Friday, December 23, 2022

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/2022/12/chuck-kolb_17.html
How You Will Becom Holy - 12/17/22
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/12/sermon_17.html

Situation WW3 Updates 12/18/22 Polar Vortex - Earth Changes - Out of Shadows - Circling Update
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/12/and-as-it-was-in-days-of-noah-so-it.html
Situation WW3 Updates 12/20/22 X Files Depop True - Title 42 - J6 Final - JFK Files - Ungovernable
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/12/chuck-kolb-situation-updates_21.html
Situation WW3 Updates 12/21/22 NYT Nazis - Flu Jab Mrna - $1.7T Omnibus  
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/12/chuck-kolb-situation-updates_22.html
Situation WW3 Updates 12/22/22 Dr. Malone Gov't Lies - Brunson SCOTUS - DOJ Trump J6 - Expose Cabal
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/12/chuck-kolb-situation-updates_56.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
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph 5:11
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. I will never forget thy precepts:
for with them thou hast quickened me. Psalm 119:60,93
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  
לשבור לחם ביחד Shabbat Shalom Mishpacha
#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-5783/ 

The Light of the World Born in Bethlehem
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/the-light-of-the-world-born-in-bethlehem/

Bible Prophecy Fulfilled: The Coming of the Messiah‏
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/bible-prophecy-fulfilled-the-coming-of-the-messiah/

God Wants to Set You Free! Find Out How
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/god-wants-set-free-find/
No One Else Brings Salvation but Yeshua
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/one-else-brings-salvation-yeshua/
Are You a Jew? The Answer Might Surprise You
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-jew-fname-the-answer-might-surprise-you/

 
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/

Yeshua's Truth & Christianity's Lies - האמת של ישוע ושקרי הנצרות
vid> https://youtu.be/UAPArABi838 (2:42:51) 12/11/22
Rabbi Guy Cohen הרב גיא כהן > https://www.youtube.com/@rabbiguycohen/videos

 
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://www.brighthubeducation.com/studying-a-language/58611-yiddish-expressions-for-the-holidays/
https://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/glossary.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

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Ralph Messer ...
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash - Joy of God’s Teaching and Instruction

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

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 an 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/live/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/RalphMesser/videos
https://stbm.org/study-home/  https://stbm.org/rrm-subscriptions/  https://store2.torah.tv/ 

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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 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/ Weekly Newsletter - 36 years  
The Mystery of the Red Heifer: Divine Promise of Purity
https://templeinstitute.org/red-heifer/
Jerusalem Lights - Rabbi Chaim Richman
https://www.youtube.com/c/JerusalemLightsRabbiChaimRichman/videos

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Jachter ...
Kol Torah Academy of Bergen County  

Parashat Mikeitz - Kislev 30, 5783 - December 23, 2022
https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=Mikeitz
https://www.koltorah.org/s/Kol-Torah-Mikeitz-2022-3.pdf (4 page pdf)
Chanukah > https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=Chanukah
https://www.koltorah.org/by-parashah  https://www.koltorah.org/parashah
https://www.koltorah.org/rav-jachters-halachah-files
Yeshiva > https://www.tabc.org/  https://www.instagram.com/koltorah.tabc/
https://www.koltorah.org/about-us > https://www.koltorah.org/books
Rabbi Jachter on JM in the AM with Nachum Segal talking about his book
mp3> Bridging Traditions: Demystifying Differences Between Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews! (23:59)
https://nachumsegal.com/nachum-and-rabbi-haim-jachter-explore-bridging-traditions-on-jm-in-the-am/
Does the Torah Reject Democracy? > Rabbi Chaim Jachter
https://www.koltorah.org/halachah/does-the-torah-reject-democracy-by-rabbi-chaim-jachter 

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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=12/24/2022  
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/converter_cdo/aid/6225/jewish/Jewish-Hebrew-Date-Converter.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/blog/
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/  
 
Hanukkah Antisemitism, Then and Now
https://theisraelbible.com/hanukkah-antisemitism-then-and-now/
 
The 39 Acts Forbidden on the Sabbath
https://theisraelbible.com/the-39-acts-forbidden-on-the-sabbath/
https://theisraelbible.com/the-true-day-of-rest/

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/


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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DONALD DATES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Trump
Frederick Christ Trump (Drumpf) 10/11/1905
Mary Anne Trump nיe MacLeod 5/10/1912
Donald, Jr. 12/31/77
Eric 1/6/84
Jared Kushner 1/10/81

Events > https://www.donaldjtrump.com/events
Watch > https://rumble.com/c/RSBN RSBN  
https://rumble.com/c/DonaldTrump Donald J. Trump

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Good News From Israel - Achievements and Heartwarming Stories

In the 18th Dec 22 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2022/12/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-18th.html
http://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/
 
Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly
https://mishpacha.com/  

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 21+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
https://www.israpundit.org/  
Israel should declare three nos;  no to nuclear Iran, no to two-state solution,
no to bi-national state  
 

Douglas Macgregor – Ukraine is Not Going to be There much Longer.
vid> https://youtu.be/2FWM0waMDA8 (6:23)
https://www.israpundit.org/douglas-macgregor-ukraine-is-not-going-to-be-there-much-longer/

