Although Moshe complained to Hashem that the people were suffering terribly under Pharoah’s enslavement, his concern was that the nation was undergoing pain and agony that was too much. He was reprimanded for his protest and Hashem explained to him the process which they were going through. The original covenant, the pact Hashem had made with Avrohom hundreds of years earlier was now to be fulfilled.
The Torah enumerates the total count of the nation when they arrived in Egypt. Then we are reminded that Yosef was in Egypt. Rashi explains that the Torah is emphasizing that Yosef withstood all the difficulties which the culture presented him with. They were a nation deeply entrenched in immorality. Additionally, we know that the wife of Potiphar went to great lengths to seduce Yosef.
After the nation settled in Goshen Yaakov lived out the remainder of his life there. The parsha is written in such a fashion as to indicate that it is disconnected from the previous parsha. Rashi cites the Midrash that this alludes to the lack of perception that befell the people after Yaakov’s death as the encumbrance of the impending exile began to impact them.
After much trial and travail, finally the truth was told and the viceroy of Egypt was none other than Yosef, their long lost brother. They were taken aback by this twist and unable to utter a word due to their incredulity and astonishment. Then Yosef tosses out the elephant in the room and declares that yes I am your brother Yosef whom you sold into slavery.
As we near the end of this wonderful Yom Tov of Chanukah what will we take with us? After the last lights go out we will be left in the darkness or can we carry the torch further and embrace our future with brightness?
Chanukah is right around the corner and perhaps we need to somewhat meditate and consider what Chanukah is all about, how we should approach this wonderful Yom Tov and explore what it is that we anticipate to gain. As we know after the small Hasmonean army defeated the powerful Greeks, they began to search for oil to light the Menorah.
Yaakov is poised to encounter his nemesis, Eisav and the anticipated encounter may be volatile. He davens to Hashem, prepares for battle and sends a large gift to his brother attempting to assuage his anger. In his prayer Yaakov mentions that with his staff he crossed the Jordan River.
Yaakov passed by Mt. Moriah, the place where Akeidas Yitzchok took place, where his father was almost sacrificed and missed the opportunity to daven there. Suddenly he realized that he had gone past it and immediately decided to return and daven in that sanctified place. Rashi explains that the moment he elected to do so, the mountain actually physically uprooted and came to him.
Rivka was instructed through Divine inspiration to tell Yaakov to get the blessings of the first born from Yitzchok. He was unaware of that and was concerned that his father would touch him and realize that he was not Eisav and curse him. Rivka dressed him with arms covered with animal fur and that would be sufficient to mislead Yitzchok.
After Akeidas Yitzchok when Avrohom was seemingly commanded to offer his son to Hashem on the altar, he realized that he needed to find a wife for him. His trusted servant Eliezer was tasked with the mission to return to Avrohom’s family and select his spouse. He prayed to Hashem to indicate to him who would be a suitable wife for his master’s son.