Miketz - Day #4

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of  

Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Genesis 41:53–42:18

41:53 The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end. 54 The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56 The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

42 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.” 3 Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.” 5 The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth. 7 Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?”

They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him. 9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

Today’s Meditation:

Famine came to Canaan, to the Land. Who would think that Hashem would allow this? But He did. He also put in place a plan to save them from starvation. And He used an important  G-dly descendant of Abraham, Joseph. Sometimes, He allows sad and horrible things to happen to His people. But He always has the perfect plan to turn suffering into something good. We can be guaranteed of that. He is an Elohim of mercy and grace. And we love Him. Think of the times when you almost gave up, where you suffered beyond what you thought you were capable of. But, after it was all over, you could see the handprint of Hashem over everything. It is just amazing. He never forsakes or leaves us.

Today’s Challenge: 

Timing. Sometimes life is about timing. Joseph was in the right place at the right time; Hashem made it so. He was planted there to save his country, his people, and his family. And Hashem equipped Joseph to handle it all. Today’s challenge is to look at Hashem's timing in your life. Think about a time when you were at a loss, maybe even ready to give up, when Hashem appeared and did a miracle. Or He used you to perform a miracle, just as He did with Joseph. When you remember this special situation, tell Hashem how grateful you are to Him and how much you love Him. As you begin to recognize His miracles, it will encourage you to persevere in your current situation. And to be sure to watch Him move, once more.

Miketz - Day #3

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of  

Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Genesis 41:39-52

41:39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because Elohim has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 He made him ride in the second chariot, which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 In the seven plenteous years, the earth produced abundantly. 48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities. He stored food in each city from the fields around that city. 49 Joseph laid up grain as the sand of the sea, very much, until he stopped counting, for it was without number. 50 To Joseph were born two sons before the year of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “Elohim has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second, he called Ephraim; “For Elohim has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Today’s Meditation:

Names have meaning and can set your destiny. Look in verses 51 and 52; “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, for he said, ‘Elohim has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” The name of the second, he called Ephraim; “For Elohim has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Clearly, his sons' names have relevant and purposeful meanings, as is played out in the future.

Names are important. What we name our children will carry with them and become a part of their identity for their whole life. Sometimes people will name their children after someone they know. This must be given careful consideration. You may ask yourself if that person is kind, reputable, generous, G-dly, and fair. Do not name your child after someone just because it was a fun thing to do at the time. 

Do some research. See what your own name means. See what your children’s names mean. Try to fit in the definitions with what Hashem has planned for you and for them. Throughout Scripture, we see the meaning of names. Ponder on what special name you want to give your next child.

Today’s Challenge: 

Joseph’s last statement in this reading is that Hashem has made him fruitful during his affliction. How can we relate to that in today’s world? When we feel afflicted in any of these areas - health, finances, emotions, or spiritually, can Hashem make us fruitful? That doesn’t necessarily mean you will be as wealthy as Joseph and have influence. Maybe it means that you can still be productive in displaying the love of Hashem during difficult times in your life. I challenge you today to be fruitful by showing love and kindness to those around you, especially if you are going through a tough time. If you can do this (and you can), you will notice a significant improvement in the quality of your life.

Miketz - Day #2

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of  

Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Genesis 41:15–38

41:15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. Elohim will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

17 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I stood on the brink of the river; 18 and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass; 19 and behold, seven other cattle came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for ugliness. 20 The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle; 21 and when they had eaten them up, it couldn’t be known that they had eaten them, but they were still ugly, as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 I saw in my dream, and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, full and good; 23 and behold, seven heads of grain, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What Elohim is about to do, he has declared to Pharaoh. 26 The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. The dream is one. 27 The seven thin and ugly cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty heads of grain blasted with the east wind; they will be seven years of famine. 28 That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. 30 Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous. 32 The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by Elohim, and Elohim will shortly bring it to pass.

33 “Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven plenteous years. 35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 The food will be to supply the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; so that the land will not perish through the famine.”

37 The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of G-d?”

Today’s Meditation:

We all have a calling. We have a purpose to fulfill in our lives, as directed by Hashem. He can’t force us to receive our callings, but He sure will equip us to carry them out. Joseph had a calling. He was tasked with saving that part of the world from starvation. He was to assist Pharaoh in devising a plan and executing it with great care. And we know that this did happen. What if Joseph had been unwilling or scared to reveal all this to Pharaoh? After all, he could have made the recommendation and interpretation, and the Pharaoh could have rejected it all. Failure can sometimes stop us from doing something Hashem has called us to do. Don’t walk in fear, trust in Hashem.

Today’s Challenge: 

Take a moment to reflect on what Hashem has called you to do. Are you living out your calling, or are you afraid to step into it? I challenge you today to take a step forward and try out what you have been called to do. Pray first and ask Hashem for the steps to take. If you are already walking in your calling, then I challenge you to encourage someone else to walk in theirs. Perhaps they have been afraid; you can pray for them and give them the confidence to pursue it. You will be blessed for sure.

