ב"ה
THEMES of Featured Ascent Lights
Every physical redemption from exile expresses freedom of spiritual bondage as well.
This
week's
Torah portion is called "Miketz", which means "at the end" and opens with
Joseph in prison, telling how he was about to be released. The Midrash compares Joseph's release from prison to the
final redemption of
Mashiach when there will be no more spiritual darkness.
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Beginner
Joseph represents the drawing down of holiness into This World
Even though all the responsibilities of governing rested on him, Joseph remained a tzadik, a Jew attached to his Creator. This was something new in the Jewish experience. He was able to be connected to G-d not only in a situation of meditation and escape, but also while involved with the world.
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Beginner
Joseph's success came from mastering himself.
In Vayeshev, Joseph begins as a favorite son
and ends up as a slave, whereas this week he begins as a slave.
Rabbi Issac Bernstein teaches that in Vayeshev Joseph was occupied with himself and his own dreams, while in Miketz he was occupied with interpreting the dreams of others. |
Beginner
The exile is a dream that will soon end…
This week's Torah reading, Miketz, begins with Joseph getting out of prison and becoming the viceroy of Egypt and continues until just before he reveals his identity to his brothers.
It parallels the beginning and end of last week's reading, Vayeshev, in that they all involve dreams: the dreams of Joseph, of the ministers of Pharaoh, and of Pharaoh himself. |
The larger, bold text is the direct translation of the classic text source.
The smaller, plain text is the explanation of the translator/editor.
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