Miketz

Genesis 37:1-40:23

Torah Reading for Week of December 6-12, 2009

Kislev 19-25 5770   

“And now let Pharaoh find a man discerning

and wise and set him over the land of Egypt.”

                                                                                                                   We continue this week with the saga of Joseph, who has after spending 2 years in a cell, is released when he interprets Pharohs dream.  Pharaoh dreams that he is standing near the Nile river, and sees seven healthy cows emerge, followed by seven lean cows. The lean cows devour the healthy ones. He then dreams of seven good ears of corn growing on a single stalk. Seven parched ears swallow up the seven good ears. Yosef is summoned from the prison and brought before Pharaoh. He proceeds to interpret this dream but first tells Pharaoh that all answers come from  G-d, and his firm belief in an Ultimate Being. 

    "Not I; G-d will give an answer (that will bring) peace to Pharaoh." (41: 16)

 

  Pharaoh's latest dreams is beyond the scope of his sorcerers interpretations and so before Pharaoh and  a crowd of idol-worshipping Egyptians, Yosef interpret Pharaoh's dreams, as representing seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. He tells Pharaoh to appoint a wise man over the country to stockpile the grain during the years of plenty. Pharaoh recognizes that Yosef is the most suitable person for the task and appoints him "Prime Minister" or viceroy of all Egypt.

As predicted famine strikes and when it reaches the land of Canaan, Joseph's brothers arrived in Egypt to purchase provisions. Although they had no idea who this thoroughly Egyptianized Joseph was, Joseph recognizes them immediately,and  after waiting all these years for retribution, one would think Joseph should plot his revenge.  Once again as we did in his rejection of Pontiphars wife, we see the self control and endurance displayed by Yosef.  Even though his brothers treated him shamelessly , sold him to strangers and were unmoved by his pleas, our awe of Joseph is reaffirmed when his brothers arrive at the palace pleading for food "and he recognized them."  Interesting in the next verse this is repeated

                        

                             "and Yosef recognized his brothers." (Genesis 42:7-8)

Rashi explains that this repetition is meant to convey something extra to us ;he not only recognized them as brothers, but he also felt brotherly toward them... Now as viceroy of all Egypt, with unlimited power at his fingertips, Yosef is presented with an ethical and moral dilemma. The ones who have hurt him the most now need his help.  Joseph shows magnificent compassion and welcomes them to his country.  This is not to say that he totally ignored their wrongdoing. Showing us his human side he toyed with his brothers for a while and  played his advantage by questioning  his brothers in an accusatory tone:

"Where did you come from? What do you want? How do I not know that you are not spies?"

    The Torah places a great deal of emphasis on self-control.  In Pirkei Avot it says

"greater is the one who is slow to anger than a mighty warrior, and (greater is) one who rules his spirit than a conqueror of a city." 

How hard it is to forgive people who have sinned against us and hurt us so much as to have altered the entire direction of our lives! However, it was this step that Joseph took - forgiveness. Realizing that if he held on to his disdain, it would destroy the relationships with his brothers. And, if we were  able to look at the big picture, then maybe that's exactly why his brothers were brought back into the picture. This altered course was really a blessing that was not recognized at the time. Would Joseph have ever become the Governor of Egypt if his brothers hadn't sold him into slavery? Ultimately saving them from starvation.

As we  read about Joseph, we could  certainly not  blame him for any retribution he would do to his brothers,  yet he chooses to go against the natural inclination of revenge. What great strength of character! G-d has given us  free will which ultimately we can use for good or for evil.  Let us  look toward Joseph “Yoseph Ha Tzaddick” as a role model of courage and forgiveness to help us to meet the challenges of self- control; how to control our words, attitudes and deeds so that we to can live up to the expectations of our community, our families  and of course ultimately to G-d.

Shabbat Shalom,

Miriam                         HAPPY HANUKAH!

                       

Sufganiot are deep-fried jelly doughnuts that are

traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Sufganiot are especially popular in Israel. The oil

used to fry the doughnuts are reminiscent of the oil that

miraculously burned, in the Temple in Jerusalem.

1 ounce yeast

1 Tbsp. sugar

     1 Tbsp. water

1 Tbsp. flour

3 cups flour

    (1/4 cup) margarine, melted

dash of salt

3 Tablespoons sugar

2 egg yolks

1 1/4 cups water (room temperature)

strawberry jelly

oil for frying (canola is recommended)

powdered sugar

To make the dough: Combine the first four ingredients in a

bowl. Mix well, cover, and wait until it rises. In another bowl,

mix 3 cups of flour with the melted margarine ,salt, sugar and

egg yolks. Combine the yeast mixture with the flour mixture.

Slowly add water while stirring. When batter is smooth, cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit and rise.

To make the doughnuts: After the batter has risen, pour it onto a floured surface and roll it out. Use a glass with a small opening to cut out circles of the dough. Place a drop of jelly in the middle of each circle, and then cover with another circle of dough. Make sure that 2 circles attach well to form a closed ball with jelly in the middle. Cover the doughnuts with a towel and let rise.

To fry the doughnuts: Heat oil in a deep pot until very hot. Drop the doughnuts into the oil and fry on both sides until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Meatballs

are always a great pick up food to have for any Hanukah party!

Here are two different types to choose from.

Meatballs 1

     2 pounds lean ground meat

1/2 cup bread crumbs or matzo meal

2 eggs

2 teaspoon onion powder

     2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 can tomato sauce

1 can cranberry sauce

In a bowl, combine meat with eggs, bread crumbs and spices.

     In a pot, combine the sauces. Place over medium heat. Cook

     for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

     Form the meat mixture into balls the size walnuts.

    Carefully add the meatballs to the pot.

    Cover the pot and cook on low for 40 minutes.

Meatballs 2

     1/2 lb. ground round

     1 egg

     10 pareve crackers, crushed

      1 onion, diced

     Salt and pepper

     1 bottle chili sauce

     1 jar  grape jelly

    Using first five ingredients, form meatballs. Melt jelly and chili sauce together. Add meatballs and                 simmer for 1/2 to 1 hour.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

1 bag baby spinach

10 large strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tbl Dijon mustard

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1&1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds(optional)

slivered almonds (optional)

In a blender, place the sugar, salt, egg whites, Dijon mustard ,vinegar, and oil, and blend until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach add sliced strawberries and serve! Can sprinkle slivered almonds.! Delicious !