Parshat Miketz

Dear STOCS Friend:

After two years the cup bearer did not remember Joseph. On the surface, this may not be anything malicious. The butler, who spent years in jail, was freed after having his dream interpreted by Joseph. It might be seen as a normal consequence; the butler is overcome with joy with his newfound freedom. It was only after two years the cup bearer, mentioned Yosef’s power of interpretation to the Egyptian ruler. This was in reaction to Pharaoh’s dreams that no one was able to interpret.

This is a foreshadowing of how the so-called friends of Jews and Israel interact with and then forget us. Last week at the end of the parsha we read:

וְלֹא זָכַר שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים אֶת יוֹסֵף וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵהוּ

The cup bearer did not remember Yosef but in fact forgot about him.

We see this today with so many groups that boast Jewish members and supporters. Yet when the war against Hamas began, they forgot the friendship, bonds and shared vision with their Jewish friends.

Rashi tells us one of the reasons the butler was hesitant to remember Joseph was due to the fact he was a Hebrew. Regretfully, the hatred of the Jew is still alive and well today. People socialize with us and see us as friends at their convenience only to be thrown to the wolves for no logical reason.

Please God, may we see the end of anti-Semitism quickly and in our days.

Enjoy the rest of Chanukah and please God, I will see you in shul on Shabbas morning!

Rabbi Evan Shore