| What
is Shabbat Shalom?
Jews all
over the world read a portion of the Torah, the Five Books of
Moses, in the synagogue every Shabbat morning. The cycle begins
right after the Feast of Tabernacles and concludes the following
year at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. Traditionally, Jewish
families discuss the Torah portion at their Shabbat Table, bringing
new insights, each year, to the same inspirational words and
stories that they have been reading for years. In this weekly
column, Sondra Oster Baras, CFOIC Heartland's Israel Director,
shares her personal reflections on the weekly Torah
portion.
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Miketz (The
End)
Genesis 41:1 -
44:17
In this week's Torah
portion, we continue the story of Joseph in Egypt. The portion
begins with Joseph's rise to power, thanks to his interpretation of
Pharaoh's dream. He is given full responsibility for feeding the
nation and, indeed surrounding nations, during the upcoming famine.
It is in this position that he meets up with his brothers, those
same people who had so cruelly sold him as a slave many years
earlier.
In Genesis
chapter 42, verses 7-8, we are told repeatedly that Joseph
recognizes his brothers but they fail to recognize him. This is
easy to understand, as he is now older, dressed as royalty,
speaking Egyptian, and in a position that they would never have
dreamed he would be in. He also has an Egyptian name (Genesis
41:45). But Joseph recognizes his brothers and he remembers his
dreams. This is clearly a reference to one of the causes of their
jealousy and hatred for him as they declared on that fateful day so
many years earlier -- "Behold! The dreamer is coming."
(Gen. 37:19). Joseph remembers his brothers and how they
had treated him, their own flesh and blood. In the story that
follows, Joseph attempts to test his brothers, their loyalty to one
another and their willingness to sacrifice for each other, rather
than kill one another.
And Joseph is not
disappointed, for clearly the brothers have learned their lesson
and repented. When Joseph imprisons them all and demands that they
send a representative to bring Benjamin, they do not do so. They
remain in custody for three days. When he suggests that they offer
one to be imprisoned and go and return with Benjamin, they
immediately recognize their sin against Joseph: "For we are
guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the anguish of his
soul, when he pleaded before us and we would not hear, therefore is
this trouble come upon us." (Gen. 42:21-22). In the end,
Joseph seizes Simeon and imprisons him and the rest have no choice
but to leave without him.
But Jacob refuses
to let Benjamin go. However, when the famine has deepened and they
are facing starvation Reuben steps forward and takes
responsibility: "Slay my two sons if I bring him not back
to you, deliver him (Benjamin) into my hand and I will bring him
back to you." (verse 37).
Finally, when
Joseph sets up Benjamin to be imprisoned by planting royal vessels
in his bags, Judah stands up for Benjamin and insists on being
imprisoned in his stead.
Joseph sets in
motion an elaborate plan to test his brothers. He must know whether
they will be willing to betray their younger brother, Benjamin, son
of Rachel, his own mother, or whether they have repented their
ways. Only after they have passed the test will he reveal himself
to them.
Interestingly,
the portion ends with verse 17 of chapter 44, just before Judah
begins his moving, dramatic monologue to Joseph. The portion leaves
us in great suspense -- will Joseph take mercy on his brothers or
will he manipulate his position to take revenge on what they did to
him years earlier. By cutting the portion at this point, by leaving
us with this question, we recognize that Joseph could easily have
taken either route. Not only are the brothers being tested, but
Joseph is being tested as well. The fate of the Jewish people rests
on this meeting between the brothers -- will it end with tears and
embraces, or in irreparable division and animosity.
We, who have read
the next verses, already know the answer. But sometimes it is
necessary to cut the portion at that pivotal point, so that we can
test ourselves, ask ourselves the question. When we reach the
abyss, are we able to bridge the gap -- are we able to produce the
words and the feelings necessary to bring unity and love among our
people?
Shabbat
Shalom from Samaria,
Sondra
Sondra
Baras
Director,
Israel Office
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May 23 - June 2, 2011
Israel Tour
 With Pastor Gary Cristofaro,
First Assembly of God, Melbourne, FL
May 23rd - June 2nd, 2011
Eilat Extension
June 3rd- June
6th
Israel Host for the Tour: Sondra Oster Baras, Director,
CFOIC Heartland - Israel
Only CFOIC Heartland
gives you the inside story of Israel!
Meet the people who
are settling the Land of Israel. Listen to stories of faith and
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today!
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The Choosing of a Chosen People
A
5 part series on Genesis
by
Sondra Oster Baras 
Watch the trailer here!
Sondra Oster Baras, director of CFOIC Heartland's Israel office,
takes you on a journey through the Book of Genesis, which lays the
foundation for the creation of God's chosen people.
Order the DVD
set...
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100% to support the Israel Office!
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