Parasha & Times | Ṡabat Paraṡat Vayeshev
21 December 2024 * 20 Ḣodeṡ Kislev 5785
כ’ כסלו התשפ”ה Jerusalem - 3:59pm Candles; 5:18pm Havdala
Rehovot - 4:10pm Candles; 5:21pm Havdala
Austin - 5:17pm Candles; 6:14pm Havdala
Toronto - 4:25pm Candles; 5:32pm Havdala Miami - 5:17pm Candles; 6:12pm Havdala
Manhattan - 4:13pm Candles; 5:17pm Havdala Moscow - 3:40pm Candles; 5:06pm Havdala London - 3:35pm Candles; 4:52pm Havdala
Paris - 4:38pm Candles; 5:51pm Havdala |
Picture of the Week | 
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The Weekly Riddle | In the picture above, are there 2 optimists; or 2 pessimists; or 1 of each? If you chose the last option, who is the pessimist of the two men, and who is the optimist?
(Guess before you take a peek, the answer is on the back page) |
A Weekly Thought | “The six best doctors in the world are sunshine, rest, exercise, diet, self-esteem, and friends.” - This quote is often attributed to Charlie Chaplin. However, it actually comes from an old rhyme. |
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Cyril Zooms In | “Every generation loses the Messiah it has failed to deserve.” - Michael Chabon This week’s parasha, Vayechev (“He settled” or “he dwelt”), beyond the jealousies, shortcomings, blindness and faults of the brothers and their parents, draws a parallel between the destinies of the two Messiahs, the one born of Joseph and the one born of Judah. Through Joseph’s tribulations, it is the history of the Jewish people in the diaspora that is described: Joseph is sold into Egypt as a slave, then rises through his work before falling and then rising again to become viceroy of Egypt. As for Judah, his story is confusing, that is to say that it takes a strange, even mysterious direction. He is described as a respected man who integrates into the society around him. Here again, we can see a parallel with the history of the Jewish people. And yet, the whole affair with Tamar seems out of place in this parasha, suddenly inserting itself into the narrative about Joseph. Why this “interruption”? Judah is the ancestor of King David and therefore of the Messiah of the end times. From Joseph comes the Messiah who prepares the ground, the foundations, to allow the other Messiah to accomplish his mission, to build the "divine house", that is to say to establish peace in this world. Their history is therefore intrinsically linked. It is possible that each Messiah is not a person but the entire Jewish people, at different periods of history. We will celebrate Hanukkah this week. Hanukkah is the story of the Jewish people who revolted, who defeated their Greek enemies and who by a divine miracle were able to keep the lights of the Temple burning for 8 days. When the Jewish people take the right direction, God gives them the necessary boost to succeed. This boost can also constitute the Messiah. For this, it must be earned. I wish you and your family a meritorious, bright, restful and joyful Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom! Happy Hanukkah! Chag Sameach! C.B. |
‘Am Yisrael Ḣazaq Ḣai VeQayam עם ישראל חזק חי וקיים | The Tequma War entered its second year, and 64th week. We strengthen the hands of Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, its defense and security forces, its citizens and residents, and we remember the 1779 perished Israelis, civilians, rescuers, defenders, and soldiers. We pray for the fast return of the remaining 100 kidnapped, the return of the 100,000 displaced Israelies to their homes, for the full recovery in body and soul of over 13,000 injured, and for strength for the bereaved families. With prayers for absolute victory and lasting peace. |
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