Bereishis

This week's Parsha mentions the institution of the birthday, "And it was on the third day, Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants" (Vayeishev 40:20). The Yerushalmi (Rosh Hashana 3:8) tells us that when Amalek waged war against the Jewish People, they deployed soldiers whose birthday was that very day. They rationalized that one is fortunate on his birthday and that would swing the tide of battle. Moshe Rabbeinu raised his hands to alter the constellations and confuse the mazel, thus defusing the birthday soldiers' good luck.

It is known that the Chasam Sofer was adverse to the celebration of birthdays, claiming it to be a non-Jewish practice. Instead, he suggested celebrating the day of circumcision, as this is the moment one enters into the Covenant of Avraham as a completed Jew. There are, however, numerous sources to the contrary. The Ben Ish Chai writes in Ben Yehoyadah (Brachos 18b) that the day R' Elazar ben Azariah was appointed Nasi was his birthday. The miracle of his premature whiteness was precipitated by the fortuitous mazel of his birthday. "As it is well known that one's mazel is strong and fortunate on the birthday, therefore, it is customary to celebrate the birthday (Ben Yehoyadah)."

The Gemara in Moed Katan (28a) records Rav Yosef's 60th birthday, on which he celebrated the peace of mind that came from being exempt from the punishment of Kares (premature death before 60). The Trumas Hadeshen also celebrated his 60th birthday, inviting two elderly scholars to a Siyum he held on that day. The Chafetz Chaim celebrated his 70th birthday and pronounced a Shehecheyanu on a new garment. The Agudas Yisroel Archives contains an article from the newspaper 'Chavatzeles' (Sh'vat 5669 (1901)) that records the events of Rav Shmuel Salant's 93rd birthday. Great scholars gathered at his home, one of them delivering a lengthy D'var Torah. A birthday cake was sent by Rav Chaim Berlin decorated with flowers and artistic engravings, as well as a birthday blessing engraved on the cake. The practice of blowing out the candles, however, is a Christian custom and should not be practiced. The candle is symbolic of the soul and should not be extinguished.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our distinguished President a warm and hearty Mazel Tov, on the occasion of this very special birthday! May the Almighty bless him and his Eishes Chayil, Ellen, with Arichas Yomim so that they will be able to continue their invaluable efforts on behalf of Ohr Chaim, our community and Klal Yisroel. A warm Mazel Tov to our special friends, Isaac & Laurie Mitrani, upon the Bar-Mitzvah of their wonderful son, Shmuel. May he become a Talmid Chachom, Ba'al Middos and G-d fearing Jew, and a source of nachas to the entire Jewish people.

The Torah reading of the saga of Yosef always coincides with the holiday of Chanukah. Allow me to interpret the correlation.

It is particularly satisfying when events in life achieve fruition and go according to plan. Conversely, it is extremely frustrating when our dreams and plans are not realized. HaRav Yitchok Hutner zt’l claimed that this human tendency has its roots in the way man was created. The Almighty declared, “Let us make man” - Since the creation of man was the culmination of a plan, i.e. let us make man, our personality, therefore, enjoys events working according to plan. If there was ever an individual whose dreams and aspirations were totally shattered, it was Yosef HaTzaddik. Despite being both physically and intellectually superior to his peers and chosen by his father as his spiritual heir, Yosef was rejected and hated by his brothers. To make matters worse, he was sold into slavery and accused of moral crimes he never committed. One would expect Yosef to be depressed, miserable, and dysfunctional, yet the Torah testifies that he was a highly successful, functional and accomplished person. What was the secret of Yosef’s success?

The Gaon of Vilna tells us that the Torah reveals Yosef’s formula in this week’s Parsha. “In all of his deeds, Hashem brought him success (Bereishis 39,3).” Yosef was a doer, a dynamic and proactive doer. Yosef defined success not as the culmination of one’s deeds, but rather the deeds and actions themselves were success. We endeavor and receive reward.” Even if our deeds do not culminate in empirical success we receive reward for our deeds. This, I believe, is the meaning of the words of the prophet Ovadiah, “The House of Yaakov will be a fire and the House of Yosef a flame and the House of Eisav like straw (Ovadiah 1,18).” Yosef was the proactive and dynamic flame which projected the fire of Yaakov, assuring the destruction of the straw-like house of Eisav.

With this, says HaRav Elchonon Wasserman zt’l, we can comprehend how Yosef understood the true interpretation of the dreams of the Chief Baker and Cupbearer. The Baker dreamed of birds eating out of wicker baskets perched on his head. The Cupbearer dreamed he squeezed grape vines into the cup of Pharaoh and subsequently placed the cup onto Pharaoh’s palm. Yosef observed that the Baker was passive in his dream while the Cupbearer was active in his. Passivity is associated with death and activity with life. Yosef therefore brilliantly predicted the beheading of the Baker and the reinstating of the Cupbearer.

This, I believe, is the parallel between Yosef and Chanukah. The Maccabim, like Yosef, did not idly sit by and allow themselves to become victims. Despite the overwhelming odds of the formidable Greek armies they took up arms and fought. Contrary to the pessimistic prognosis of all the prophets of doom , the Maccabim were willing to give it their best shot. This is the meaning of the words in Al Hanissim, “Hashem fought their battles” “???? ?? ???”. Only when we make it our battle and get involved will Hashem come to our aid. May the Almighty give us the determination of Yosef and the Maccabim, and kindle within our hearts the proactive flame of Yosef and Chanukah.