Rabbi Frand on Parshas Mikeitz
These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Tapes on the weekly portion: Tape # 173 -- Dreams
in Halacha II. Good Shabbos!
If You Have It, Don't Flaunt It
One of the overriding themes of the book of Bereishis is the concept that
"the actions of the fathers foreshadow events that will happen to their
descendants". In other words, the book of Bereishis is like a blueprint for
a building. Our Patriarchs instructed us how to act in future times through
their actions and deeds, as described in these parshiyos [weekly portions].
As Yaakov is about to send his sons down to Egypt, he says, "Why should you
show yourselves?" (lamah Tis'ra-u) [Bereishis 42:1]. There are a number of
interpretations of this expression. Rash"i says that Yaakov was telling them
that they should not make themselves appear "full" to the children of Eisav
and Ishmael.
The entire world was starving. Yes, Yaakov and his family may have had food,
but it was not appropriate to give the appearance that they had more than
everyone else. That would not be a smart thing to do.
The Kli Yakar explains the verse [Devorim 2:3] "it is enough for you
dwelling by this mountain, begin traveling towards the north (penu lachem
TZAFONA)" by teaching us that the word TZAFONA comes from the root TZAFOON
(as in Tzafoon by the Afikomen on Passover), meaning hidden. If you achieve
some degree of material success, you should hide it from the view of Eisav.
In other words, "If you've got it, don't flaunt it!"
The Kli Yakar continues and says that Eisav has a long memory and always
believes that if Yaakov achieves wealth -- money, real estate, nice
clothing -- it is all because Yaakov stole the blessings from him. That
mentality remains with the descendants of Eisav. Eisav has never forgiven
Yaakov.
The Kli Yakar concludes that unfortunately in his generation, Jews did not
learn this lesson. If they had wealth, they did indeed flaunt it.
This, my friends, is something that we must never forget. Living in the
United States people do indeed forget it. We live in a country that is so
unbelievably liberal and so unbelievably good to us that sometimes we think
that we do not live in the Exile anymore! This is not true. We are living
in exile, and it is not worthwhile to flaunt wealth. One doesn't need to
listen too intently to hear rumblings about "New York bankers," and more
explicit references to a "Jewish conspiracy."
This is a lesson that Jews have failed to learn time and time again in the
various countries in which we have found ourselves. Whenever Jews have had a
little money they ensured that everyone knew about it. That was a tragic
mistake.
This is the "action of the forefathers" that is advice to the children:
Yaakov our Patriarch told his children "Why do you show yourselves?" Why
should others have to think that we have more than enough? It is not only
stupid; it is even dangerous as well.
The Challenge of Deserving Longevity
I just want to add a small comment about Chanukah. Chanukah, like almost
every other Jewish holiday, commemorates one simple truth -- that despite
overwhelming odds we still exist.
Every year in the Passover Hagaddah we say, "not only one person rose up
against us to destroy us. Rather, in every generation they rise up against
us to destroy us..."
This story is as old as time itself. First it was the mighty Egyptian
Empire; later it was the 'Holy Roman Empire', and so on. There are not many
ancient Egyptians or Romans that are still in existence today, but there
still are Jews. The Greeks too tried to destroy us. Who does not know about
Greek culture and Greek Architecture? But that is all in the history books!
We, however, are still here and that is what all these holidays are about.
The Egyptian, Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires are all gone. The Jews are
the only nation still on the playing field -- the longest running act in
the history of the world.
Why are we still around? Because we are smarter? Because we are survivors?
Why are we still around?
The reason we are still around is because, as the Hagaddah concludes there,
"and the Holy One, Blessed be He, saves us from their hands." G-d told us
"you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation..." [Shmos
19:5-6]. G-d tells us that He will help us survive because He has a special
job for us to accomplish. We must be a special people -- a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation. That is why we are here.
The scary implication of this fact is that when we, Heaven forbid, cease to
be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, then we are no better than the
Egyptians and the Greeks and the Romans, etc., etc., etc. If we are not
honest in business, if we gossip, if we do not demonstrate ethical conduct
in every aspect of our lives, then "going through the motions" will not
preserve us.
Our raison d'etre -- our key to success -- has been our status as a holy
nation. This is what Chanukah is about, this is what Purim is about, and
this is what Pesach is about. This is what everything is all about! If
Heaven forbid, we cease to be that holy nation, then chas v'Sholom [Heaven
forbid], "all bets are off".
At the time of Chanukah, at a time of rededication, we must think about such
issues. Are we living up to our role in this world?
May it be G-d's will that we do live up to our special role so that He will
preserve us for our ultimate goal, which is to be that Kingdom of Priests in
our holy land, Eretz Yisroel, and to create the Sanctification of G-d's name
that He has in mind for us.
Glossary
Parsha (Parshiyos) -- Biblical portion(s)
Goyim -- Gentiles
Galus -- Exile
chas v'Sholom -- Heaven forbid
Sources and Personalities
Rash"i(1040-1105) -- Rav Shlomo ben Yitzchak; France.
Kli Yakar (1550-1619) -- Rav Shlomo Ephraim Lunshitz; Lemberg, Prague.
This week's write-up is adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi
Yissochar Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Torah Tapes on the weekly Torah
portion (#252). The corresponding halachic portion for this tape is:
Buying Seforim. The other halachic portions for Parshas Nitzavim and/or
VaYelech from the Commuter Chavrusah Series are:
Also Available: Mesorah / Artscroll has published a collection
of Rabbi Frand's essays. The book is entitled:
and is available through your local Hebrew book store or from
Project Genesis, 1-410-654-1799.
