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Volume I, Issue 24

Parshas Mikeitz

PARSHA INSIGHTS

"All the land of Egypt hungered, and the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread. So Pharaoh said to all of Egypt, 'Go to Yosef. Whatever he says to you, you should do' " (Mikeitz (41,55). Rashi, citing a Midrash (Bereishis Rabba 9,15), explains that the verse "Whatever he says to you, you should do'" indicates that Yosef told the Egyptians that they should have themselves circumcised before he would give them food.

This command by Yosef is very difficult to comprehend. What did Yosef wish to accomplish by requiring the Egyptians to be circumcised? Yosef was definitely not attempting to convert the Egyptians, since a conversion which is forced is not valid, as Rav Yacov Kaminetzky zt"l explains.

The Yifeh To'ar states that Yosef did not actually circumcise the Egyptians; he preached to them about the evils of their licentious behavior. Since Egyptian society was more promiscuous than all other societies, as documented by the Torah (Lech Lecha 12,19 and Achrei Mos 18,3), Yosef sought to eradicate this behavior. Why was Yosef so interested in uprooting promiscuity from Egyptian society?

Rav Kaminetzky states that the Mekubalim write that the reason Hashem arranged for Yosef to precede his family to Egypt was for the sole purpose of making their living in exile as easy and comfortable as possible. An environment which fosters and encourages improper behavior would definitely make life difficult, spiritually speaking. In order to accommodate his family's sensitivity to holiness, Yosef made it a point to correct and uproot the Egyptians' promiscuous behavior.

This concept that Hashem desired to reduce the pains of exile is found elsewhere in the Parsha, as well. The attitude towards the Jews, which existed prior to Yacov and his family's coming to Egypt, was one of ridicule and disdain. This "looking down" upon the Jews by the Egyptians is clearly seen by the fact that the Egyptians would not allow the Jews to eat with them. The Egyptians also constantly used a derogatory term - "Ivri," when addressing and referring to the Jews. Potiphar's wife labeled Yosef an "ish Ivri" (Vayeishev 39,14) and the sar hamashkim called him a "naar Ivri" (Mikeitz 41,12). This attitude towards the Jews was borne out of the enormous arrogance of the Egyptian people. This haughtiness would also make it very difficult for the B'nei Yisroel to lead a comfortable life in Egypt.

Hashem devised a plan by which to eradicate this anti-Jewish sentiment. Since Egypt was the "breadbasket of the world" (Kesuvos 111a), the Egyptians felt that they were the source of sustenance to the entire world. This attitude also contributed to the arrogance of the Egyptians, and therefore, for this reason, Hashem specifically struck Egypt with a famine. A blow of such proportion would be a sobering wake up call to the Egyptians that they were not supreme. To further this humiliation, Hashem, through Pharaoh, placed Yosef in control of the food, so that the Egyptians would need to come on to a Jew for sustenance. Dispersing the Egyptians all over the land of Egypt was also a plan by Yosef to reduce the arrogance of the Egyptians over the Jews, since exile brings humility to man (Rambam Hilchos Teshuva 2,4). Breaking the conceited attitude of the Egyptians and ridding the Egyptian environment of promiscuity were actions by Hashem and Yosef to make Bnei Yisroel a bit more comfortable, spiritually and emotionally, during their exile.


The jug of oil that the Chashmonayim found contained enough oil to burn for one day. In light of this fact, the Bais Yosef asks why is Chanukah celebrated for eight days instead of seven?

Although there are a variety of answers, the Gemora (Shabbos 21B) provides an answer that contains an insight into the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people. The Gemora states, "For when the Greeks entered the Sanctuary, they contaminated all the (flasks of) oil that were in the Sanctuary, and when the Royal Chashmonayim house gained the upper hand and vanquished them, (the Chashmonayim) 'searched' (the Heichel area) and found only one flask of oil that was lying (out of sight) with the Kohen Gadol's seal (still intact)." In reality, the word "searched" is unnecessary, since the omission of "searched" will not alter the meaning of the sentence - "and when the Royal Chashmonayim house gained the upper hand and vanquished them, (the Chashmonayim) found only one flask of oil…"

The extra word "searched" teaches us that the searching itself was a miracle. The fact that the Jews had been under Greek domination for fifty three years (Rambam in Igeres Teiman) would have been sufficient to break their will and desire to perform mitzvos at all. However, not only did they seek to perform the mitzvah of rekindling the menorah upon regaining control of the Beis Hamikdash, they desired to execute this mitzvah in the most desirable way - with pure olive oil sealed by the Kohen Godol. They searched and explored until they finally found a flask filled with oil suitable for lighting the menorah. Even after many years of oppression and hardship under Greek oppression, the Jewish soul had not been extinguished and burned ever so bright - a true miracle for which we celebrate on the first day of Chanukah.

