You’ve just received a in j jews the d spirit section torah portion Random Act of Kindness. Relationships Re-examined Share your random act using #NKPTRandomAct. For additional locations and information please visit NeilKingPT.com Bloomfield Hills Clinic FREE 1/2 HOUR Massage 36880 Woodward Ave Suite #102, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (248) 385-5707 EXCLUSIVE OFFER De-Stress on Us! Really, FREE! No gimmicks. Must present coupon at time of visit. Coupon not valid with any other service or offer. Coupon redeemable only at Bloomfield Hills location. No cash value. Expires 2/28/19. 36880 Woodward Ave Suite #102, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (248) 385-5707 COME TO FLORIDA IN THE NEW YEAR Now selling Valencia Bay Houses, Condos, and Rentals in Active Adult, Country Club and Beachside Communites Advantage Plus 4'FEFSBM)XZt#PDB3BUPO '- Elly & Ed Lepselter (561) 302-9374 ® MEL DRYMAN Raised in Detroit, Experienced in Arizona Your Professional & Dedicated ARIZONA REALTOR Mobile: (480) 239-8686 mel.dryman@azmoves.com Each Office Independently Owned and Operated 56 December 6 • 2018 jn J acob’s sons could recognize that Radak (Rabbi David Kimhi, 1160- a pervasive famine meant their 1235) suggests that it may have been families were on the brink of star- impossible for Joseph’s brothers to vation. They knew there was imagine that someone who food in Egypt, and that they had been sold into slavery could buy food from the one could rise to a position of very powerful man who was such power. This is under- in charge of its distribution. standable, too. What they did not know After all, the power dynam- was that this man was their ic between him and his broth- brother Joseph, whom they ers has also been completely Rabbi Ariana sold into slavery when he reversed. The brothers, who Silverman Contributing Writer was a teenager. They came once held Joseph’s life in their before Joseph, bowed low, and hands and convinced Jacob Parshat “When Joseph saw his broth- that Joseph was dead, are now Mikketz: ers he recognized them, but dependent on Joseph for their Genesis he pretended to be a stranger own survival. 41:1-44:17; to them and spoke roughly to It is only when Joseph’s Numbers them ... Joseph recognized his brothers begin to express their 28:9-15; brothers, but they did not rec- love and remorse, their loyalty ognize him.” (42:7-8) and humility, that Joseph is 7:42-47. It is a striking imbalance. able to reveal himself to them; (Shabbat Why did the brothers not rec- and they are able to finally Rosh ognize Joseph? This question recognize him. Chodesh bothered our sages as well. The text can motivate us Chanukah) Talmudic sources suggest that to examine our own relation- the brothers did not recognize ships. If we identify somebody Joseph because he had a beard; and by their outward appearance, or by when they last saw him, he was too their status or power, do we ever young to have one. Commentators really recognize them? What else are have also suggested that it was we missing when we exist in trans- because he was speaking a differ- actional relationships? What is going ent language and wearing Egyptian unnoticed? We may find it surprising clothes. that Joseph’s own brothers do not Our outward appearance, includ- recognize him, but whom are we fail- ing facial hair and clothing, do ing to truly recognize? contribute to identification. The This year at Chanukah, as we verb “to recognize” is l’hakir, which see the faces of family and friends is also used when the brothers have illuminated, let us take the time to sold Joseph into slavery and covered truly see them. And as we do, let us his coat in goat’s blood. They said reflect on our relationships with the to their father Jacob, “‘We found people whom we recognize based on this; do you recognize it? It is your their appearance or power, but not son’s coat!’ He recognized it, say- by their humanity. Their life, or ours, ing, ‘My son’s coat! A wild animal may depend on it. ■ has devoured him! Joseph has been Rabbi Ariana Silverman is the rabbi of the ripped to shreds!’”(37:32-33) Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. She lives In addition to our clothing, we in Detroit with her family. are also identified by our status.