S
Torah Portion
God's Plan For Us Allows
Freedom To Shane Our Lives
concept have written their own pre-
scription for failure. We should say
beshert only after the fact, and not
in advance.
The student who begins the
semester with the attitude that he
has no influence over his academic
achievement will fail. A husband
•and wife who take a detached view
uring the course of these
of their marriage, uncertain as to
weeks, we read the story
whether they will be joyful or miser-
of Joseph and his broth-
able, will have an unhappy and
ers. From the perspective
unfulfilled relationship.
of the biblical narrator, we are to
Where does the truth lie? Are we
understand that every element of
driving or are we driven?
this saga is related to the
Are we the masters of our
unfolding of a Divine plan
fate or its subjects?
that transcends this tale of
Judaism, in the fullness of
brotherly hatred, revenge
its wisdom, declares that
and ultimate reconciliation.
both positions are true,
As a result of the hatred
with each side having a
of the brothers of Joseph,
legitimate claim.
he is sold into slavery. The
Man is both strong and
Midianites transport him to
weak, powerful and help-
Egypt, where he is available
less. Much of his life is
to interpret Pharaoh's
beyond his control, but a
RABBI IRWIN
dreams. Because of his wise
margin of freedom is avail-
GRO NER
interpretation, he is elevat-
able to each of us; and
Specia 1 to the
ed to the position of
within that slice of life
Jewis h News
viceroy. Then, he becomes
which is ours, we are
the provider for his family,
judged. This is where our
bringing his father and
humanity is tested, and our respon-
brothers and their families to Egypt.
sibility as Jews is measured.
Then, "there did arise a Pharaoh
If we want to achieve our moral
who knew not Joseph" and enslaved
purpose with all our heart and soul,
the people of Joseph. This was all
God will help us to exercise that
part of God's purpose; for the
will. This helps explain the miracle
Hebrew people would be redeemed.
of Jewish survival, which we affirm
The exodus from Egypt would lead
this week of Chanukah.
to the unfolding of an even greater
It was not fate that has enabled
purpose, which is the giving of the
us to endure and create as a people,
Torah, thereby establishing an eter-
despite the oppression and cruelty .
nal covenant between God and the
to which we were subjected. We
Jewish people.
lived by commitments that were so
Every step of the drama was
strong and compelling that the per-
required to fulfill God's grand
secution of our enemies and the
design.
hostility of our environment could
The story of Joseph causes us to
not break our spirit.
confront the question of control in
Therefore, we are challenged to
our lives, or are we subject to laws of
discover the area of freedom in
causation, which govern our actions?
which to make our moral choices, to
How we answer this question shapes
shape decisions uniquely our own
the character of our existence.
and to demonstrate that we are the
When a person believes that he
masters of our destiny. ❑
has lost mastery over his life, he has
abdicated his moral power. The per-
son who believes that he is helpless
has made himself helpless. He who
has declared he can do nothing has
created a self-fulfilling prophecy or,
From a philosophical perspec-
even worse, a self-justifying progno-
tive, do we direct the course of
sis.
events or does the tide of history
The Yiddish term for fate is besh-
carry us along without seeking .
ert. Those who misinterpret this
our will? Are we driving or are
Shabbat Mikketz:
Genesis 41:1-44:17;
Numbers 7:54-8:4;
I Kings 7:40-50.
D
THREE THINGS TO DO ON CHRISTMAS DAY:
1)See a movie.
2)Go For Chinese Food.
3)Chute file world.
Parlicipale in ['ORATION'S MITIVAII DAY
will hundreds of oilier volunteers
Wednesday, December 25.
Feed the hungry
Visit the elderly
Lend a hand
We'll stlft with breakfast and briefing at the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
Max M. Fisher Federation Building
6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills
(south of Maple).
After briefing, we will carpool to the volunteer sites.
.
Reservations are filled first come, first served.
Phone reservations not accepted.
You will receive a confirmation and check-in time
in the mail.
Projects last between two and four hours.
Program Chairs
Reservations deadline - December 9
Following deadline, responses will be wait listed.
Beth Radner
Robin Schwartz
For more information, contact Alaine Waldshan (248) 203-1486, or e-mail: waldshan@jfmd.org
Sign up online at: www.thisisfederation.org
M■ 111111, 1101114
Foteatioa's Community Outreach &
&Illation Department
This is Federation
Country Woods® Collection
Conversations
Irwin Groner
is senior rabbi of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
we driven? Are we the masters of
our fate or its subjects?
Free In-Home Service • Free Professional Measure At No Obligation
ilUND
SPOT
Call today for a free
in-home presentation
Southfield • 248-352-8622
Canton • 734-692-5002
21728 W. Eleven Mile Rd. • Harvard Row Mall • Southfield, MI 48076
•,
12/6
2002
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