Dear Friends,
Joseph knew he was different. While his brothers worked and studied together, Joseph attached himself to his father. It became apparent to Jacob that Joseph was special. Although he was one of the youngest sons, Jacob could see that he was the son that would lead the family, and ultimately the fledgling Jewish nation.

We watch as Joseph navigates his process towards greatness. He starts off as a guileless youth, oversharing his grandiose dreams and causing his brothers to feel jealousy towards him and to sell him into slavery. He navigates life as a slave, a prisoner, and then, in a shocking turn of events, becomes the royal advisor to Pharoh.

In his new leadership position, he prepares Egypt for famine and becomes the primary shareholder in the largest business in the known world, the food industry. People flocked to Egypt to purchase grain at astronomical prices, amongst them, his brothers, who had sold him as a slave.

Joseph faced challenges of loneliness, abandonment, imprisonment, shame, and then pride and a huge ego boost. Throughout that entire process, Joseph remained in connection with G-d, helping him find balance and unshakable faith.

This week we celebrate Chanukah, the holiday of light. Light is the force that brings clarity where before there was confusion and darkness. When we illuminate a room, we can see its contents. When we illuminate our souls, we can see the thread that connects us to G-d. This clarity is the message of Joseph and the message of Chanukah. In order to find balance and clarity in our lives, no matter what they may bring, we must turn towards our light, towards our connection with the eternal G-d. When we try to navigate this life blindly, we stumble and fall into painful habits, emotional potholes, and face confusing choices. When we find our connection with G-d, we can deal with whatever life throws our way while remaining in a space of peace and balance, just like Joseph did, just as the Maccabees did. They overcame, and so will we.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin