Mikeitz/Shabbos Chanukah
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Mikeitz/ Shabbos Chanukah 5777 December 30, 2016 A Taste of Torah Stories For The Soul Stuff of Dreams Not Sure Where I’m Going by Rabbi Yaakov Zions Rabbi Zusha of Hannipoli (1718- One of the highlights of our holiday How do we reconcile these conflicting 1800) was known for his absolute prayers is Birchas Kohanim (the Priestly statements? reliance on G-d for all matters Blessing). The descendants of Aharon large and small. One approach is offered by Hakohen, armed with the spiritual the Abarbanel (Rabbi Yitzchok One day, he was walking to the power to convey blessing upon the synagogue to study and pray. Abarbanel, 1437-1508). He suggests congregation, raise their hands in On the way, he was stopped by that there are, indeed, two classes of a unique way and pronounce the a policeman. “Jew,” he barked, dreams. The standard dreams are, sacred words of this blessing. During “tell me where you are going!” indeed, figments of imagination, specific breaks, the congregation “I don’t know,” replied Reb using the props of previous thoughts recites special supplications on behalf Zusha. and events. These dreams come as a of dreams they have, or may have, “What do you mean, you don’t jumble of ideas, with strange, even dreamt. Why are dreams so highly know!” roared the policeman. regarded that prayers asking for their illogical, details. On the other hand, “You must be headed to do some beneficence are recited at such an dreams of a higher nature are keenly illegal activity, and you don’t want to tell me. Tell me now or awesome time? perceived by the dreamer as a message or direction from above. Such dreams I’ll throw you into jail!” In our parsha (as well as the previous are referred to as one-sixtieth of This exchange went back and parsha, Vayeshev) we read about prophecy (Brachos 57b). forth several times until the dreams and interpretations that enraged officer dragged Reb leave major imprints on the world The Toras Chaim (by Rabbi Avraham Zusha off to police headquarters. and Jewish history. What is the Chaim Shur, 1560-1632) explains Several hours went by, and no significance of dreams? Aren’t they the connection between Birchas one had seen Reb Zusha. His just a figment of the imagination, Kohanim and dreams based on the family began to worry – he had occurring naturally while sleeping? abovementioned statement. One who not arrived at the synagogue. has experienced a less-than-positive After some searching, they found The Talmud (Brachos 55a-57b) dream has experienced a negative him at police headquarters. contains a large discussion devoted to mini-prophecy. A well-known “What are you doing here?” they dreams and their significance. In that concept in halacha is bitul b’shishim, cried. “You were on your way to discussion and in other statements or nullification of a non-kosher item the synagogue!” of our Sages, there seems to be a when it has been mixed in a 1-to-60 The policeman, overhearing contradiction as to the importance, ratio. Similarly, this mini-prophecy this, ran over to Reb Zusha if any, to be ascribed to dreams. Let can be nullified with a full-fledged and, in exasperation, exclaimed, us examine some of them. On the “You were on your way to the prophecy. Our Birchas Kohanim is a one hand, we are told in the Torah synagogue?! Why couldn’t you prophecy of sorts and helps nullify (Bamidbar 12:6) that a prophet would just say so?!” the dream. A hint to this idea is the usually receive his or her prophecy Reb Zusha smiled serenely fact that Birchas Kohanim has exactly through a dream. The Talmud (ibid.) and explained, “When I left 60 words! May we merit good dreams, describes many dreams and their the house, I was headed for along with the ultimate redemption, connotations. On the other hand, the synagogue. But you asked when we will refer back to our exile as me where I was going. To that we find statements such as, “One is a dream (Tehillim 126:1). question, I answered that I didn’t only shown (in a dream) what he was know. And you see that it is true, previously thinking.” (Brachos 55b) Kollel Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ By Rabbi Yaakov Zions WINTER GARDENS Last week we asked: There is a minhag with Shabbos, when giving money WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT JAN. (custom) of some to give Chanukah gelt would be forbidden! (Source: Rabbi 11TH (money) to children on the 5th night of Chaim Kanievsky shlita, quoting his The Kollel Women’s Division Chanukah. What is unique about that father Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky is excited to announce that night to warrant this minhag? zt”l, the Steipler) its 5th annual Women’s A: According to our current Jewish This week’s question: What are two Wellness Workshop will calendar setup, Chanukah can begin unique aspects about the fast of Asara be held on Jan. 11, 2017. on every day of the week except Tuesday B’Teves, aside from being the shortest Winter Gardens Women’s (Monday evening). Therefore, the 5th public fast of the year? Night Out will feature noted night is the only one that cannot coincide To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email [email protected]. psychotherapist and speaker Lauren Roth, three intriguing TEDx-style talks, and great food and camaraderie. Lives of Our Torah Leaders Don’t miss the most unique Rabbi Yosef Caro – the Bais Yosef Part VI event of the year! For more Shlomo Molcho had now miraculously Molcho had. Whether Rabbi Karo actually info or to reserve, visit escaped the clutches of the Church; met Shlomo or not, it is clear he knew of him denverkollel.org, email meanwhile, his remaining two predictions and was inspired by him. It is very possible that [email protected] or had come true! He and Dovid Hareuveni now Rabbi Karo’s inclination toward Kabbalah call 303-820-2855. travelled to Charles V, emperor of Germany, came through Shlomo Molcho’s influence, as hoping he would join them in their war. They was his decision to move to the Land of Israel, LEGAL HOLIDAY LEARNING came bearing a flag with the Maccabi name where Safed was a major center of Kabbalah. ST THIS JANUARY 1 on it. Upon their arrival, however, they were While in Salonica, Rabbi Karo met Rabbi Start your day off on the promptly captured by Charles and returned Yosef Taitazak (1465-1546), an exile from right foot with Torah study! to the Inquisition. Dovid was imprisoned, Spain. Rabbi Taitazak became Rabbi Karo’s and it is not known what happened to him rebbe in halachic and Kabbalistic matters. Join the Kollel for learning at thereafter. Shlomo was tried a second time two locations: At the Kollel He also met Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (1505- and condemned to be burned. Gagged for 1584), a student of Rabbi Taitazak and a great West Side Bais Medrash, the entirety of the trial, lest he speak against breakfast at 9:15 followed Kabbalist, perhaps most famous for writing Christianity, the gag was removed as he was the Shabbos song Lecha Dodi. Rabbi Alkabetz by learning., and at the Kollel tied to the stake, when he was asked if he’d also became a rebbe to Rabbi Karo in areas Southeast Torah Center, accept Christianity and thus be spared. of Kabbalah. Rabbi Alkabetz left Salonica and shacharis at 8 followed by Shlomo replied that he regretted that he spent arrived in Safed in 1535. breakfast and learning at 9. his youth as a Christian, and that he was Rabbi Karo arrived in Safed in 1536, where A DEEPER LOOK AT THE prepared to return his soul to G-d as a Jew. he joined the thriving Jewish community, He was then burned, and became a legendary which included some of the most prominent PARSHA WITH RABBI martyr in the history of the Jewish People. SHACHNE SOMMERS Torah scholars and Kabbalists of the time. At While the standing of Dovid Hareuveni that time, Rabbi Yaakov bei Rav, known as the Join Rabbi Shachne Sommers is unclear, Shlomo Molcho was regarded Mahari bei Rav, was the leader of the Safed as he discusses a number of by many as a holy martyr, and he is even Jewish community. Rabbi Karo accepted the difficulties encountered in mentioned as a source in halachic works. Mahari bei Rav as his rebbe, and the two the weekly Torah portion, and Rabbi Karo expressed his wish that he merit to became extremely close, working together on develops a comprehensive die in sanctification of G-d’s Name as Shlomo many matters. approach to resolve the issue, simultaneously conveying a deeper understanding of the Stories For The Soul material being discussed. Continued from front side Sunday nights, 7:40-8:30 for even though I left with the desire to G-d, and he knew that all was in G-d’s pm, at the Kollel for men, go to the synagogue, G-d had other plans hands. Despite the praise lavished upon 1516 Xavier, and Tuesday for me, and I arrived here instead!” him by Pharaoh for his explanation nights at the Southeast Yosef recognized that everything that of Pharaoh’s dreams, he credited Kollel Torah center, 8-9 pm, occurred to him, the talents and everything to G-d. for men and women. abilities he possessed, all came from The Torah Weekly is made possible through a generous grant from the Harry H.