Vayeshev
Genesis 37:1–40:23
Torah Reading for Week of December 6-12, 2009
Kislev 19-25 5770
“Yosef was handsome…” (39:6)
This week's Parasha Vayeishev, contains the famous story
of Yosef being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.
He is sent down to Egypt, after he is sold as a slave,
where he becomes the successful steward of his master
Potiphar's household. Joseph was a handsome, intelligent
young man and as a result an interesting thing happens.
He is sent down to Egypt, after he is sold as a slave,
where he becomes the successful steward of his master
Potiphar's household. Joseph was a handsome, intelligent
young man and as a result an interesting thing happens.
Joseph is approached by his master's wife, who asks him
to
to
"lie with her."
“and she grabbed him by his garment, saying,
“lie with me,”… and he fled and ran outside. (39:12)
Joseph nobly refuses, citing his loyalty to her husband, his master, and to G-d, as his reasons. Joseph who
has already endured many hardships, now has to confront the mistress of Pontiphars household who is enamored by him. Suddenly he has to come to terms with himself as to what he places most important in his life, his priorities. Judging by his action to refuse her advances, to the extent that he was publically accused of trying to rape her and she eventually has him thrown in jail, we are greatly impressed as to the strength of his convictions. As the story continues, we learn that it is from prison that he ultimately rises to greatness, gaining an audience with Pharaoh and then becoming his second in command.
Joseph would not yield to evil and maintained the moral teachings of his father Yaakov. There is a midrash that says that a vision of his fathers face appeared to Yosef, and his father spoke to him, saying
“your brothers names will be inscribed on the high priests clothing when he brings sacrifices. If you commit adultery your name will not be inscribed among theirs. “
In our own lives as well, we have crucial life lessons to learn and challenges to overcome. Ultimately, however our own powerful desire to overcome temptation is what we are dependent on. Whatever it is that we need to do, whether conjuring up a vision of a parent reprimanding and reminding us to do the right thing, or as what King Solomon refers to when he tells us,
“Deep waters of counsel are in the heart of man but a man of understanding will draw it up!”
Sometimes we just need to resist. How many of us can withstand the temptation of money, sex, materialistic luxuries when we are approached? We all have moments of anxiety and doubt and it appears that especially in todays world there is much corruption, moral decline. If we are to set examples to our children of what is really important as we travel through life and exemplify the standards by which we need to live; we should remind ourselves of Josephs determination. The Torah states that "The deeds of the Forefathers are a sign for their children."
Joseph's actions comprise an eternal lesson for us, we must set an example to our children and maintain the high standards set by our forefather.
“Yosef HaTzadik”-“The Righteous One”, became worthy of this status for having resisted enormous temptation, he was loyal, and dutiful, he controlled himself in an Egypt which is seen by the Rabbis as a decadent and seductive society. If Joseph managed to 'keep the covenant’ remain faithful not only to himself and his family but to Hashem and the longevity of the Jewish people, how can we do any less?
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
This is the lesson of Chanukah as well. Overcoming challenges, not succumbing to the society at large. The Maccabees faced the challenge head-on. Matitiyahu did not run away. And this is the lesson for us today. The story of Joseph and his family is always read on Shabbat Chanukah. May we all work together to bring light into our families and our homes. ," the Talmud teaches. "a lamp for each family”
Happy Chanukah!
Salad of many colors
1 bag cole slaw with carrot
1 cup crainraisins
½ cup chopped scallions
½ cup chopped celery
1 cup oil
½ cup sugar
2 teasp. Black pepper
1 cup Chinese noodles
mix together and serve.
HANUKAH COOKIES
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup pareve margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
1 large egg
simple icing
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons skim milk, water or non-dary
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
sprinkles, jimmies (optional)
food coloring for blue
Preheat the oven to 350° F,
Add flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor bowl. Process for a few seconds to mix the dry ingredients.Add margarine.
In a small bowl, combine the vanilla extract, water, and egg. Whisk lightly to blend. With the processor running, add the egg mixture through the feed tube. Continue to process until the dough just starts to clump together. If the dough is too dry to come together, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Roll the dough (I like to roll in a floured jumbo zip top bag) Cut with hanukah shaped cookie cutters, and place on the cookie sheets. Bake for 5 minutes, switch the cookie sheets top to bottom, and bake another 4 to 7 minutes, until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove the cookies from the pan, and cool them on a wire rack.
For the icing, sift the powdered sugar Into a medium bowl. Whisk in the milk(non-dairy) and vanilla until smooth. The icing should be very thick but thin enough to spread. If it is not thin enough, add more milk by the 1/2 teaspoonful.
It has been said that the caravan of Arabs which took Joseph to Egypt were carrying fragrant spices. This soup is exudes the aroma of cinnamon and sweetness!
Creamy and Sweet Pumpkin Soup
(dairy)
2 Fresh pumpkins about 4-5 lbs. each
1/2 cup brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
16 oz. pareve chicken broth
1 cup chopped onion
flour
1/4 cup maple syrup
8 tablespoons softened butter
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ cup cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2cups heavy whipping cream
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.cut pumpkins in 1/4's remove the seeds and fibers. place the pieces skin side down in a shallow roasting pan. Put 1/2 the butter, brown sugar,cinnamon and spices on the flesh of the pumpkiins and bake for about one hour until thouroughly cooked and soft. Let pumpkins cool so you can handle them. remove the skins and cut up the pumpkin.
Sauté the onion in the rest of the butter until translucent. Add flour as thickening agent and cook the flour. Add the pumpkin, maple syrup and S&P Add equal amounts of 1/2 the broth and 1/2 the cream and bring to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
Process the broth in a food processor or a blender until it is smooth,(I needed to do it more than once to remove all fibrous tissues of the pumpkins) then put it back in the pan and add the rest of broth, and cream.
Cover the pan, turn the heat down, and let the pumpkin soup simmer for about 20 more minutes, stirring it all the time.
(Do not boil!) Serve in bowls with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Shabbat Shalom!.
