Welcome
to Beyond Twelve Gates.
With
Chanukah beginning next Wednesday night, here's an '8 Day Survival Kit' to help
you make it through the holiday with a smile on your face.
1) Toothpick -- to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. 2)
Rubber Band -- to remind you to be flexible, since things don't always go the
way you want. 3) Band-Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or
someone else's. 4) Eraser -- to remind you that everyone makes mistakes,
and to forgive them. 5) Chewing gum -- to remind you that if you stick
with it, you can accomplish anything. 6) Hershey Kisses -- when you
need a hug. 7) Candle -- for when you're up late with someone
who needs you. 8) Lifesaver candy (kosher, of course) -- to remind you
that you're a lifesaver to so many people.
Enjoy a joyous Chanukah -- and remember not to eat too many latkes!
Parshas Vayeishev
Genesis 37:1-- 40:23
Jacob's favoritism toward Joseph incites the other brother's hatred. Their
jealousy increases when Joseph tells them about two dreams which indicate
that they will one day be subservient to him. Jacob sends Joseph to check
up on his brothers, and upon seeing him approaching they plot to kill
him. Reuben convinces the brothers not to kill Joseph, but is unable to
totally save him as the brothers sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. After
dipping Joseph's coat in blood, they return to their father who assumes that
his beloved son was torn apart by a savage beast.
The Torah then digresses to relate the story of Judah and his daughter-in-law
Tamar. The narrative then returns to Joseph in Egypt, where he becomes an
extremely successful slave and is placed in charge of his master's
household. His master's wife repeatedly tries to seduce Joseph, and when
he refuses he is thrown into prison. Ten years later, Pharaoh’s chief
butler and baker are placed into the same prison. One night they
each have a perplexing dream that Joseph accurately interprets, setting the
stage for his release from prison.
Rabbinical
Ruminations
'Nice
guys finish last,' the popular American saying goes. It may be that nice
guys finish last -- in the standings. But we see in this week's Torah
portion that 'nice guys finish second' -- second in command to Pharaoh.
We're familiar with the story of Joseph's arrest and imprisonment.
Shortly thereafter, two members of Pharaoh’s Court were also thrown into
jail. Joseph saw that they were depressed, and asked them, " madua peneichem ra'im hayom?" What's bothering you? The butler
and baker then tell Joseph their dreams. Joseph interprets the
dreams. The butler sees Joseph has special powers. Improbably, a
chain-effect of events results in Joseph becoming second in command to Pharaoh.
Why? Because of four words: " Madua peneichem
ra'im hayom?"
Even a simple act of kindness can have a stunning effect and completely change
the course of a person's day, if not their life. Here are four
examples of how a few well placed words can make all the difference. Try
them this Thanksgiving and Shabbos.
1)
Can I help? Even if the answer is 'no', the thought will be appreciated.
2) How
are you? Ask sincerely, with intent to know how someone is
really doing.
3)
You are right. Everyone is right at least some of the time.
4)
Great job, Sidney!
Everyone loves to be acknowledged for their good work and effort.
Quote
of the Week
Many
wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possession -- Frank Lloyd Wright
Joke
of the Week
A
Native American comes back to the Reservation to visit with his parents after
spending some time in New York.
He says to his father that he's fallen in love with a Jewish girl. His
father is mortified and says, "You're betraying your heritage and you'll
break your mother's heart that you're not marrying a Native American
girl. You know how Jews are, they'll feel the same way and you'll be
ostracized by both groups."
The
son reassures his father, "Don't worry. They must have already accepted
the situation because they've already given their daughter a Native American
name." "Really?" says the father. "What name?"
The
son answers, "I don't know what it means, but they're calling her 'Sitting
Shiva'."
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