Parasha for the Week: Mikets: Genesis 41:1 – 44:17
Haftarah for the Week: 1 Kings 3:15 – 4:1
Besorat Yeshua: Mark 13:5 - 17
Overview
Yoseph is in prison and the Pharaoh has a dream that no one can interpret.
Yoseph is called for, he interprets the dream and Pharaoh makes him second in Egypt.
Yoseph stocks up the grain in Egypt for the 7 years of plenty.
The drought comes and everyone comes to Egypt for grain including Yoseph's brothers.
Yoseph's brothers do not recognize him.
Yoseph devious a plan to find out if his brothers are repentant by holding one of the brothers as a prisoner until they bring Yoseph's younger brother Benjamin is brought to him.
Inspite of Yakov's fear of losing Benjamin, in allows Benjamin to go to Egypt.
"Forgiveness"
Rav of Shadik, Poland was newly appointed in a synagogue when he was warned of a particular Jew who was known as a government informer, who would strong-arm the previous Rabbi and community leaders into giving him high honors in the synagogue and into allowing him to lead the rituals. The new Rav would stand for none of this. When the man was called for the reading of the Torah, he began making his way to the bimah, when suddenly the new Rabbi shouted, "Where do you think you are going? You are an informant to the government which is of the worst crimes a Jew can commit. How dare you take a place for an aliyah? Get out of the synagogue! The man froze in horror. Then he shook his fist at the Rabbi while muttering, "I will teach you all a lesson." A few months later, the Rav was on his way to perform a brit Mila (circumcision). He was a mile outside the city when suddenly a wagon with the informer overtook his coach. The informer jumped to the footrest of the wagon, and threw himself in front of the Rabbi and began to beg for forgiveness from the entire community. The Rabbi explained, "Solomon tells us, 'Like a reflection in the water so is the face of man to man'" (Proverbs 27:19). After I admonished this man, I tried to find out about his good qualities. Then I focused on creating a deep love for this Jew and that love exuded from my soul. When the informer saw me today, he experienced that love that I had for him and he reciprocated. He understood his terrible misdeeds of his past life and repented with a sincere heart. It is only through that love that he repented and we became endeared to each other.
"What is the Answer"
A well-to-do Jewish farmer in Poland was looking for an appropriate match for his daughter. Being a Talmud scholar, he arranged to give a lecture at the local yeshiva with the proviso that whoever could solve the Talmudic problem he presented would be considered for his son-in-law. He presented a brilliant presentation which dazzled the students. However, since none of the young men could find a solution, he got onto his car and started to head to the next yeshiva in a nearby town. Glancing back after he had driven for a few minutes, he saw one of the yeshiva lads running with all his might to catch the wagon. Stopping the car, he waited for the young man to catch up and to catch his breath. "So," says the farmer, "You have an answer to my question?" "No," replies the young man, "but I have to know. What is the answer?"
"Ah," smiles the farmer, "a man like you is someone I want to consider for a son-in-law!"
HAFTARAH 1 Kings 3:15 – 4:1
Parasha: Yosef is well known as the one who can solve problem, and explain dreams. "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can inter¬pret it." (Genesis 41:15-16).
Haftarah: "God gave Solomon very great wisdom" (1Kings 4:29). "Two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. The one woman said, "Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house. Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. We were together; there was no one else with us in the house, only the two of us were in the house. Then this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. She got up in the middle of the night and took my son from beside me while your servant slept. She laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, I saw that he was dead; but when I looked at him closely in the morning, clearly it was not the son I had borne." But the other woman said, "No, the living son is mine, and the dead son is yours." The first said, "No, the dead son is yours, and the living son is mine." So they argued before the king. Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; while the other says, 'Not so! Your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'" So the king said, "Bring me a sword," and they brought a sword before the king. The king said, "Divide the liv¬ing boy in two; then give half to the one, and half to the other." But the woman whose son was alive said to the king—because compassion for her son burned within her—"Please, my lord, give her the living boy; certainly do not kill him!" The other said, "It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it." Then the king responded: "Give the first woman the living boy; do not kill him. She is his mother." All Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered; and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to execute justice. (1Kings 3:16-28)
Besorat Yeshua Mark 13:5 - 17
Parasha: Yosef tells Pharaoh what will be in the future, years of abundance and of famine.
Besorah: Yeshua is the one who is full of wisdom and who is able to reveal the future. He announces to his disciples what will be the signs of his coming back ""Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs. "As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. , " (Mark 13:5-13)
The description of our world is exactly what Yeshua announced, earthquake, war, lack of love and the good news is now spread all overy the world. Yeshua's prophecy will be fulfilled, just like the prophecy of Yosef.
