Friday, December 7, 2018

CHUCK KOLB 12/07/2018

Shabbat Hanukkah ííííÎìììì Parasha Miketz - A Light Shining in the Darkness !!!

Previously posted ... 
All 50 States - Baby It's Cold Outside !!!
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2018/12/chuck-kolb-12072018.html 

In honor and remembrance ... 
Pearl Harbor Day - December 7, 1941


Chanukah Sameach! ííííÎìììì Happy Chanukah! 
#ShabbatShalom #Chanukah - Welcome to Parasha Miketz (At the End), this week’s Torah Portion. Because this Shabbat (Sabbath) falls during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, it is called Shabbat Hanukkah. We know you will be blessed as you study with us the portion of the Torah that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service. 


In last week’s study Vayeshev, Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him, plotting against him because his father favored him above his other sons and because his prophetic dreams revealed his own grand destiny. So they threw Joseph into a pit and then sold him into slavery.  While serving honorably as a slave, Joseph was falsely accused and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. In this week’s reading, Joseph is finally about to come to the end of his many trials and enter into his grand destiny.  In fact, the name of the Parasha, Miketz, found in the opening verse of this week’s Torah reading, hints at this since this Hebrew word means at the end of.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Miketz and Shabbat Hanukkah: A Light in the Darkness published in 5778

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/miketz-shabbat-hanukkah-light-darkness/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/category/torah

Parasha Reading Schedule 5779 
http://free.messianicbible.com/torah-reading-schedule 

Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter 
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm - https://www.hebcal.com 
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 
http://www.wildolive.co.uk/feasts_of_the_lord.htm 

Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
https://theisraelbible.com/christians-adopting-jewish-practice-studying-weekly-torah-portion/ 
http://restoringtheway.org/messianic-homeschooling/ 

Can A Jew Be Messianic? 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117371/jew-messianic/ 

Restoring the Broken Relationship of the Garden with the Tabernacle 
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/restoring-the-broken-relationship-of-the-garden-with-the-tabernacle/ 

Are You a Watchman on the Wall? 
In many ways, Believers in the God of Israel and Messiah Yeshua are also called to be watchmen.   
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-watchman-on-the-wall/ 

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth 
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible. 
http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/holy-holy-holy-lord-hosts-yhvh-sabaoth/ 

The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb 
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-passover-lamb/ 

Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - The Feast of Tabernacles !
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2017/10/chuck-kolb-10082017.html 

Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/dancing-joy-simchat-torah/ 

Rabbi Friedman - The Soul and the Afterlife: Where Do We Go From Here? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFUXKk2B4I (43:40) https://www.sinai-indaba.com/ 

Is It a Man, Angel, or God?
The angel of the Lord appears many times in Scripture, but is it really an angel or is it God? 
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/is-it-a-man-angel-or-god/ 

What is His Name? 
http://www.baruch-hashem.com/index.php/resources?start=22 

The Daniel Timeline 
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/Danieltimeline.html 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Parshat Mikeitz 

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3213/jewish/Mikeitz-in-a-Nutshell.htm 
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=12/8/2018 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥ 

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ... 

Weekly Torah Portion: Miketz 

The light that Yosef shed on Pharaoh's dreams is none other than the light of Chanukah, the hidden light of creation and the light of the Holy Temple. It is the light which comes to shine upon us and upon our world the moment we recognize G-d's hand in everything. Chanukah Sameach! 

Miketz (Genesis 41:1 - 44:17) Parashat Miketz is read on Shabbat: Kislev 30, 5779 / December 8, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92KZiM3_5qs (18:15) 
https://www.youtube.com/user/henryporter2/videos 
Published on Dec 5, 2018 - The Temple Institute  
https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm 
http://www.templeinstitute.org/ 
Weekly Newsletter - http://is.gd/4BUvi 

Special ... Broadcasting from Jerusalem with Rabbi Chaim Richman, Yitzchak Reuven 
Temple Talk Radio: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Special Prayers for the Chanukah Lights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pru_a9YaW3g (46:11) 

Published on Dec 4, 2018 - The Temple Institute 
Chanukah and Modern-Day Decrees Against Israel 
The Joseph/Chanukah Connection: Seeing Hashem’s Hand in Everything 

Join Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman for a truly special, moving and informative Temple Talk Chanukah Special! Our hosts connect many of the spiritual concepts and themes of this beautiful festival, to Israel's modern-day existential struggle. Chanukah is the holiday of both action and faith, and this week's edition of Temple Talk focuses on this dual aspect of the holiday and how it translates into the challenges of our own lives. 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Rabbi Chaim Richman: The Dedication of the Third Temple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTNRQ-ulUFA (54:11) The Temple Institute 12/4/18 
Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute of Jerusalem, speaks about the dedication of the Third Temple, and shares insights and progress towards the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in our time, and its meaning for all mankind. This teaching was recorded on November 7, 2018, in Rogers, Arkansas. Filmed and edited by James Long, Lightcatcher Productions.

Hillel Richman: The True Location of the Temple Mount 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEYOuYjqWwQ (52:35) The Temple Institute 12/3/18 
Archaeologist Hillel Richman, Senior Researcher and Past Supervisor, Ancient Jerusalem Sifting Project and Temple Mount Sifting Project, refutes the spurious theories claiming that the Temple Mount was in any other place other than Mount Moriah, with an emphasis on the 'City of David' theory, while providing incontrovertible historical and archaeological proof that the Holy Temple was, and will be, located on what is today referred to as the Temple Mount. 

The Coming Temple - Full Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTO8YYs29c (48:17) NuBeat Music 12/21/16 
Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod's Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood. 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/  https://israel365.com/ 

The Portion of Mikeitz 
https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/genesis/portion-mikeitz/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/ 

The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/chapter-1#verse-1 
https://theisraelbible.com/hebrew-alphabet-chart/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/proper-noun-directory/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/glossary/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/maps 

White House Cuts USAID in West Bank; Gaza 
by Video Manager 

In a blow to US-Palestinian relations, the White House has further cut its aid to Gaza and the West Bank. USAID is thought to be cutting its workforce by 60%. It follows a decision earlier in the year to cut US funding to UNRWA by more than $200 million. 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117719/white-house-cuts-usaid/ 
vid> https://youtu.be/nB4MY3qXuXs (1:25) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 11/27/18 

Is There Really Such a Divide Between US Jews and Israel?
by Israel Kasnett

On Nov. 12, former Israeli consul general in New York Ido Aharoni hosted a conversation titled, “A House Divided: Israel and Progressive American Jews,” in which he touched upon this topic. 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117523/is-there-really-such-a-divide-between-us-jews-and-israel/

US Controlling the Skies Over Syria Despite Russia’s S-300 System
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz 

It is also believed that some of the U.S. warplanes flying over Syria came off the Deck of the USS Harry Truman which arrived in the Mediterranean ten days ago. Aboard the Truman are nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing fighter-bombers. Its strike force consists of the USS Normandy guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers. Also sailing the Mediterranean is the Russian Middle East fleet composed of eight vessels. The S-300 anti-aircraft weapons system deployed by Russia in Syria does not seem to be a deterrence to the U.S. warplanes. 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/117507/despite-russias-s-300-system-us-controlling-the-skies-over-syria/
https://www.debka.com/usaf-takes-control-of-syrian-skies-unidentified-air-strike-on-iranian-target/ 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel 

http://www.shilohisraelchildren.org/free-bumper-stickers/ 
Hebrew “Trump 2016” Bumper Sticker 
https://israel365.com/store/i-love-israel/hebrew-trump-2016-bumper-sticker 

Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ... 
Shana tova u'metuka! #RoshHashanah - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bngu5vDFBxE/
34 #MedalOfHonor at WH - 5779
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqwcqwlnO6/ 
@NASA Johnson Space Center - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-GrLEhGYy/ 
Instavid #EndTrafficking - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoEciTYh_GN/ 
Jared Nikki Ivanka WH - 5779
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bot6VhehgKT/ 
Happy Birthday Tiffany - 5779
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo5HUZtBegd/ 
Happy 9th anniversary, Jared - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpW1ZYQhtR1/ 
Doubled Child Tax Credit - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXsZ4khhvm/ 
Instavid Child Tax Credit and #TaxReform - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYMkJQBaCT/ 
Ivanka's Happy Birthday 10/30/81 - 5779    
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpmGKOcFXc2/ 
Instavid #WorkforceDevelopment - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BppXdGkh3mS/ 
Peas and Carrots - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqfz9xChG2k/ 
Happy Thanksgiving! - 5779 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqgk4BEhpCr/ 

https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/ 
https://twitter.com/ivankatrump  
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥

Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 17+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 

'Israel's power will crush Hezbollah,' senior MK warns
by Gideon Allon, ISRAEL HAYOM

Hezbollah’s reckless actions will “drag Lebanon’s puppet government [to ?war] and Lebanon will end up paying a heavy price,” Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee head Avi Dichter says • “It will find itself back in the 19th century,” he says. Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman MK Avi Dichter (Likud) warned Wednesday that any offensive action by Hezbollah will see the IDF “crush” the Shiite terrorist group. 
https://www.israpundit.org/israels-power-will-crush-hezbollah-senior-mk-warns/ 
http://www.israelhayom.com/2018/12/06/%e2%80%8eisraels-power-will-crush-hezbollah-senior-mk-warns-%e2%80%8e/

T. Belman writes, This is the first article by Baskin that I have published.  He is too much of a peacenik for me. But what interested me is the 1947 Plan of Partition with Economic Union. Since the Jordan option involves just that, I thought we migh learn something from the ideas it contains. Afteral Mudaar wants very much to have an economic union between Jordan and Israel
Encountering Peace: Economic union 
by Gershon Baskin, JPOST

The UN Partition plan that formally created the basis for the two-state solution, (UN Resolution 181, 29 November 1947) was officially termed: Plan of Partition with Economic Union. In Article “D” of the resolution, detailed steps were proposed to implement the unification and harmonization of the economies of the Jewish and Arab communities living between the River and the Sea. Some of the specific details of that plan are quite interesting and still relevant. They are listed below with my comments between brackets:
https://www.israpundit.org/encountering-peace-economic-union/ 
https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Encountering-Peace-Economic-union-573608 

U.S. Fears Iran Planning ‘Massive Regional War’ in Middle East
Trump vows support for Israeli defensive operations after identifying Iran as source of tunnels into Israel
by Adam Kredo, FREE BEACON

The Trump administration disclosed that Iran is behind the construction of several underground tunnels leading into Israel that Hezbollah militants and other terror forces have been using to conduct attacks, according to multiple U.S. officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon and communicated fears that Tehran is preparing to lead a “massive regional war.” 
https://www.israpundit.org/u-s-fears-iran-planning-massive-regional-war-in-middle-east/ 
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/u-s-fears-massive-regional-war-identifying-iran-source-tunnels-israel/ 

Ted Belman, editor and publisher of Israpundit 

https://youtu.be/2_2jJpjU3zA (5:10) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 10/9/17 http://www.iltv.tv/ 

Ted Belman - 12/3/17 
https://youtu.be/EO5kIMNtZwA (1:08:08) Alexander Gendler 12/3/17 
The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.

