PARSHA MIKETZ

by Steven Mandel MD

The word MIKETZ means the end, but it also signifies the conclusion of a period and a start of a new one. I will describe how long-lasting circumstances can change and the start of a new reality on the horizon.

The parsha tells us how letting go of grudges, embracing empathy and forgiveness, reconciliation, and divine providence, in your life can be part of a greater plan to heal a relationship.

Let’s review story of Joseph or the musical, both tell the story, and see how it can relate to our present day.

You may ask yourself, how Joseph’s story relates to Eli Weisel, Nelson Mandela, Natan Sharensky…

How can we relate Joseph’s story to our SPS Men’s Club.

How can Joseph’s story bring us the light of Hanukkah.

Finally – how can we go forward in our mission of TIKUN OLAM for all people…

After Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery, his imprisonment ended when he went before Pharaoh, to interpret his dream. (his brothers threw him in the pit and sold him into slavery because Jacob married Rachel after his 1st wife Leah died).

(When Joesph was thrown in the pit, his brothers sold him to Midianite traders who sold him as a slave to Potipher as a slave. Josph rejected Potipher’s wife advances, and accused him of rape, and he was put into prison).

Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows that swallow seven lean cows, and seven fat ears of corn swallow seven lean ears. This was interpreted as seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of hunger. Joseph ( after serving 13 years in prison), advised Pharaoh to store grain during the plentiful years. Pharaoh, then appointed Joseph the viceroy, governor of Egypt due to his ability to interpret dreams.

With the anticipation of famine, Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt – except for Benjamin (Benjamine was left back because Joseph feared for Benjamin’s safety).

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him …. Joseph arrested his brothers as spies. He sent his brothers to go back and get Benjamin, keeping Simon as a hostage. After bringing back Benjamin and then returning home, Joseph secretly fills Benjamin’s bags with silver. Then Judah’s selfish plea to become a slave in Benjamin’s place. – a final test of their integrity.

(After the brothers were released and made peace with Joseph, they located to the land of Goshen in Egypt, where they could grow into a great nation under g-ds’ protection. Under Joseph’s leadership, he was able to save Egypt from the famine.

Joseph’s brothers’ hatred and guilt was a steppingstone in his rise to power in Egypt and save his family during a famine. What his brother’s saw at the end was a divine plan. The brothers confronted their past, examined their loyalty and repentance, and untimely met with reconciliation within the family.

Moral – G-d uses evil pain for a greater good, preparing others for a greater good through trials. G-d used the story of betrayal and imprisonment to accomplish his purpose.

Lessons learned:
Resilience and faith in the face of betrayal and hardship.
Forgiveness: not revenge not support
Integrity: a greater character who fled the temptation and acted with
wisdom and principle.
Have hope even when things seem hopeless
Trust in God – even if you can’t see it.
The Israeli hostages found hope and strength while in captivity through
their belief in G-d.
Keith Segal – whispered Shema every day
Agam Berger – imagined lighting candles every day. She said they tried to
convert me to Islam – over 482 days…
“I was kidnapped because I am Jewish. I fasted on Yom Kippur. You can’t
take away my Judaism. “
When freed, man wrapped Tefillin who hadn’t done so since childhood.
Shabbat tables that had gone cold, were now filled with family and prayer.

We gathered in great numbers in our synagogues and streets , spoke at national conventions, spent Sundays at Central Park with Jews and non-Jews ,to show our solidarity and faith. We stood together to show that our spirit was unbreakable.

What are the themes: Leadership. Forgiveness, reconciliation, divine providence, and events uphold to a greater plan. Joseph transformed from a betrayed brother to a forgiving rule, showing the importance of empathy and forgiveness in the presence of injustice. Jospeh had choices. He maintained his values, his Jewish identity to rescue his family. Although he was an Egyptian, in his heart and soul, he was a Jew. His faithfulness in G-d, despite being in prison led to his redemption and elevation . For us, let go or grudges, embrace empathy, work towards reconciliation, and work towards the transformative power of forgiveness, understanding and healing relationships. The key words are EMPATHY and RESILIENCE.

The story of Hanukkah, where the Maccabees refused to assimilate in the Greek Culture. They endured hardship and brought light into the darkness. The Maccabees who led the revolt against the Syrian Greek empire were decedents of the tribe of Joseph. The Hanukkah oils is a symbol that Joseph brought, even in the darkest hour. Resilience and faith were G-d’s plan. How is the lesson from Joseph relate to Hanukah?

1. Hold on to your identity in a foreign land
2. Faith in the face of overwhelming odds
3. Turing suffering into a blessing
4. Courage to stand alone
5. Using power with humility
6. Light into darkness
   Joseph and Hanukah teach us that identity, faith and courage can transform hardship into redemption.
   
   Our SPS Men’s Club focuses on identity, resilience, leadership and accountability. We support each other with perseverance and maintain hope in difficult times. We try to learn ways to move past personal and family grievances to develop personality, character development for healthy relationships with our family and community. We cultivate meaningful relations, emotional and spiritual with a sense of purpose,
   
   Rooted in Jewish values and brotherhood. We do so with 4 principals:

Friendship (meaningful experiences), Judaism ( Pluralistic and Joyful), Mentorship (loving and wisdom), Community (inclusion and support).

Chaver ma’alah- According to Aristotle, this is the highest form of friendship. We value friendships involving goodwill, loyalty, honesty and a desire to grow in character.

Leadership is serving others with selfless service, and responsibility, Having a clear vision. It is with good communication skills delivered with empathy and integrity. You take courage to adapt to your success and failures. You inspire and motivate others with team building and a service mindset.

With the Holocaust persecuting and near destruction Jews have survived against all odds, God-s divine providence was to grant the Jews to their ancestral home and create the State of Israel. T’za’ar (suffering) is a precursor to (Ge’ulah ) redemption. Joseph’s imprisonment was a catalyst to his regrowth. Josph showed us thar we can choose to heal and uplift rather than harbor resentment. Our struggles can be opportunities for growth. Our pain can transform our purpose. Our past can be a source of strength. Our guilt can be repaired with acceptance, gratitude and generosity.

So – getting back to modern day leaders that embody the traits and values seen in Joseph’s biblical story of Resilience, vision and integrity:

Natan Sharenssky: After spending time in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison,
To rise as a leader in the Jewish world and an advocate for human rights.

Eli Weisel experienced forced separation from his family, endured imprisonment and oppression, confronted gods’ presence in sufferance, and became a voice for our people.

Nelson Mandela – From prison to become a national leader, his ability to choose reconciliation over revenge, bring hope and healing, and became a symbol of hope for his nation.

Steve Jobs : He was “cast out” publicly rejected and humiliated, and he was able to return with a greater vision that impacted millions.

Returning to Parsha MIKETZ, is the potential ecological crisis of famine… Pharaoh’s dream and Joseph’s Interpretation, led to people planning, seeing what others did not see, by acknowledging reality, prepare ethically, listen compassionately, and use one’s gifts to sustain others.

Hanukkah is a flame in unimageable times is a symbol of light against all odds. Joseph taught us that one person can change the world, cultivating hope, resilience, faith and victory over darkness.

I want to conclude with a quote from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:
“Like Joseph, a Jewish leader turns pain into purpose and setbacks into a call to serve others with grater faith and responsibility.“

May our Men’s Club be a shining example of the attributes of our biblical ancestors. May we leave today with a renewed commitment to serve and not be served, so that our lives and community shine with compassion, justice and hope.

Shabbat Shalom