Parsha Mikeitz
December 20, 2025/30 Kislev 5786
Greetings friends:
This week the Jewish people have experienced yet another horrific tragedy perpetrated by those who hate us at the very time that we are to be publicizing the miracle of our victory. Our fellow Jews in Australia were brutally murdered just for being Jewish. One obvious response would be to hide our visible Jewish identity for security. In fact, I have read in the news that some European countries have been recommending exactly that. On the contrary though, the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah menorah is specifically to publicize the miracle. So how do Jewish people respond to this attack and accomplish the mitzvah of Chanukah?
Shabbat Chanukah always comes out concurrent with Parshat Mikeitz. One explanation is that the sale of Joseph, which is part of the events of this parsha, was given as a justification for oppression by the Syrian-Greeks of the Chanukah story (Zera Shimshon, Derush 1), banning Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and circumcision, all visible public testimonies to our continuing devotion to G-d. So important is the publicizing of the miracle, Rava states (Talmud Bavli 23b) that if one is faced with the choice of only Chanukah lights or Shabbat lights, the menorah is preferable. The Talmud goes on to quote Rav Huna who states that the reward for care in lighting Shabbat and Chanukah candles is children who are Torah scholars, essentially the continuation of the Jewish people and our way of life.
In short, our response to this tragedy has to be more public Judaism, not less. We need to take action, together with our allies, such as Ahmed al Ahmed, and do more than just issue condemnations. I had the great honor to join Rabbi Nochum Light of Chabad of Anne Arundel County who officiated, Rabbi Ari Goldstein of Temple Beth Shalom, Mayor Jared Littmann and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Annapolis Police, regular Jews, and non-Jewish supporters in the freezing cold at the city dock in Annapolis this first night of Chanukah. It was even more significant that we were out there in the cold. It is only by standing together in the face of adversity in a visible way that we publicize the miracle and ensure our future of Torah and mitzvot. So, stay strong, shine the light of the menorah in your window for all to see, and share the light of Torah and kindness everywhere you can.
Chanukah Sameach!
Rabbi Josh
This week the Jewish people have experienced yet another horrific tragedy perpetrated by those who hate us at the very time that we are to be publicizing the miracle of our victory. Our fellow Jews in Australia were brutally murdered just for being Jewish. One obvious response would be to hide our visible Jewish identity for security. In fact, I have read in the news that some European countries have been recommending exactly that. On the contrary though, the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah menorah is specifically to publicize the miracle. So how do Jewish people respond to this attack and accomplish the mitzvah of Chanukah?
Shabbat Chanukah always comes out concurrent with Parshat Mikeitz. One explanation is that the sale of Joseph, which is part of the events of this parsha, was given as a justification for oppression by the Syrian-Greeks of the Chanukah story (Zera Shimshon, Derush 1), banning Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and circumcision, all visible public testimonies to our continuing devotion to G-d. So important is the publicizing of the miracle, Rava states (Talmud Bavli 23b) that if one is faced with the choice of only Chanukah lights or Shabbat lights, the menorah is preferable. The Talmud goes on to quote Rav Huna who states that the reward for care in lighting Shabbat and Chanukah candles is children who are Torah scholars, essentially the continuation of the Jewish people and our way of life.
In short, our response to this tragedy has to be more public Judaism, not less. We need to take action, together with our allies, such as Ahmed al Ahmed, and do more than just issue condemnations. I had the great honor to join Rabbi Nochum Light of Chabad of Anne Arundel County who officiated, Rabbi Ari Goldstein of Temple Beth Shalom, Mayor Jared Littmann and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Annapolis Police, regular Jews, and non-Jewish supporters in the freezing cold at the city dock in Annapolis this first night of Chanukah. It was even more significant that we were out there in the cold. It is only by standing together in the face of adversity in a visible way that we publicize the miracle and ensure our future of Torah and mitzvot. So, stay strong, shine the light of the menorah in your window for all to see, and share the light of Torah and kindness everywhere you can.
Chanukah Sameach!
Rabbi Josh