3 ways to help Ted Belman ... 
Please send checks payable to Ted Belman, 
Dan #33, Unit 25, Jerusalem, 93509, ISRAEL 
Or go to Israel Institute for Strategic Studies 
and use your credit card and mention "Israpundit" 
Donators will get a US tax deductible receipt. 
http://www.strategic-israel.org/  
http://www.israpundit.org/donate/ 

♥†♥ ♥†♥ ♥†♥ 

Courtesy of Bible Gateway via Jewish Voice ... 
Free Map! Where are the Lost Tribes of Israel today?

https://www.salemoffers.com/campaign/lost-tribes-map-fall-2017-b/ 
http://jvmi.convio.net/assets/pdfs/lost-tribes-map.pdf (1 page pdf) 
✡ ✡ ✡ 
Yavoh ~ He is coming ! 
Yahweh - Yeshua -  Ruach Ha-Kodesh 
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה   
BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL 
Minute by minute updates here ... 
Watching for Yeshua Ha-Mashiach   
http://www.kolbonews.com/ 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/ 
http://thelibertymill.com/ 
https://rwnofficial.com/
http://www.citizensunited.org/ 
https://www.contendingfortruth.com/ 
https://aim4truth.org/  https://intelnews.org/ 
http://itccs.org/  http://evil.news/ 
https://iomovies.to/  http://123tv.live/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/  
Pray at the Kotel - the Western Wailing Wall 
http://free.messianicbible.com/enter-prayer-wall/ 
Entire Media News on this Planet 
click continue to use PressDisplay.com 
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx 


Happy Chanukah!  
Make delicious latkes and babkas for Hanukkah - Today Show 12/3/18 

Lifestyle expert and author of "No Mistaking Baking" Jamie Geller shows 
TODAY's Dylan Dreyer and Carson Daly how to make delicious latkes and babkas.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/latkes-and-babkas-on-the-today-show/ 
https://www.today.com/video/make-delicious-latkes-and-babkas-for-hanukkah-1387224643985 (3:47)  
Add your favorite flavors to your latkes and babkas for the most fun Hanukkah
https://www.today.com/food/best-latke-babka-recipes-hanukkah-t143862 
https://www.today.com/recipes/wasabi-pea-latke-bites-recipe-t143858 
https://www.today.com/recipes/perfect-babka-recipe-t143861
8 Epic Latke Sliders bonusvid> https://www.instagram.com/p/BqyzjlxF9V8/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/hanukkah/

Mazel Tov!!! IT'S No Mistaking Baking premiere book
85+ foolproof, fail proof, perfect every time recipes
https://www.amazon.com/No-Mistaking-Baking-foolproof-perfect-ebook/dp/B07L15ZHYL/  

Shabbat Chanukah in an HOUR???
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/yemenite-oven-baked-1-hour-shabbat-menu/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/how-to-shape-a-menorah-challah/ 

The Best Sufganiyot You'll Have This Year
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/sufganiot-jelly-doughnuts/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/healthier-doughnuts-for-hanukkah/ 

It's Party Time!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/9-ultimate-recipes-to-create-an-instant-hanukkah-party/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/hanukkah-survival-guide/ 

The dairy Chanukah delights that you've been looking for!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/mini-spanakopita/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/caramelized-onion-squares/

Classics...with a twist!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/time-to-amp-up-your-latkes-17-recipes-to-try/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/doughnuts-with-maple-bourbon-glaze-and-beef-bacon/ 

Last day for tickets is 12/6/18 ~ drawing on 12/10/18

Win a Fabulous Jerusalem Apartment While Supporting the Land You Love
https://unitedwithisrael.thedreamraffle.com/?a=jok 

And the winner is... 
It’s my honor, pleasure and sheer joy to GIFT the biggest 
present everrr, the TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO ISRAEL to 
Michelle Ariel, watch me announce it live on Facebook. 
https://www.facebook.com/jamiegellerdotcom/videos/572230409856853/ 

Free Ebook: How To Cook Everything With Olive Oil 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/31-days-of-evoo-free-ebook/ 

FREE Ultimate Challah eBook
https://www.joyofkosher.com/tag/challah-ebook/ 
https://joyofkosher.privy.com/campaigns/17152 

