Parashat Vayeshev 5763/2002
EJD
Happy Chanukah! Chanukah Day 1 - Second Candle in the evening
The Bagel: Inauguration. There is a common structure to incorporate all of the readings, including the Chanukah readings, plus the Brit Chadashah using the idea of inauguration. Inauguration speaks of something important about to commence. If we examine the readings based on the following structure, then a common pattern emerges:
Structure of Inauguration:
- Premature inauguration
- Problem of inauguration
- Promise of inauguration
A premature inauguration can be something that prospers, but is insufficient to meet the conditions necessary to bring inauguration to proper commencement. The problem of inauguration is(are) some problem(s) that show the premature condition as incapable of commencing the inauguration. The promise of inauguration is a statement that promises Divine intervention to bring about the inauguration in the future.
For example, Joseph's blessedness at home, as shown by the coat of many colors, would not have been sufficient to make him viceroy of Egypt in a time when Israel was going to have to live in Egypt. But his brother's action of selling him as a slave to the Midianites threatened to destroy the possibility of Joseph's future rule over his family. Jacob could have died in grief over his loss. Joseph could not rule as a slave, plus he was separated from his family. Only the promise of his rule in chapter 37, signified by Joseph's dreams, made inauguration possible.
Seeing how the structure of inauguration works out in the readings is shown by the following:
Torah
Premature Problem Promise
Joseph's coat Joseph sold Joseph's dreams (Gen 37)
Judah's sons Judah's shame Judah's son (Gen 38)
Joseph's coat* Joseph jailed chamberlain's dreams (Gen 39)
Joseph's jail* Joseph forgotten Pharoah's dreams (Gen 40-41)
*(symbol of Joseph's prosperity - in Potipher's house & in prison)
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Haftarah - Amos 2:6-3:8 (this is an inverse or a negative concept of inauguration, which, in this case, is impending judgment on Israel for sins)
Premature Problem Promise
3 sins of Israel 4th sin* Judgment certain
*(judgment not immediate)
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Shabbot Chanukah Zechariah 2:14(10)-4:7
Premature Problem Promise
Joshua* Joshua's garment Temple rebuilt
*(unconsecrated)
Zerrubabel* Great Mountain Temple rebuilt
*as "The Branch"
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Chanukah (a reading of history)
Premature Problem Promise
Temple OK desecration rededication
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Brit Chadashah (combined with a 1st century reading of history)
Premature Problem Promise
Kingly Messiah Times of Gentiles Romans 11
This worked out in history as:
Herod's rule war with Rome Israel's future restoration
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The Brit Chadashah is clear. All that was promised will have its fulfillment in the future:
"Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the Jews turned down God's offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when the Jews finally accept it.... For since the Jews' rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, how much more wonderful their acceptance will be. It will be life for those who were dead! (The Day of Resurrection)" (Romans 11:12, 15 NLT).
Cream Cheese: Inauguration is in His resurrection!
The weekly reading for the week of 25 Kislev, 5763 - Nov 30, 2002 Torah: Vayeshev Genesis 37:1 to 40:23; Haftarah: Amos 2:6 to 3:8 is replaced in 2002 by Haftarat Shabbat Chanukah: Zechariah 2:14(10) to 4:7; Brit Chadashah: Romans 11:1-24
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