Conservative Patriot: CHUCK KOLB

Shalom Shabbat Hanukkah Parasha Miketz - The Great Light and the Grand Menorah !!!

Chag Urim Same'ach - Happy Festival of Lights

Chanukah Blessings Mishpacha
This 6th night of Chanukah
Parsha Miketz - Rosh Chodesh Tevet
Endless Blessings ...

Hanukkah – the Oil of Joy for the Poor in Spirit
https://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/chanukah-oil-joy-poor-spirit/

Previously posted ... .
Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayeshev - Favor, Inheritance and a Grand Destiny !!!
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2021/11/chuck-kolb_27.html
This World Was Created For MANKIND
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2021/11/sermon-this-world-was-created-for.html

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world
ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Luke 12:37
The war against Truth has been raging ever since
evil was expulsed from the realm of Heaven.
God instructed Pharaoh, "Let my people go."
God instructs us, "Let my people know."
Shema Y'israel - Maranatha !
Na'aseh V'nishma

כבוד שם יהוה Baruch Hashem Adonai
#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to Parasha Miketz (At the End), this week’s Torah Portion. This shabbat is the 6th night of Hanukkah at sundown tonight. 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. 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.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Miketz and Shabbat Hanukkah: The Great Light and the Grand Menorah
https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/miketz-and-shabbat-hanukkah-the-great-light-and-the-grand-menorah-5782/

Constantine and the Foundations of Anti-Semitism
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/constantine-foundations-of-anti-semitism/
Ah No Salvation and the 7 Noahide Laws
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/can-salvation-come-through-the-seven-noahide-laws/
Are You a Jew? The Answer Might Surprise You
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-jew-fname-the-answer-might-surprise-you/
The Temple Vessels Are Ready for the Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Third Temple
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/the-temple-vessels-are-ready-for-the-rebuilding-of-jerusalems-third-temple/
Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38, and the Coming Battles for Israel
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/psalm-83-ezekiel-38-and-the-coming-battles-for-israel/

Revelation and Na'aseh V'nishma
https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/11880
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/do-first-understand-later/
We will do and we will listen to all that God has declared. Exodus 24:7

When to Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday ...
The Joy of Tabernacles when Yeshua was Born
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2019/10/chuck-kolb-10142019.html
How Yeshua was born on the Feast of Tabernacles by Rabbi Yitzchak
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/how-yeshua-was-born-on-the-feast-of-tabernacles/

English to Hebrew to English lookup
https://context.reverso.net/translation/hebrew-english/
https://www.doitinhebrew.com/Translate/default.aspx
https://english-hebrew-dictionary.com/
https://alittlehebrew.com/transliterate/
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day
The Best Jewish Words You Need To Know: A Yiddish and Hebrew Glossary
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/the-best-jewish-words-you-need-to-know/
https://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_Sh/hebrew_glossary_-_sh.html
A Living Library of Jewish Texts in Hebrew and English translation
https://www.sefaria.org/   https://dictionary.co.il/   https://www.hebrew-verbs.co.il/
https://www.mechon-mamre.org/

Torah Teasers Parshat Mikeitz by Moshe Erlbaum
https://www.aish.com/tp/i/teasers/After-Two-Years.html

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All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Ralph Messer ...
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash - Joy of God’s Teaching and Instruction
What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Every decision you make can be made in a way that you are “choosing life.” The Torah is God’s constitution; it is His teaching and instruction; it is eternal and it is life. His Spirit is pure Light, abundant with untouchable, supreme, sovereign power.
God is the Source of all life.

מקץ Mikeitz means “at the end.”
Mikeitz begins by giving a descriptive narrative about Pharaoh’s two dreams—nightmares—along with the interpretations given by Joseph. The Talmud, a compilation of teachings covering a full range of Jewish law and tradition, says that Joseph got out of prison on Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year)—the day when the Almighty determines our future for the year to come. At the right time, God gave Joseph the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities to the one who would appoint him as viceroy of Egypt. Likewise, the ability that has been inside of you comes out when a need arises and you meet that need. And that need only comes by Divine intervention. Nothing can be achieved without our efforts; but our efforts can achieve nothing without the help of God.
https://stbm.org/mikeitz/

חנוכה Chanukah
When the Maccabees were faced with darkness, they did not resign themselves to it. And neither should we. The Chanukah candles serve as a reminder that darkness can be won by light. So go ahead, light a candle and let your soul shine bright for the rest of the year by helping others who are in need, being patient and kind, living with joy, reaching out to others to encourage and strengthen them, helping the poor, visiting the sick, and standing up for what is morally and ethically right in your family, your business or occupation, and your community.
https://stbm.org/chanukah/