Free Mezze Ebook
https://mailchi.mp/jamiegeller/mezze-ebook 

Finally! A Healthy Meal Plan for the Whole Family: Fresh Families by Jamie 
https://freshfamilies.us/ 
https://freshfamilies.us/register/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lQsuWGrrA (1:01) 

Today Show - Make Jamie Geller’s tasty brisket with apples and honey cake 
https://www.today.com/video/make-jamie-geller-s-tasty-brisket-with-apples-and-honey-cake-1315037763843 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/easy-twists-on-holiday-favorites-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/as-seen-on-the-today-show-easy-oven-seared-soy-silan-brisket/

The Perfect Week for Matzo... As Seen on The Today Show
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/03/the-perfect-week-for-matzo-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
w vid Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover!
https://www.today.com/video/use-matzo-in-4-different-ways-for-passover-1198725699778
https://www.today.com/food/easiest-most-delicious-matzo-ball-recipe-passover-t125845
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller 
https://www.today.com/recipes/matzo-balls-recipe-t125837 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/best-ever-matzo-ball-soup/ 

Watch Jamie cooking Brisket with Megyn Kelly on The Today Show
by Shifra Klein 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/01/jamie-gellers-brisket-101-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.today.com/video/make-3-hearty-winter-meals-with-this-delicious-classic-beef-brisket-recipe-1164913219668 
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Gellers-Brisket-101-LEFTOVER/dp/1976983851/ 

Camp Zeke http://www.campzeke.org 
$1,000 off camp for new families - first come, first served!
Tell me more about One Happy Camper - isaac@campzeke.org 
Free 2017 - 63 page cookbook - recipes by Alexandra Zohn, MA, HHC 
http://www.campzeke.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Camp-Zeke-Cookbook.pdf 

Missing an ingredient? Improvise 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/jamies-tips-for-cooking-substitutions/ 

The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/ 
https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39) 
The Most Popular Recipes 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/search?query=Most%20Popular%20Recipes 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita recipes
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-and-avocado-toast/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/deviled-green-eggs/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/sun-dried-tomato-hummus/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-oat-clusters-fruit-nuts/ 

Home of JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller 
http://www.joyofkosher.com   
http://www.quickandkosher.com   
http://www.koshermedianetwork.com 

Our mailing addresses are: 
Kosher Media Holdings LLC: 
1575 50th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219   

Kosher Network International, All rights reserved.
3771 San Jose Place Suite 22
Jacksonville, FL 32257

Joy of Aliyah  
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/
http://joyofkosher.com/joyofisrael 

The answer is, it's made with love from Israel !   
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/my-jewish-food-memories/ 
My Love Affair With Jerusalem 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/my-love-affair-with-jerusalem/ 

Medias ... 
https://www.youtube.com/user/joyofkosher/videos  YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cua0Iw7HGjw (0:41)   
http://usastore.joyofkosher.com/ magazine subscription 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/subscribe/ email subscription
Book Jamie - https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/press/ 

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/jamiegellerdotcom/ 
INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/jamiegellerdotcom/ 
TWITTER -  https://twitter.com/joyofkosher 
PINTEREST -  https://www.pinterest.com/joyofkosher   
https://www.pinterest.com/joyofkosher/joy-of-kosher-community 

And it came to pass at the end of [miketz] two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed a dream: and, behold, he stood by the river.
Genesis 41:1 


Shabbat Hanukkah ííííÎìììì Parasha Miketz - A Light Shining in the Darkness !!!



Orthodox Jew
                lights hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) in Jerusalem pub.
                (YouTube capture)
  
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Hanukkah!
 
Welcome to Parasha Miketz (At the End), this week’s Torah Portion.
 
Because this Shabbat (Sabbath) falls during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, it is called Shabbat Hanukkah.
 
We know you will be blessed as you study with us the portion of the Torah that will be read in synagogues around the world during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service.
 

Family lights a Hanukkah Menorah (Hanukkiah).
  
