Shabbat Parashat Miketz Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Tevet – Day 1 Shabbat Chanukah – Day 6 Recalling Our Dreams

Dear Friends,

This Shabbat we celebrate Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah!  Lots of joy and lots of hope!  And, we will enjoy the first of a three part presentation on Jewish Ethics by our own Rabbi Professor Dr. Richard Freund!  I hope you won’t miss this wonderful opportunity whether you are able to join us in person or on Zoom.  It is sure to be a treat!

During this week’s Torah reading we read the following: “For though Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.  Recalling the dreams that he had dreamed about them, Jospeh said to them….” (Genesis 42:8-9).  You know the rest of the story.  The brothers ultimately were reunited after years and years of estrangement.

Embedded in this sentence is the message that we sometimes forget our childhood dreams.  We sometimes forget who we are at the core of our being.  Yet, recalling our dreams may be the best thing that can happen to us.

Especially as we “age and sage”, recalling our dreams can take us to the next level.  Anger and jealousy having abated with time, Joseph and his family were finally able to be themselves and align their best selves with their most worthy aspirations.  And, Joseph was able to see the hand of God in all that had transpired and convey that message to his brothers.

May we all be blessed with the ability to recall our dreams and turn them into magnificent blessings.

Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov and a very Happy Chanukah!

Rabbi Gilah Dror