Arrive a half hour+ early for starting lessons ...
Online> Saturday Shabbat (9:00am ET / 12:30pm ET) Services and Midrash
Online> Monday Nights with STBM 8:30pm ET / Thursday Afternoon> 3:00 pm ET
Learn more about special event streaming when you call our team! 866-867-2488
> https://stbm.org/stbm-live-main/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/RalphMesser/videos
https://stbm.org/study-home/  https://stbm.org/rrm-subscriptions/

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Todah Rabah - Dr. Gary Hedrick ...
Reaching the Jewish people with the Gospel
https://www.cjfm.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/
Charles Halff - What It Costs a Jew to Become a Christian
https://store.cjfm.org/product/146/what-it-costs-a-jew-to-become-a-christian

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Yitzchak ...
> http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/sermon-topic/torah-parashot/
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/free-downloads/
https://www.facebook.com/CalledOutBelievers/ at 10am PT
https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/events/shabbat-telegram-teaching/
https://www.youtube.com/c/AssemblyofCalledOutBelievers/videos
The Mark of the Beast is Coming Quickly Upon Us!
https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/news/the-mark-of-the-beast-is-coming-quickly-upon-us/
The Importance and Beauty of Tzitzit
https://player.vimeo.com/video/152885286
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/tzitzit/
The Hidden Beauty of the Holy Name of God - YHVH
vid> https://youtu.be/dbb45zmkli4 (20:59)

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ...
Weekly Torah Study: with Rav Gedalia Meyer
Temple Jam with Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Abba Horovitz
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTempleInstitute/videos
https://www.facebook.com/The-Temple-Institute-22738684968/
https://www.instagram.com/thetempleinstitute/ - https://twitter.com/TempleInstitute
https://www.templeinstitute.org/ w Weekly Newsletter - 35 years
https://templeinstitute.org/red-heifer/

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Jachter ...
Kol Torah Academy of Bergen County
Mikeitz - Kislev 29, 5782 - December 3, 2021
https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=Mikeitz
Chanukah - https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=Chanukah
https://www.koltorah.org/by-parashah https://www.koltorah.org/about-us
https://www.koltorah.org/rav-jachters-halachah-files
Yeshiva - https://www.tabc.org/ https://www.instagram.com/koltorah.tabc/

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Parshat Miketz
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3213/jewish/Miketz-in-a-Nutshell.htm
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=12/4/2021
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...
https://israel365.com/  https://www.israel365news.com/
https://www.israel365.com/about/  https://theisraelbible.com/
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/torah/
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/

The Portion of Mikeitz
https://theisraelbible.com/portion-Mikeitz

Spooky ...
Biden on 2nd Temple destruction: ‘We can always Build back better’
by David Sidman
The comparison struck many as ironic since democracy is a Greek concept, the very people (and ideas) the Maccabees fought against.
https://www.israel365news.com/263685/biden-on-2nd-temple-destruction-we-can-always-build-back-better/

UN celebrates Hanukkah by declaring Temple Mount exclusively Muslim and Israel “illegal” in Jerusalem
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz
https://www.israel365news.com/263729/un-celebrates-hanukkah-by-declaring-temple-mount-exclusively-muslim-and-israel-illegal-in-jerusalem/

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the United States.
Stand with 100,000+ people who stand with Israel.
https://www.israel365.com/the-israel-covenant/

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President Donald J. Trump
https://www.45office.com/
https://gab.com/realdonaldtrump
https://t.me/real_DonaldJTrump
http://Instagram.com/realDonaldTrump
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/alerts
https://rumble.com/c/DonaldTrump
https://tmtgcorp.com/ https://truthsocial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/
DONALD DATES
Donald, Jr. 12/31/77 <<<
Jared Kushner 1/10/81
Eric 1/6/84

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Good News From Israel - Achievements and Heartwarming Stories
In the 28th Nov 21 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2021/11/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-28th.html
http://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/

Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly
https://mishpacha.com/

Battle Cry
“Mi l’Hashem elai!” In every generation, there are those who respond
and take a stand for Hashem. Eight accounts
https://mishpacha.com/battle-cry/

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 20+ years ...
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION

To Keep Iran from Going Nuclear — and Prevent War — America Must Work With Israel
by Michael Makovsky, PhD - JINSA
Recent meetings with senior defense officials from our closest Middle Eastern ally, Israel, were the most pessimistic I can recall.
https://www.israpundit.org/to-keep-iran-from-going-nuclear-and-prevent-war-america-must-work-with-israel/
https://jinsa.org/to-keep-iran-from-going-nuclear-and-prevent-war-america-must-work-with-israel/

Kurt Olsen Summarizes The U.S. Supreme Court Complaint
The lead attorney on the U.S. Supreme Court case ...
vid> https://frankspeech.com/embed/MjcxMjE= (9:15)
facevid> https://www.facebook.com/LindellTV/posts/130808496033418 (9:15)
https://www.israpundit.org/kurt-olsen-summarizes-the-u-s-supreme-court-complaint/
https://frankspeech.com/topics/supreme-court-complaint

The worst crime in the history of humanity ...
DR. ZELENKO: “COVID JABS ARE PREMEDITATED FIRST DEGREE MURDER”
vid> https://www.bitchute.com/video/vtELgy3hrCcO/ (51:53) 11/9/21
https://www.israpundit.org/dr-zelenko-covid-jabs-are-premeditated-first-degree-murder/

Vaccines and Power
by Chris Farrell - GATESTONE INSTITUTE
The U.S. Constitution is not “waived” due to disease or natural disaster. We must beware of politicians and other
officials who seek to exercise power through “mandates” without a single vote or the active exercise of informed consent.
https://www.israpundit.org/vaccines-and-power/
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17984/vaccines-and-power

Woke Left Defends Looting As “Powerful Tactic” To Achieve Change
by Dick Morris
The left’s push to decriminalize looting — and, indeed, to justify it —
reached new lows in a 2020 book by Vicky Osterweil, In Defense of Looting.
https://www.israpundit.org/woke-left-defends-looting-as-powerful-tactic-to-achieve-change/
https://www.dickmorris.com/woke-left-defends-looting-as-powerful-tactic-to-achieve-change/

The Twin Pillars of Biden’s Failure
Biden and his followers and minders will go down because of these two issues.
by Conrad Black - AM GREATNESS
On the afternoon of his inauguration, he killed the Keystone XL Pipeline and curtailed fracking
and offshore oil and gas exploration, and ordered the end of construction of the southern border wall.
https://www.israpundit.org/the-twin-pillars-of-bidens-failure/
https://amgreatness.com/2021/11/29/the-twin-pillars-of-bidens-failure/
T. Belman writes, Ever wonder why Biden nixed the Keystone pipeline and fracking. According to Black, it was to induce very high energy costs in the US so that the green agenda would be justified. I didn’t know that. As for the open borders, the Dems may be getting many new voters among the illegals, but they are losing a lot more among lawful immigrants who resent the illegals. Recent polls show that support for Trump among Latino voters continues to increase. It now stands at 38%

>> The Jordan Option, plain and simple
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-plain-and-simple/
>> The Jordanian Option is the only game in town
https://www.israpundit.org/my-jordan-option-is-the-only-game-in-town/

Kindly donate to support the work I do
by Ted Belman
https://www.israpundit.org/please-support-the-work-i-do-2/
https://www.israpundit.org/my-half-yearly-appeal-for-donations/

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Quest For The Lost Tribes - Full Simcha Jacobovici Documentary
vid> https://www.bitchute.com/video/jbB2ELq4xPw/ (1:33:29) 8/18/19
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simcha_Jacobovici
12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3798842/jewish/12-Tribes-of-Israel-The-Shevatim.htm
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/blog/who-are-tribes-judah

In Parsha Miketz, Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows swallowed
by seven emaciated cows, and then seven fat stalks of grain swallowed by seven lean stalks of grain. In one of Joseph’s most evocative interpretations, the forgotten prisoner predicts seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. As we plunge deeper into the harsh cold winter, we’d better stir things up with a hearty Shabbat Mikeitz meal sporting a variety of wild grains and a big, fat juicy roast.
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/shabbat-menu-the-reliable-roast/

Shabbat Chanukah Menus
https://jamiegeller.com/tag/shabbat-chanukah/

How To Shape a Menorah Challah
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/how-to-shape-a-menorah-challah/

Pull-Apart Pizza Menorah with Za'atar
vid> https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GSxVDt4r-FSMnt4zj.html (1:04) JewLish
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/pull-apart-pizza-menorah/

Easy Fried Sweets For Chanukah
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/easy-fried-sweets-for-chanukah/