Miketz (At the End)
Genesis 41:1–44:17; Zechariah 2:10 (verse 14 in Hebrew Bibles)–4:7; Numbers 28:9-15; Maftir: Numbers 7:42-47; John 1:1–18
 
“And it came to pass at the end of [miketz] two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed a dream: and, behold, he stood by the river.”  (Genesis 41:1)
 
In last week’s study, Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him, plotting against him because his father favored him above his other sons and because his prophetic dreams revealed his own grand destiny. 
 
So they threw Joseph into a pit and then sold him into slavery.  While serving honorably as a slave, Joseph was falsely accused and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
 
In this week’s reading, Joseph is finally about to come to the end of his many trials and enter into his grand destiny.  In fact, the name of the Parasha, Miketz, found in the opening verse of this week’s Torah reading, hints at this since this Hebrew word means at the end of.
 
Joseph is brought out of the darkness of an Egyptian dungeon to interpret the strange dreams of the Pharaoh.  In just one day, Joseph is promoted from prison to palace, and his life was suddenly transformed from darkness to light.
 

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream, by James Tissot
 
A Light in the Darkness  
Because Miketz coincides with Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights this year, this week’s portion includes a special Haftarah (prophetic reading) about the prophet Zechariah’s vision of a grand Menorah.  He says,
 
“He asked me, 'What do you see?'  I answered, 'I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.  Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.'”  (Zechariah 4:23)
 
Two olive trees feed this grand Menorah with oil.  The trees are often considered to refer to Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel, religious and political figures.
 
But since prophecy usually reveals the present and future, and since trees in Scripture often represent people, these two trees are seen by some to represent Jewish Believers and Gentile Believers, anointed sons who have been shining light into the darkness for over 2,000 years.
 
Others think the two trees represent the Messiah (the Lord's Righteous Branch) and Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) who are “anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”  (Zechariah 4:14)
 
Worship in the Tabernacle, by Willem Goeree (1635–1711), depicting a priest
worshiping before a Menorah fueled by two olive trees.  (Image provided
courtesy of the Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology,
Emory University).
 
Zechariah promises that the darkness that comes from our sin, which separates us from God, will be supernaturally lifted in a single day by His Righteous Branch.
 
“I am going to bring My servant, the Branch. … and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.”  (Zechariah 3:8–9)
 
We saw this prophecy fulfilled when in a single day, the sacrifice of Yeshua took away the sins of the world:
 
"We have an advocate with the Father, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) the righteous; and He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."  (John 2:1–2)
 
God also speaks of the supernatural working of the Ruach (Holy Spirit) to accomplish the Lord's plans, such as the building of the Second Temple by Zerubbabel:
 
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.'"  (Zechariah 4:6)
 

The food of Hanukkah fried in oil, which includes donuts (sufganiyot),
represents the miracle of a one-day supply of holy oil for the Temple
Menorah lasting the eight days required to purify more oil.
 
In the Holy Sanctuary, the light of the Menorah became a symbol of God’s Divine Presence.
 
During this time of year, when the winter nights are the longest, we sense our need for light more intensely.
 
Some people even experience what has been termed S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder)—a particular depression brought about by a deficiency of sunlight.  Likewise, when we are going through our “long, dark night of the soul,” we feel more intensely our desire to see even a glimmer of light.
 
The Hebrew prophet Isaiah wrote of a “Great Light” that would one day come to lift people out of the gloomy darkness:  
 
“Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed …  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” 
(Isaiah 9:1–2) 
 

Jewish children bask in the glow of the hanukkiah
(Hanukkah menorah).  (Go Israel photo by Dana
Friedlander)
 
Who is this “great light” of which Isaiah prophesied?  The Light would come in the form of a child, who would eventually rule the nations in righteousness and justice, seated on the throne of His father, David, for all eternity.
 
