Sometimes hope emerges in unexpected times and places, if we
remain open to the possibility of light emerging out of darkness.
Our Torah portion for this week, Vayeshev is filled with loss and despair. Jacob mourns bitterly for his beloved son
Joseph, whom he believes is dead.
Meanwhile, Joseph (who has, in fact, been sold into slavery by his
brothers) is carried into exile in Egypt, where he will languish for many years
in Pharaoh’s prison. As the portion
ends, despite Joseph’s gift for dreaming and dream interpretation, he is
essentially forgotten. In the darkest
depths of the dungeon, all hope seems lost.
It is no coincidence that we often read this parashah around the beginning of
Chanukah (this year, the Festival of Lights begins on Saturday night). Chanukah arrives at the darkest season of the
year, at the new moon closest to the winter solstice. The situation of the Maccabees, pitted
against the mighty Assyrian empire, also seems hopeless. Like Joseph, they face a dark night of the
soul. The old, familiar, comfortable
paths are all closed off to them. They
face overwhelming odds, with little sustenance and profoundly limited options.
And yet Joseph ultimately rises and the Maccabees
prevail. Each of these incredible
underdogs defies the probabilities—and each begins by nurturing a tiny spark of
light. Joseph always holds the memory of
his youthful dreams, and the possibility that they might yet come true. The Maccabees muster the faith and courage to
kindle light. In both cases, there are
no guarantees that the flames of hope will flourish. But Joseph and the Maccabees share the wisdom
that in dark times, we must ignite our own little lights and hope that
others—including God—will sustain them.
We must take the first steps to banish darkness, and believe that when
we do, our efforts will spread and inspire others to help illuminate the world.
The poet Rumi wrote:
Night comes so people
can sleep like fish
in black water. Then day.
Some people pick up
their tools.
Others become the making
itself.
In this season, let our lives be the lights the reawaken
hope and compassion.
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