Supremes to review case challenging American election results
‘These are not normal times’
https://www.israpundit.org/supremes-to-review-case-challenging-american-election-results/

Hundreds of US rabbis vow to block far-right Israel lawmakers from their communities
Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist leaders sign letter pledging to not allow some
of Netanyahu’s coalition partners from speaking in their synagogues
Their religion is progressivism rather than Jewish.
https://www.israpundit.org/hundreds-of-us-rabbis-vow-to-block-far-right-israel-lawmakers-from-their-communities/

The European Union’s subversion of Israel
Israel’s controversial Maccabean Three may be channeling Jewish history all over again.
https://www.israpundit.org/the-european-unions-subversion-of-israel/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/364845

Zelenski spoke to Congress
Tucker Carlson takes on the Zelensky money grab
vid> https://youtu.be/M9OAj-WcK44 (7:45)
https://www.israpundit.org/zelenski-spoke-to-congress/

The Two State Solution is no more
>> https://www.israpundit.org/63684392-2/
The Jordan Option Conference Videos reposted
>> https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-conference-videos/
https://www.israpundit.org/jordan-past-present-and-future-the-jordan-option-revisited/
>> 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/
>> The Ultimate Alternate Israel-Palestine Solution by Ted Belman
https://www.israpundit.org/the-ultimate-alternate-israel-palestine-solution-3/


Kindly donate to support the work I do
by Ted Belman

https://www.israpundit.org/please-donate/ 

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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

Welcome to Kashrut Malchut Shamayim
חנוכה שמח Chanukah Sameach!  
 

In Parsha Mi Keitz,
Joseph is rescued from jail by his ability to interpret dreams.  He foretells of seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of hunger and thus begins his ascension to the highest reaches of power in Egypt. Joseph’s wise counsel and careful planning lead Egypt through a terrible famine. While the weight of hunger is heavy throughout the surrounding lands, Egypt is full. On this Shabbat, coinciding with Hanukkah, we are going to fill you up with the a great latke recipe that is sure to get everyone to eat their veggies. I guarantee no one will go hungry this week!A Hanukkah Shabbat Menu
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/a-chanukah-shabbat-menu/

Malted Chocolate Divine Filled Doughnut
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/malted-chocolate-divine-filled-doughnut/

A Hanukkah Brunch Party Menu
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/a-brunch-hanukkah-party-menu/

Make the Best Latkes Ever
facevid< https://www.facebook.com/jamiegeller/videos/856510105394405/ (23:40)

Italian Catrese Latkes
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/caprese-latkes/

Israeli Bread Dipping Oil
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/israeli-bread-dipping-oil/

Israeli-Inspired Brisket
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/israeli-inspired-brisket/

Own a $1 Million Jerusalem Home While Supporting Israeli Charities!
Raffle drawing will be held on January 1, 2023
https://unitedwithisrael.thedreamraffle.com/cyber-monday-2022-triple-tickets/?a=jok_112822_cm

Vegan Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/search?query=vegan+recipes  
https://jamiegeller.com/browse/the-best-crowd-pleasing-vegan-appetizers/
Cook the 21 Most Popular Recipes of 2021
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/cook-the-21-most-popular-recipes-of-2021/

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

Support Our Farmers - Shmitah Mitzvah
http://supportourfarmers.org
https://tinyurl.com/Farmers-Guide-for-Produce (7 page pdf)

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/

Jamie's Honey Collection
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/779DC156-2368-4FA4-A098-872BBC7F03D2

Jerusalem Street Food with Jamie Geller Spices
vid> https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CluuvDpk-FSMnt4zj.html (10:56) JewLish   
Machane Yehuda - https://jamiegeller.com/browse/a-haute-market-in-jerusalem-the-shuk/
https://jamiegeller.com/browse/4-israeli-desserts-inspired-by-the-shuk-in-jerusalem/

The Jamie Geller Spice Collection: Now Available Worldwide!
Sending you love and my heartfelt wishes for peace, from Israel.
New Trio of Pilaf Mixes - Mujadara Lentil, Festive Herb and Jeweled Almond
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jamie+Geller/page/55E36343-CF6F-4E88-A4D5-D7C1C0274F7F
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jamiegeller  

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/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/cholent/

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

Free Hebrew course Aleph Bet
This entire four-lesson course in 30 minutes.
https://academy.aish.com/course/aleph-bet

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/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/


8 Global Fried Food Recipes For Hanukkah - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/mmdy1llmaw5sab00hkuu/
Download the Sweeter Than Honey - free eBook
https://engage.aish.com/sweeter-than-honey-ebook/
The Ultimate Challah - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.ac-page.com/pinterest-challah
Modern Israeli Kebobs - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.acemlnc.com/lt.php?=s=a476321cee1a62660d5e43a07fe84c19&i=109A824A1A5341
Join My Way Better Cooking Class with Jamie Geller
https://get.waybetter.com/jamiegeller/
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/
Fresh Families Healthy Meal Plan
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/meal-plans/fresh-families-healthy-meal-plan/
LIVE Series: FEED YOUR SOUL
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/feed-your-soul/
 

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 4:23)
 
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 Synag
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