In Portion Miketz, Joseph pushes his brothers. He asks personal questions and puts them through a series of tests, but for what reason?

This familial strife is also found in the Hanukkah story. The Maccabees fought not only the Greeks but their fellow Jews who had chosen a life of pagan Hellenism. The Maccabee family emerged at the end of the war strong and united. So too, Joseph’s brothers came together to defend their youngest brother, Benjamen, showing how they’d truly changed their ways.

As Joseph, his brothers, and the Maccabees learned, the nation of Israel lives because they have the same father. Am Israel Chai, Od Avinu Chai.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Hanukkah!

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