TABLE TALK

THE DILEMMA
(What is permitted to do in this situation?)

Boruch was backing out of his driveway in his mini-van when he heard a cracking sound coming from his back wheel. Boruch got out of his car and discovered that his neighbor's six year old child had left a scooter underneath the back wheel of Boruch's van. The only way possible for Boruch to have noticed the scooter prior to backing out, would have been to have actually looked behind the back wheel. Is Boruch obligated to pay for damaging the scooter?

Would you answer be different if the scooter had been left by a teenager?

What would be the halacha if the same scenario happened with one slight difference - Boruch's mini-van was parked in the street in front of his house and he backed up over the scooter?

Would the above answer also apply if Boruch was parked a bit down the block, not in front of his house, and backed up over the scooter?

Would your answer be the same if the scooter belonged to a non-Jewish child?

(Consult your Rav for a proper halachic ruling)

WHO AM I?
(Guess who I am from the following clues)

1. My existence is mundane but spiritual.
2. I am not equal.
3. When it comes to a mitzvah everyone holds by me.
4. I help safeguard your observance.

(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue)

Last week's clues and answer: I have a "poor" foundation; My protection is now only spiritual; I have remained despite the fall of others; I contain more notes than an entire opera - The Kosel Ha'maaravi

Congratulations to the Bein Brothers, the Brejt Family, Mrs. Miriam Elbaz, the Hefter Family, Mr. Boruch Kramer, Dovid Kramer, Mr. Eric Mack, the Mann Family and Mr. Neil Parks

CAN YOU SAY THAT?
(How well do you know hilchos Shmiras Halashon?)

Shimon and Levi witness Yehuda stealing and testify about this incident at a beis din (a Torah court). Can Shimon and Levi repeat this testimony to others outside of beis din?

Answer: No. This would be loshon hora and it is not permitted to believe their words. However, those who hear the report should take proper precautions to prevent damage to themselves.

(Apples of Gold citing Sefer Chofetz Chaim - hilchos loshon hora)

TORAH RIDDLE

How is it possible for a woman to have two husbands at the same time?

(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue)

Last week's question and answer: How is it possible for someone to be obligated to recite only an al hamichya after he had washed, said hamotzi and ate at least a k'zayis? If someone intends to eat an amount of cake (or any other mezonos food) that would require him to bentsch, and before eating that required amount decides not to eat anymore, then he should only recite an al hamichya.

Congratulations to the Hefter Family

THE KOLLEL FAMILY

MAZEL TOV

Mr. & Mrs. Yosef Abraham on the engagement of their daughter, Raizie

WELCOME

Mr. and Mrs. Shmuel Halpern

Mr. and Mrs. Yossi Ireland

Mr. and Mrs. Yechezkel Levovitz

REFUA SHLEIMA

Mr. Tzvi Elimelech (Sydney) Greenberger

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD


CEDAR-GREEN COMMUNITY KOLLEL
proudly presents
AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION
featuring
RABBI YISSOCHER FRAND

SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 2002
GREEN ROAD SYNAGOGUE
(RESERVE THE DATE)

************************************************

The Cedar-Green Community Kollel Friday Evening Parsha Classes will convene this week at 8:00

*The Huntington-Green Apartments

Rabbi Levi's group……….Contact Rabbi Levi 381-1617

Rabbi Nadoff's group……Contact Rabbi Nadoff 291-2692

Rabbi Newman's group….Contact Rabbi Newman 381-4497

*University Heights………..Contact Rabbi Charlop 291-8981

(Please inform us if you wish to have a happy or solemn occasion or a community or personal event posted on the Community Bulletin Board - Thank you.)

To sponsor an issue of Oneg Shabbos, please contact Leib Chaim Krainess, Director of Kollel Development at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net.
To receive Oneg Shabbos by e-mail, please provide us with your e-mail address by contacting us at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net

THIS WEEK'S ONEG SHABBOS IS SPONSORED BY
MRS. ELKA CZAKO
WITH BEST WISHES TO THE KOLLEL FAMILY
FOR A HAPPY CHANUKAH

 

CEDAR-GREEN COMMUNITY KOLLEL:
2573 LARCHMONT ROAD, BEACHWOOD, OHIO 44122
216-360-9153 / 216-559-0638


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