This Week’s Torah Portion: Mikeitz – Hanukkah – מִקֵּץ – חֲנֻכָּה (Genesis 41:1−44:17)
“Joseph named his first-born Manasseh, meaning, “God has made me forget completely my hardship and my parental home.” (Genesis 41:51).
Joseph marries the daughter of an Egyptian priest, changes his name, dresses like an Egyptian, and thanks God for allowing him to forget his father’s home. He truly assimilates and changes everything about his identity, yet when he encounters his brothers in the next Torah portion, he says “I am Joseph,” teaching us that you can never hide who you truly are.
Parsha Mikeitz – Hanukkah – מִקֵּץ – חֲנֻכָּה Torah Summary:
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s two dreams and predicts seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. (41:1-32)
Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of food collection and distribution. (41:37-49)
Joseph marries Asenath, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (41:50-52)
When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He holds Simeon hostage while the rest of the brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin for him. (42:3-42:38)
The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and for more food. Joseph continues the test, this time falsely accusing Benjamin of stealing and declaring that Benjamin must remain his slave. (43:1-44:17) Mikeitz – Hanukkah – מִקֵּץ – חֲנֻכָּה