Miketz - Day #1

Miketz מִקֵּץ - At the End Of  

Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17

Genesis 41:1–14

41 At the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreamed, and behold, he stood by the river. 2 Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass. 3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on the brink of the river. 4 The ugly and thin cattle ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 He slept and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good. 6 Behold, seven heads of grain, thin and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my faults today. 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, with the chief baker. 11 We dreamed a dream in one night, he and I. Each man dreamed according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. He interpreted to each man according to his dream. 13 As he interpreted to us, so it was. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothing, and came in to Pharaoh.

Today’s Meditation:

Does Hashem speak to us through dreams? I think he does. In today’s Torah Portion, we learn that He was saying something significant to Pharaoh. Although he didn’t understand it, he sought help to get some interpretation. Little did he know that Hashem was going to use this dream to save thousands of lives (from starvation) literally. Joseph was there and gave him the prophecy. Sometimes, it is all about paying attention. Paying attention to dreams and also what Hashem is doing in our lives. And it’s also about seeking help when we need it. Who knows, it could save a life.

Today's Challenge: 

Think about something in your life that you could use some help with. Then, reach out to an appropriate person and ask for their help. And in the reverse, if someone else needs help, be there for them. Sometimes we are just afraid to ask, and we are also too timid to help others. However, as we learn in today’s reading, asking for help from someone can be profound, even if it is only to interpret a dream.

Vayeshev - Day #7

Vayeshev וַיֵּשֶׁב - And He Settled  

Torah Portion: Genesis 37:1 - 40:23

Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

Shabbat: Genesis Chapter 40:1-23

40 After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days. 5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. 6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad. 7 He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”

8 They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.”

Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell it to me.”

9 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me, 10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”

12 Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer. 14 But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”

18 Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Today’s Mediation: 

Today’s reading is all about dreams. Dreams that are so important that they predict life and death for two people. We all dream; some of us remember them, while others do not. The most important thing is that if you have an unusual dream, you should pray about it. Ask Hashem to interpret it for you. If it is about someone you know, it may be that He wants you to pray about it. It could be a warning or a prophetic message. What I am trying to say is, pay attention. Your dreams could be important and have a significant impact on your future and those around you.

Today’s Challenge: 

For Joseph to interpret the two dreams, he had to stand up and say he could do it (with Hashem’s help). He began simply by asking them why they were so sad. How many times have you seen someone or know someone who looks sad and didn’t ask why they were so glum? Maybe it’s someone you know who is going to complain. So, it’s easier to disregard them. I have done that. 

I recall that my next-door neighbor always wanted to talk to me. It was always when I was getting in or out of my car, and I was in a hurry. Sometimes I would listen, but often I would say a quick “hi” and go. One time, she was out in her driveway, and I felt like Hashem was telling me to go over and listen to her. So, I did. I listened to her and showed her I cared. I am happy I did. Because right after that, she dropped dead from a brain aneurysm. It was my last time to be nice to her. 

Today, if someone crosses your path who looks sad, ask them why? And listen. Take time to minister Hashem’s love to those around you. It’s very, very important.

This Week’s Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

2:6 Hashem says:

“For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals; 7 They trample on the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and deny justice to the oppressed; and a man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name; 8 and they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their Elohim they drink the wine of those who have been fined.

9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. 10 Also, I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Isn’t this true, you children of Israel?” says Hashem.

12 “But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’ 13 Behold, I will crush you in your place, as a cart crushes that is full of grain. 14 Flight will perish from the swift; and the strong won’t strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself; 15 neither shall he stand who handles the bow; and he who is swift of foot won’t escape; neither shall he who rides the horse deliver himself; 16 and he who is courageous among the mighty will flee away naked on that day,” says Hashem.

3 Hear this word that Hashem has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “I have only chosen you of all the families of the earth. Therefore, I will punish you for all of your sins.” 3 Do two walk together, unless they have agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey?

Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground when there is nothing to catch? 6 Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, and Hashem hasn’t done it?

7 Surely Hashem Adonai will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets, 8 The lion has roared. Who will not fear? Hashem Adonai has spoken. Who can but prophesy?

Today’s Haftarah Meditation: 

Today’s reading is about Hashem’s prophets. Some of you may believe that prophecy has ended long ago, that the only prophets are those written about in Scripture. Others may think that Hashem speaks to man today. There are many “prophets” who speak through the internet, conferences, and books. How do we know that they have really heard from Hashem? Maybe look at their "fruit". Research whether their previous prophecies have come true or are coming true. Pray and ask Hashem if they are for real. I do think it is something we should pay attention to.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge: 

Do you ever feel like Hashem has spoken something special to you? That He has a “word” for someone you know, or that He is asking you to do something special? My challenge to you today is to take a risk. Go forward and do what you think He says, see what happens. Or if it is something you are supposed to tell someone, do it. Just pray and see what happens. It could be imperative and relevant. It could be a super blessing. I can tell you this: if you don’t go forward and it is from Hashem, you will regret it for the rest of your life.