Mikeitz
In this week's parsha, Mikeitz, Pharaoh conveys his dreams to Yosef--of healthy cows being swallowed by weak cows and of seven healthy ears of grain being consumed by seven unhealthy ears. Yet when Yosef interprets the dreams (which are in fact a single prophesy), Yosef focuses first on the upcoming years of famine, not on the years of abundance. Similarly, there is no recorded comment from the Egyptian people during the years of plenty, but when the seven years of famine occurr the Torah notes "just as Yosef had said."
We learn from both of these notes that we tend to take the status quo for granted--when it is positive. However, the negative times cause us pause. This is why Yosef focuses first on the years of famine--to get Pharaoh's attention. It is also why the Egyptians only take note when the famine begins; they do not necessarily see the hand of Hashem in the years of prosperity. This sentiment has even been popularized in the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi: "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." We've all certainly appreciated our health so much more after any sort of illness. Ironically these difficult times often help us remember how reliant we are on Hashem at all times.
This year in particular I've noticed how much of a huge impact it makes when any of the Yeshiva Atlanta teachers or students are absent. Until this year I never really understood when Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Beth Jacob stressed what a difference each person makes during davening, but now it makes all the sense in the world to me. Because of the absences of my colleagues, from illness, death in the family, or even jury duty, I have to come to appreciate how strong a team we are when we are all present. The absence of any particular student also leaves a gaping hole, as the hallways and classes are different and less rich for the absence of any one teen. The challenge for me is to express this gratitude to everyone at the school when we are all present, rather than waiting for an absence to bring our usual good fortune into stark relief.
During this Shabbat Chanukah, my personal resolve going forward is to make every effort to show appreciation to Hashem as well as the wonderful people in my life, during bad times AND during great times.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
We learn from both of these notes that we tend to take the status quo for granted--when it is positive. However, the negative times cause us pause. This is why Yosef focuses first on the years of famine--to get Pharaoh's attention. It is also why the Egyptians only take note when the famine begins; they do not necessarily see the hand of Hashem in the years of prosperity. This sentiment has even been popularized in the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi: "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." We've all certainly appreciated our health so much more after any sort of illness. Ironically these difficult times often help us remember how reliant we are on Hashem at all times.
This year in particular I've noticed how much of a huge impact it makes when any of the Yeshiva Atlanta teachers or students are absent. Until this year I never really understood when Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Beth Jacob stressed what a difference each person makes during davening, but now it makes all the sense in the world to me. Because of the absences of my colleagues, from illness, death in the family, or even jury duty, I have to come to appreciate how strong a team we are when we are all present. The absence of any particular student also leaves a gaping hole, as the hallways and classes are different and less rich for the absence of any one teen. The challenge for me is to express this gratitude to everyone at the school when we are all present, rather than waiting for an absence to bring our usual good fortune into stark relief.
During this Shabbat Chanukah, my personal resolve going forward is to make every effort to show appreciation to Hashem as well as the wonderful people in my life, during bad times AND during great times.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
