“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Miketz – Zos Chanukah
3 Teves 5784/ December 15, 2023
MISSION FOR LIFE
On Thursday mornings I have a weekly
phone conversation with our older son Shalom, who is learning in Eretz Yisroel.
Often our conversation centers on the parsha. Recently he asked me why the
Matriarchs named their children after their own experiences? “She called him
Reuven because Hashem saw my pain.” “She called him Shimon because Hashem heard
that I was hated…” “She said this time my husband will accompany me because I
gave birth to three sons. Therefore, she called him Levi” “This time I thank
Hashem. Therefore, she called him Yehuda…”
Does it make sense that for their
entire lives the tribes bore a name based on how their mother felt when they
were born?
It was an intriguing question that I
had never thought about. (There are many things like that, particularly in the
stories in Tanach. We learn the stories when we are young and therefore often
take the details for granted.) I told Shalom I wanted to think about it.
The following week I came across the
Medrash that states that when Shimon and Levi went to rescue their sister Dinah
from Shechem, Dinah refused to leave until Shimon promised to marry her.
From when she was abducted by Shechem,
Dinah had been objectified and she was afraid to leave after all that happened
to her. By promising to marry her, Shimon demonstrated that he did not see her
as debased. He recognized her shame and restored her dignity.
After seeing that Medrash, it struck
me that when Leah named him Shimon it wasn’t merely because she felt Hashem had
heard her own prayers at the time of his birth. Rather, because Leah felt so
uplifted and encouraged when Hashem heard her cries, she wanted her child to
live his life as one who hears the pain of others. She wanted her child to
ensure that others would benefit from being heard, as she did. In other words,
she didn’t name him Shimon simply to remember what occurred to her. His name
was to become his mission for life - he was to be a listener who heard the pain
of others.
That same idea can be applied to all
the Shevatim. Leah named her oldest son Reuven, not only because Hashem saw her
pain but so that he should live his whole life with a mission to recognize the
pain of others and be sensitive to it. It was Reuven who stood up (albeit
inappropriately) for the honor of his mother and moved Yaakov’s bed into her
tent, and it was Reuven who saved Yosef when the brothers wanted to kill him.
Leah named her third son Levi because
being her third son, Yaakov would need to accompany her and help her more. The
mission of Shevet Levi are to be those who accompany Klal Yisroel as their
spiritual guides and represent the nation in performing the Avodah.
Yehuda was named as an expression of
Leah’s gratitude. Monarchy can only be granted to one who can admit to his own
mishaps and has sufficient humility that allows him to be grateful to others.
Yissochor was named because Leah felt
Hashem granted her reward for her efforts. Yissochor would live his life
earning reward for engaging in Torah study.
Zevulon was named because Leah felt
Yaakov would now make his main lodging with her since she bore six sons for
him. Zevulon provided homes for Yissochor so that Yissochor could learn Torah.
The same can be applied to all the
sons of Yaakov. It will also explain the names of Perez and Zorach, the later
sons of Yehuda, and Menashe and Ephraim, the sons of Yosef.
When Rochel finally merited the birth
of a son, she called him Yosef because Hashem has gathered her disgrace. Rashi
explains that she would no longer be shamed for being barren. In addition, from
then on when there would be a misdeed in the home, they would attribute it to
the infant Yosef, and not to Rochel.
Yosef lived his life always assuaging
the guilt of others. Even after the brothers had treated him so harshly and
caused him so much pain, years later Yosef repeatedly comforted them and
reassured them that he bore no ill feelings. He was always “gathering the guilt
of others.”
The pasuk states that she also named
him Yosef as a prayer that Hashem add another son.
Yosef also lived his life seeking to
add to the welfare of others and increase the betterment of their lives. He was
always focused on others and that is what made him worthy of leadership. He was
trustworthy in the home of Potiphar, he concerned himself with the anguished
appearance of his fellow prisoners - the chief butler and baker, and he offered
unsolicited advice to Pharaoh about how to preserve his economy in the face of
the impending famine.
Each day of Chanukah we state in
Hallel, “Yosef Hashem - may Hashem add upon you and upon your
children. Blessed are you to Hashem, Maker of heaven and earth.” We pray that
Hashem adds blessings to us, as Yosef did for others.
On Chanukah we follow the practice of
being mosef v’holech - adding one candle each night.
As we read the parshios that contain
the saga of Yosef we remind ourselves that like Yosef, our task too is to
always add blessing to others.
We read the parshios of the story of
Yosef on Chanukah and seek to follow his example.
In addition, we seek to live up to the
names/mandates/missions of all the tribes as well. We seek to see and hear the
pain of others. We try to be there for others spiritually and physically. We
seek to admit to our failures and to be grateful to others and to Hashem, to
name a few.
We are called b’nei Yisroel. Yisroel
refers to Yaakov’s relentless struggle to overcome his challenges. Our
greatness lies in our ability to never give up and always maintain our struggle
for greatness.
We are also called Jews, Judahs,
leaders of the world. Like Yehuda we are worthy of leadership because we are
willing to accept responsibility, despite the high cost of doing so, and we are
always expressing our gratitude and unwavering allegiance to Hashem.
May we always live up to the example
of our lofty ancestors.
Chanukah
Sameiach & Freilichen & Lichtig Chanukah
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
