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But since when is it a problem to employ human means & enlist the help of others to achieve worthwhile goals? Does the Gemara not say, "no person can extricate himself from the pit?" So why was Yosef any different?
The answer is that Yosef indeed was different! All along the way, since the moment he was thrown in the pit by his brothers, Yosef had been the recipient of overwhelming Hashgacha P’ratit, close & careful protection by Hashem that saw him through numerous crises that would have felled any normal person. He survived the pit, the years in jail, the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife – only to rise to unparalleled heights. Yosef should have understood he was completely in Hashem’s care, & trusted that he would be safe – without resorting to assistance from mere mortals.
In my first rabbinic position in Ft. Worth, Texas, I met many fascinating individuals. One was an elderly, quiet man, who never seemed to show any anger or anxiety. He told me the following fascinating story:
"My family owned a respectable, productive ranch in west Texas," he said, "where we grew cotton & had a nice herd of steer. One day we were approached by a close neighbor, who had a much larger spread. He told us his family was small & so couldn’t handle so much land. ‘Would we be willing to trade our place for his?’ he asked.
"Daddy thought about it for a long while, & finally decided to make the trade. But while our old ranch continued to thrive, this new place was a disaster! No matter what we planted, nothing would grow. Some of us thought we had been fooled, & should sue, but Daddy said a deal was a deal & we had to have faith that G-d would make it all work out. We did our best, but soon we became poor."
"Daddy died & I became the head of the family. I did all I could to keep the ranch, since that’s what Daddy wanted. But it was hard going; we barely could scrape by. Then, 2 decades later, we finally discovered why nothing would grow. We were sitting on one of the largest oil deposits in all of Texas! Daddy was right after all; his faith did not fail."
We live in a litigious world, always looking to blame, to complain & to take action against anyone we think has harmed us. We don’t like being the "pawns" of society, but all the while, we lose sight of the invisible hand moving the chess pieces. That was the hard lesson Yosef had to learn; the reward for being loyal can be absolutely royal.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
