Chanukah and Throwing Joseph Into the Pit

Lighting the Menorah represents the introduction of truly sublime levels of spiritual light into our Earthly realm that transcends the normal levels of spirituality. The ultimate goal is to make the transcendence “visible” and accessible to the lower levels, so that everyone is illuminated and basks in its light.

Placing the Menorah too High

The Talmud in discussing the laws of the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah quotes a Rabbi Kahana who cited Rabbi Noson bar Menyumi’s exposition in the name of Rabbi Tanchum:

One who places a Chanukah light above 20 cubits is invalid just like a Sukkah [which is covered by branches. These branches must be lower than 20 cubits] and an alley [in the laws of the Shabbos one cannot carry within a semi public domain such as an alley without placing a beam over the entrance to serve as a fourth wall and enclosure. This beam cannot be placed higher than 20 cubits..

Immediately after this discussion of the laws of Chanukah the Talmud continues by citing the same rabbis:

Rabbi Kahana who cited Rabbi Noson bar Menyumi’s exposition in the name of Rabbi Tanchum: What is the meaning of the verse, “and the pit was empty; it had no water in it.” From the words wit was empty’ we can infer that it had no water, so why does the Torah have to state that it had no water. It is to tell us that it had no waster, but it was infested with snakes and scorpions.”

Commentators grapple with the juxtaposition of these two statements. What do they have in common other than they were said by the same trio of rabbis and that the Torah reading concerning Joseph and his brothers always coincides with Chanukah. However, we must understand that there is a thematic connection between these two statements.

Joseph Misjudged

Reuvein, who sought to save Joseph’s life, wanted to rehabilitate Joseph thinking that his behavior and attitude were incompatible with Jacob’s ideals.

In truth, however, it was a serious misjudgment of Joseph, whose spiritual elevation was above and beyond the level and “view” of his brothers. Joseph was certainly not a rebel and did not need rehabilitation. Indeed, he was head and shoulders above his brothers and that is why they misunderstood him.

Joseph was “guilty” of one thing. While he rightfully maintained his superiority over his brothers, it was wrong of him not to endeavor to relate to them.

Joseph could have retained his superior spiritual approach and simultaneously found ways of connecting to his brothers despite their inferior status. And, when Joseph finally reached the pinnacle of his spiritual career, which coincided with his rise to power as the Viceroy of Egypt, he did indeed find ways of relating to and finding common ground with them.

The problem with placing the Chanukah Menorah above twenty cubits is that it minimizes its visibility. Lighting the Menorah represents the introduction of truly sublime levels of spiritual light into our Earthly realm that transcends the normal levels of spirituality. The ultimate goal is to make the transcendence “visible” and accessible to the lower levels, so that everyone is illuminated and basks in its light.

Placing the lights of the Chanukah Menorah above twenty cubits parallels Joseph’s superior but remote stance that led to his brothers’ misjudging him which, in turn, resulted in his bring thrown into the pit with snakes and scorpions.

Moshiach Transcendence Internalized

One of the salient features of the Messianic Age is that the most sublime Divine energies will be fully exposed. In the past, as in the days of the Holy Temples, when that happened it did not always yield positive results. It was comparable to the placement of the lights of the Chanukah menorah beyond the view of most people. The Divine light that shone in the Temple did not always enlighten the people outside. As a consequence, many of the Jews were seduced by Hellenism, which sought to assimilate the Jews into Greek culture. Too much light will blind the common folk, which can be just as injurious as giving them too little light.

In the days of Moshiach, however, that problem will be fully rectified. On the one hand, we will experience so sublime a light that it will transcend the level that was evident in the days of the Beis Hamikdash, a sample of which we experience every Chanukah. On the other hand, precisely because this will be the ultimate transcendent light, it will be eminently accessible to everyone. We will have our proverbial “Chanukah latkes and eat them too.”

From the book Light from the Future: Chanukah by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.