HaShavua Miketz / At The End Of

another contribution from Rabbi Farber. Thanks again, Brad

Parashat HaShavua Miketz / At The End Of

This Week's Reading List:
BeReshit / Genesis 41:1-44:17
Melachim Aleph / 1 Kings 7:40-50
Korintim Aleph / 1 Corinthians 2:1-5


Bereshit {41:25} Yoseph (Joseph) said to Pharaoh, "The dream of Pharaoh is one. What G-D is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh. {41:26} The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years. The dream is one. {41:27} The seven lean and ill-favoured cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind; they will be seven years of famine. {41:28} That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh. What G-D is about to do he has shown to Pharaoh. {41:29} Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Mitzrayim (Egypt). {41:30} There will arise after them seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Mitzrayim. The famine will consume the land, {41:31} and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous. {41:32} The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by G-D, and G-D will shortly bring it to pass.

There are countless famines and droughts happening in diverse places throughout the world -- even now as I am writing this D'var Torah! In fact Yisrael (Israel) is going through one of its worst droughts since its rebirth. Water rationing is in place and heavy fines are being imposed against those who use excessive water. Every Israeli citizen has been required to register with the water authority. Depending on how many people live in the same residence, they are allotted their monthly water quota. If the water ration is exceeded then, like I said, there is a heavy fine that is levied.

It is not difficult to discern from Scripture that droughts and famines are providential. Right here in our Parasha this week HaShem reveals through Pharaoh's dreams that He will be subjecting Mitzrayim to an extended famine. Famines are caused by drought (lack of rain) and blistering heat. However, as we know from Parasha Miketz, HaShem did not send famine into the land of Mitzrayim for no reason. HaShem always has a purpose for what He does. In this case it was to elevate Yoseph to the position of viceroy in Mitzrayim so that, in the process of time, the dreams HaShem sent Yoseph so many years ago would be fulfilled.

Our G-d is in total control of the weather. After all, He created the earth, and it is He who maintains and sustains it. So, if HaShem withholds rain that intern causes droughts and famines, then He would not be doing it out of capriciousness, but rather for a purpose, as He did in this week's Parasha. What is G-d's purpose? It is that He would be glorified. Look at all the famines around the world today and judge for yourself. Are the countries experiencing these famines and droughts serving the one true G-d, the G-d of Heaven and earth, the G-d of Yisrael? Certainly not! If by chance one of the countries calls themselves ‘Christian', are they truly serving G-d, are they honouring His Torah?

Whenever there is a devastating famine in an apostate country and the Red Cross, the United Nations or other humanitarian organizations go on a massive fundraising campaign to assist those who are affected I often struggle with the idea of giving. This is my logic: If I truly believe that HaShem is in control of the weather and that He uses rain or the lack thereof as a blessing or a punishment, then will my giving be interfering with the will and sovereignty of G-d? Will I be interfering with His purpose? There is nothing I would like more than to alleviate the suffering of a fellow human being. However, if that suffering is a result of their disobedience to G-d and for the purpose of glorifying God, then I have to ask, “Should I get involved?”

Bereshit {11:13} It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to my mitzvoth (commandments) which I command you this day, to love HaShem your G-D, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your nefesh (soul), {11:14} that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, and your new wine, and your oil. {11:15} I will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you shall eat and be full. {11:16} Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; {11:17} and the anger of HaShem be kindled against you, and he shut up the sky, so that there shall be no rain, and the land shall not yield its fruit; and you perish quickly from off the good land which HaShem gives you.

Zecharyah (Zechariah) {14:17} And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to worship the King, Ad-nai Tz'vaot (the L-rd of Hosts), there will be no rain on them. {14:18} And if the family of Mitzrayim does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which HaShem smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate Sukkot (Tabernacles). {14:19} This will be the punishment of Mitzrayim, and the punishment of all the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Sukkot.

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Baruch HaShem
Rabbi Ya'acov Farber

Hallelujah for our Lord, our Teacher,our Rabbi, "YESHUA" King Messiah for ever and ever!!!