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice, from that time forward, even forever.”  (Isaiah 9:6–7)
 
Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah—the Anointed One) said, “I am the Light of the World.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12)
 

Enjoying the light of the hanukkiah (Go Israel photo by Dana Friedlander)
  
Light of the World 
Hanukkah is a celebration of light.  
This joyous festival commemorated the salvation of the Jewish people from the oppression of the Greeks who ruled the Jewish people from 332–164 BC.
 
It was both a physical salvation and a spiritual one, since the Jews were not only rescued from persecution, but also liberated from an enforced Hellenized (Greek) religious system and culture.
 
They fought for freedom to worship the One True God, to keep His commandments, and to observe the festivals as written in the Torah.
 
Though not commanded in the Torah, the Jewish People honor the liberation of the Holy Temple and its rededication to God by celebrating the Festival of Dedication / Hanukkah.
 
Did Yeshua celebrate Hanukkah?  The only reference in Scripture to Hanukkah is found in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament), and it indicates that He more than likely kept the festival.
 
The Gospel of John reveals that Yeshua walked in the courts of the Temple during Hanukkah:
 
“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.  And Yeshua walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch.”  (John 10:22–23)
 
While He was there, some asked Him directly if He were the Messiah.
 
Yeshua pointed to the works He had done as proof, but explained that they did not believe in Him because they were not His sheep.
 

In this week’s Brit Chadashah portion, Yeshua the Messiah proclaimed His mission as one of healing the brokenhearted and setting captives free.
 
The verses He cited came directly out of the book of the Hebrew prophet Isaiah.
 
“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up.  And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.  And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah.  And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
 
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted; To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” 
(Luke 4:16–19; see also Isaiah 61:1) 
 

Yeshua Teaches in the Synagogue,
by James Tissot
 
Yeshua and Yosef (Jesus and Joseph) 
Many parallels can be drawn between Yeshua and Joseph.  
At the time of Joseph’s release from prison into the service of Pharaoh he was 30 years old, just as Yeshua was 30 when he began His public ministry in the service of the King.
 
Also, Joseph's appearance and personality had been so changed during his time in Egypt that his brothers no longer recognized him.
 
They stood right in front of Joseph, seeking the salvation from their famine that only he could provide, and yet they had no idea he was their brother.
 
Likewise, Yeshua’s Jewish brothers and sisters today hold in front of them the Scriptures that reveal who He is, and yet they are unable to recognize Him as their Jewish Messiah.
 
One reason for this modern-day blindness is the way Yeshua has been portrayed by Christians over the centuries: He seems to have ceased being the observant Jew who faithfully kept the commandments of God in the Torah and has, instead, been labeled as the Gentiles’ “god.”
 

A 13-year-old Jewish boy reads from the Torah
for the first time publicly.
 
Yeshua's identity has been so changed that the great majority of Jewish people cannot fathom that this “Jesus” could possibly be the Jewish Mashiach (Messiah) for whom they have been waiting, longing and praying for over 3,000 years.
 
Nevertheless, the Prophet Zechariah told us that one day, all the Jewish people will recognize Him:
 
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on Me, on Him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over Him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”  (Zechariah 12:10)
 
Today, thousands of Yeshua’s brothers and sisters are coming to understand who He truly is; they are known as Messianic Jews and their search for the Messiah of the Scriptures has ended.  
 
These “restored Jews,” as some call them (restored back into the olive tree of Romans 11), are steadily gaining recognition as a legitimate sect of Judaism in Israel and around the world.
 
 
Please pray that the rest of the Jewish People will recognize Yeshua (Jesus) in Zechariah's Messianic prophecy as they hear about the Righteous Branch this Shabbat and the promise that sin will be removed in a single day.
 
On this Festival of Dedication, please also consider sending a special gift to help set the captives free from sin.  Your gift shines a light in the darkness by helping us explain the Messianic prophecies to the Jewish People.
 
"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."  (John 1:4)
 
Happy Hanukkah and Shabbat Shalom
from all of the Bibles For Israel Family!
Willing to Help
https://free.messianicbible.com/donate.aspx

No comments:

Post a Comment