Making Latkes On Facebook Live - Get All The Secrets Here!
facevid> https://www.facebook.com/jamiegeller/videos/1326358201120174/ (23:40)

Best Potato Latke Recipe EVER! As Seen on the Today Show
vid> https://youtu.be/sNfhf8OWP68 (4:37) JG
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/latkes-potato-pancakes/

Hanukkah Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah-recipes/

Hanukkah Gifts: The Ultimate Gift Guide
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/hanukkah-gift-guide/

AISH DESTINY, the life changing women's mission to Israel
The Aish Destiny Women’s Mission - Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022
https://about.aish.com/destiny-women/

Jamie's Quick & Easy Shabbat Menu App
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/exclusive-jamie-gellers-menu-plans/
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/cookbooks/quick-and-easy-shabbat-menus/

Simchat Torah Menus
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/simchat-torah/
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/simchat-torah-party-finger-food/
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/shabbat/
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/

Vegan Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/search?query=vegan+recipes

This is Where You Can Find Me Most of the Time
JewLish - One People - Many Flavors
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpomjPnHcZ/
https://www.instagram.com/jamiegeller/
https://www.facebook.com/jamiegeller
https://www.facebook.com/jewlishbyjamie/

LIVE Series: FEED YOUR SOUL
vid> https://youtu.be/b4Z5lLnuggE (49:18) JG
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/feed-your-soul/

Joy of Aliyah
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/
https://jamiegeller.com/tag/joyofisrael/
Jamie Geller Welcome's You
vid> https://youtu.be/XO-owES713c (0:35) JG
Until next week, Happy Hanukkah and Shabbat Shalom!
Lots of  Jamie

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

The Jamie Geller Spice Collection: Now Available Worldwide!
Sending you love and my heartfelt wishes for peace, from Israel.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jamie+Geller/page/55E36343-CF6F-4E88-A4D5-D7C1C0274F7F
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jamiegeller
Adding Israel Wildflower Honey to my Amazon collection
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BN1985Q/

Babies, Books, and a Billion Views: My Decade in Review
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/a-decade-in-review/

Best of the Best w Hubby - Family Heirloom Cholent ...
vid> https://youtu.be/Ae2-lQVFsGw (12:01) 8/11/11 JG classic
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/family-heirloom-chulent/

Jamie at Aish - Chief Media & Marketing Officer
https://www.aish.com/authors/48868432.html
https://www.aishhatorah.com/
How You Can Make the Future Brighter
vid> https://youtu.be/fclstyB-1rA (2:48) Aish
https://www.youtube.com/c/Aishdotcom/videos

The Influence of the Hebrew Bible on America's Founding Fathers
vid> https://youtu.be/jE6Sqh-kezw (7:15) J-TV
https://www.aish.com/jl/h/h/The-Influence-of-the-Hebrew-Bible-on-Americas-Founding.html
Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. An Introduction
https://www.aish.com/jl/b/eb/ge/48966101.html

Jamie Hanala Geller
https://jamiegeller.com/author/jamie-geller/
Tamar Genger MA, RD
https://jamiegeller.com/author/tgenger/
Titles by Jamie Geller
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Geller/e/B001JS2GV8/
The High Holiday Recipe Collection - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/om8u2hvu10jwaeo5xuzi/
Beef Bacon 101 - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/jeithgmmua2s7fpzrgzk/
A Passover for Everyone - Aish and Jamie - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/sqyphcgmojgxtcq32ndx/
The Ultimate Challah - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.ac-page.com/pinterest-challah
Comforting Soups - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/vp6jenajjphxppjobhib/
Rosh Hashanah Sides - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/lmhvzqio815zbglkdar8/
Modern Israeli Kebobs - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.acemlnc.com/lt.php?s=a476321cee1a62660d5e43a07fe84c19&i=109A824A1A5341
Modern Israeli Summer - free eBook
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The Perfect Turkey Guide - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/g4ibbdtyf0mfdt5fudgu/
Join My Way Better Cooking Class with Jamie Geller
https://get.waybetter.com/jamiegeller/

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

Shalom Shabbat Hanukkah Parasha Miketz - The Great Light and the Grand Menorah !!!

Orthodox Jew lights hanukkiah (Hanukkah
menorah) in Jerusalem pub. (YouTube capture)

Shabbat Shalom

Welcome to Parasha Miketz (At the End), this week’s Torah Portion.

Today is the last day of Hanukkah before the Shabbat
begins at sundown tonight.

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) last night.

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 4:2–3)

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)