Judah and Judah
The name Jew derives from the word Judah. This implies that every one of us has the responsibility to demonstrate awareness of their uniqueness, their G-d given potential to illuminate the world with light. Every Jew possesses a spark of Moshiach, which may lie dormant. As we kindle the Chanukah lights, each and every one of us is capable of igniting that spark, that will illuminate the darkness and evil that plagues the world today.
Joseph and the Maccabees
Chanukah always coincides with this week’s Parsha of Miketz. According to R. Isaiah Horowitz, the author of the classic work known by the acronym Shelah, one can always find a connection between a Holiday and the weekly Torah portion that is read at that particular time.
What possible connection can there between the confrontation of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt and the story of the Hasmonean revolt that culminated in the miracle of Chanukah?
One immediate connection comes to mind. Joseph assumed the position of king and exercised this power over his brothers. Likewise the Maccabees assumed leadership of the Jewish people — including the Hellenists, their ideological adversaries — upon their successful ouster of the Syrian- Greek legions from power in Israel.
The parallel is even more striking when we consider the fact that Judah was originally the “king” of his brothers.
Indeed, it were Judah’s descendants — King David and his descendants — who were to be designated as the ultimate leaders of the Jewish people. Yet, Joseph “usurped” that role of kingship and relegated Judah to a secondary position.
Similarly, the Maccabees were actually Kohanim (Priests) whose role within the Jewish community should have been reserved for the descendants of King David and Judah. Judah the Maccabee took the monarchy from the descendants of Judah, the son of Jacob. Maimonides and Nachmanides differ as to whether the Maccabees erred when they arrogated the position of royalty for their priestly family. According to Maimonides, one of the reasons for the celebration of Chanukah was the restoration of the monarchy.
Lost Royalty
This was not the first time that the seat of royalty was taken away from its rightful owner. Once before, in the generation following King Solomon’s reign, the prophet Achiyah Of Shilo predicted that the monarchy will be wrested away from Solomon’s heirs and a rival monarchy would be established and led by Jeroboam, from the tribe of Ephraim, a descendent of Joseph.
In effect there were three models where Judah’s leadership was challenged; either it was taken away from him or his tribe, or it was compromised.
What is the significance of this challenge to Judah that is the underlying theme of this week’s Parsha as well as of the Chanukah saga, and how does it relate to our lives?
Judah: Awareness and Gratitude
Judah was so named by his mother because she thanked G- d for having a fourth child. Prophetically, she knew that Jacob would have no more than twelve tribes. Since Jacob had four wives and using simple arithmetic it meant that each wife would bear Jacob three children. When she had her fourth child, she realized that G-d had given her a special gift; that she was unique. For that she was grateful.
Thus, Judah represents the awareness and gratitude that derives from this awareness, that we have been endowed with special gifts; that we are unique. To be aware of one’s special qualities and be grateful for them — the definition of the word Judah — is the hallmark of leadership that has forged the Jewish people and has paved the way for their contribution of light to the world. Conversely, to not be aware of one’s uniqueness renders one incapable of acting as a shining light to others and denies one their leadership role.
As was mentioned in an essay on last week’s Parsha, Judah did not initially live up to his potential of leadership when he made an ill-advised compromise to sell Joseph rather than return him to his father.
This stripped Judah, albeit temporarily, from his role as leader of the tribes that was given to Joseph, who did recognize his unique role as the provider of food to the entire world that was engulfed in a terrible famine. Joseph acted temporarily as Judah’s replacement to lead his brothers and indeed the entire world.
Many centuries later, when King Solomon failed to realize his G-d given potential to the maximum, he too was stripped of power. Others were given the opportunity to demonstrate true leadership.
And once more, when the descendants of Judah did not rise to the occasion to defend the Jews against the imposition of Greek culture upon them, leadership was temporarily taken away from the tribe of Judah and given to the Hasmonean with Judah the Maccabee at their head, the heroes of that period.
Judah will get it Right!
But, ultimately, we were promised that the tribe of Judah will get it right. The Messianic Age will be ushered in by Moshiach, a scion of Judah, King David and Solomon. At the appointed time, he will realize his G-d given potential and take the Jews out of exile, and usher in an age that will be characterized by its lack of compromised ideals of peace, truth, holiness and happiness. It will also be an age that will not be plagued by the divisions between brothers. And finally, the Jewish people will be inspired to light up their lives with the light of the Menorah of their souls and this light will extend to the entire world, as the prophet declares, “And nations shall go with your light.”
The name Jew derives from the word Judah. The implication of which is that every one of us has the responsibility to demonstrate awareness of their uniqueness, their G-d given potential to illuminate the world with light. Every Jew possesses a spark of Moshiach, which may lie dormant. But, as we kindle the Chanukah lights, each and every one of us is capable of igniting that spark, that will illuminate the darkness and evil that plagues the world today, particularly in the Land of Israel.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Miketz by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
