him in the eyes of the Egyptians, over whom he ruled.
But then the brothers, finally, admit their previous sin against Yosef. Led by Yehuda - Yosef’s rival in the family & the one who recommended that he be sold as a slave in the first place - they stand up in defense of their youngest brother Binyamin, Yosef’s only full sibling. Yosef now realizes that his brothers have done Teshuva & that they have finally come together in unity of purpose. At that point, Yosef is willing to unmask, & proudly "show off" his family to all of Egypt.
Chanuka – like the story of Yosef – is all about the tragedy that results when we are at odds with one another, & the miraculous things that can occur when we unite as a family, displaying our love for all the world to see.
As we here in Israel (here we go - again!) enter into pre-election mode, I shudder to hear all the rancor & ugly rhetoric that is already being cast by some Jews upon their fellow Jews. Let us internalize the lesson of Yosef & the lesson of Chanuka, and cast OUR vote for those who unite - rather than divide – the nation. That would be the greatest pirsumei nisa of all.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
