Light unto the Nations

There is a deep connection between Parashat Miketz and Chanukah.  It is all about the interceding by ‘Yosef’ – awaiting the present-day metaphorical fulfillment …. Who is Yoseph today?

In our recent commentary on Parashat Lech Lecha we have concluded that “The ‘Light to the Nations’ will go out from the Land of Israel” and that this is a yet future event to occur only at the Time of the Final Redemption after the Return to the Land and the Reconciliation of both Houses of Israel.

The Rabbinic commentaries that we link to (at the foot of this article) places great accent on this factor of Light which establishes this deep connection between Parashat Miketz and Chanukah.  It is all about the ascending of Yosef from being downtrodden under the status of a slave and imprisoned to instant fame as a Ruler of Egypt in one day.  As such, Yoseph becomes the Flame that ignites the fire of the House of Jacob (the 12 Tribes of Israel) to destroy the House of Esav (as did the Maccabeans of the House of Judah in the miraculous overpowering of the Greek forces, to restore the Temple Torah worship as commemorated in Chanukah). Thus the Light going forth from the Temple has been restored.  This was the Divine Purpose behind the selling of Yoseph by his brothers, landing him in Egypt, sold as a slave, to eventually be raised to the highest authority through which he could save millions of people from starvation, reconcile the Family of Jacob (12 Tribes) and lay the foundations for the Hebrew nation to be taken OUT of Egypt to the Promised Land as the People of the God of Israel.

Of course, this all is pointing forward to the Time of Redemption (yet future) when the Second Exodus (this time by the return of the exiles of all 12 Tribes to the Land of Israel to re-establish the reunited 12 Tribed Kingdom of the God of Israel).  Together they will form the Light of Torah to the Nations, under the direct Rule of the Creator God in His Universal Kingdom over all nations on earth. In this way, the first statement of Creation by the Creator, “Let there be Light,” will be fulfilled.

The illustrious life story of Yoseph is the metaphor pointing to this fulfillment of Divine Purpose.  Mankind needs something in life to be on fire for. In order to subdue the forces of evil (which want to do away with the Torah and facilitate a superficial Esav obsession with bodily, immediate lustful self-gratification) the Flame of Yoseph is required – the Fire of Passion of the Love for HaShem and His Will as embodied by the Torah.

Yoseph was the Family Restorer, the gatherer – to bring Peace in the Family after all the strife.  It all pointed forward to the End Time, when the two divided Houses of Israel (Judah and 10-Israel) after millennia of great division and strife, would re-unite in Peace, in this way restoring the Fallen Tabernacle of David, which would cause the Shechinah of HaShem to Return to earth and to His People. Today, as we are reaching the final fulfillment of this great metaphor, ‘Yoseph’ seems to be represented by that body of concerned and passionate souls from both Houses of Israel (Jews and reawakening Ephraimites) who promote the true Vision of this Prophetic fulfillment and strive to bring peaceful reconciliation where strife and dissension rule amongst the nation of HaShem.

With this foundational plot in mind, consider now the various commentaries and seek therein the guidelines which can help YOU to become part of this Light unto the Nations.

DISCLAIMER – the authors and promoters of the articles and videos that we place here are mostly not connected in any way to KOL HATOR and may well not share our views and interpretations. We do however thank them for their insight and pointers that confirm our understanding and often broaden our insight.

Let there be Light

By Rabbi Chaim Richman

For more insight into this topic by the same author

• A message for Chanukah
• Audio Commentary by Rabbi Feld – Parashat Mikeitz