Vayeshev– Erev Chanukah
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week’s parsha Eileh Toldos Yaakov Yosef; the Torah introduces the progeny of Yaakov with Yosef. Rashi comments on the first pasuk in the parsha that the reason for this can be found in the pasuk in Ovadia, V’Hayah Beis Yaakov Eish U’Veis Yosef Lehavah, U’Veis Eisav L’Kash. Yosef is the flame for the fire of Yaakov. A fire without a focused flame is ineffective; It is the flame of Yosef which is Sholeit M’Rachok (see Rashi on Chapter 30, Pasuk 25) controls and rules over distances, and will eventually consume Eisav. This connection between Yaakov and Yosef is the reason Yosef is singled out as the offspring of Yaakov.
The Sfas Emes explains that the fire of Yaakov represents the fire of Torah. Yosef is the Levhavah, the flame of Torah, which also represents the Hislahavus, the excitement and enthusiasm for Torah. And the flame, Chazal teach is Sholeit M’Rachok. When one is distanced and removed from Torah, the flame and desire is still great and enables him to come closer to Torah and mitzvoth. And often times, the greater one is removed from something of value and meaning, the more he longs for it. This is the flame of Yosef which rules over great distances. The fire continues to burn, even over great distances.
The Gemarah in Shabbos teaches that the Ner Chanukah is lit outside the doorway opposite the Mezuzah. Mezuzah M’Yamin V’Ner Chanukah M’Smol. The Mezuzah is on the right side, while the Chanukah candles are across from it on the left side. The Mezuzah which contains sections of Keriyat Shemah which teach accepting the burden of the Kingship of Gd and His mitzvoth represent Torah Shebichtav, while the Chanukah candles represent Torah She’bealpeh. The candles, the Torah She’bealpeh, are a reflection and interpretation of the Torah Shebichtav; hence they are placed opposite the Mezuzah.
The pasuk in Mishlei (Chapter 3, Pasuk 16) states, Orech Yamim B’Yeminah, U’Mesmolah Osher V’Kavod. Chazal teach that Orech Yamim B’Yeminah is Torah Shebichtav, while U’Mesmolah Osher V’Kavod is Torah She’bealpeh. The Sfas Emes teaches that when Chazal teach in Avos (4, 1), Aiyzehu Ha’Ashir, Hasameach B’chelko, The rich person is the one who is happy with his lot, it means the wealthy person is the one who has worked and achieved on his own. He earned his wealth, his lot belongs to him, and this creates his satisfaction. Similarly, when one learns Torah She’bealpeh, it is through his hard work. His yegi’ah in Torah is compared to Yegi’ah Kapecha ki Tochail. This is the reason for the comparison between Torah She’baelpeh and wealth.
The left side is the side of darkness, which must be lit by the light of Torah She’bealpeh. Mezuzah M’Yamin, is the Torah Shebichtav on the right side, while the Ner Chanukah M’Smol is the Torah She’bealpeh which reflects the light of truth on the right, and is able to light up the left side through the yegi’ah, the hard work and toil of Torah She’bealpeh. Ner Chanukah M’Smol.
This is also the meaning of the flame of Yosef is Sholeit M’Rachok. When one finds himself far away and immersed in the darkness of this world, it is precisely then when his longing and desire for Torah can be the greatest. Ner Chanukah M’Smol teaches that in the darkness of the long nights of Chanukah our longing for Torah on the right creates an amal and yegi’ah in Torah which breaks through the darkness and lights up the night.
Print this article