Miller's Musings Parshas Mikeitz/Chanuka: Instantaneous Light

 

Miller’s Musings Parshas Mikeitz 

Yosef’s salvation from incarceration is treated as a matter of tremendous urgency by the attendants of Pharaoh.  The Posuk refers to the process as one in which “they rushed him from the dungeon”, and as usual our role is to understand the hidden depth behind the occurrence, in this case the speedy nature of his rescue.   

A vital lesson is brought out from this by Reb Yerucham Leibovitz zt’l, who quotes the Seforno as saying that this was exactly like the manner of all of Hashem’s deliverances, that all occur in a very brief moment.  He further explains, that this is in contradistinction to that effected by man which requires a process or some procedure that needs to be undergone before any result is felt and there is the possibility at any time of something to block it.  Hashem needs no such preparation or system to bring about a change of any magnitude, therefore His salvation comes in the blink of an eye, and there is never a possibility of an impediment. 

The analogy for Golus referred to throughout Chazal is that of darkness.  It is a time where everything, and most importantly often the presence of Hashem, is incredibly unclear.  There is so much pain and hurt that we find it hard to see how this world can be a manifestation of G-d’s will.  But the incredible thing about darkness is that it can be dispelled in an instant with the coming of even the smallest light.  Total blackness, where absolutely nothing can be recognised, can be transformed into a situation of complete clarity almost instantaneously.  The world as it is, is fraught with challenges and dangers, with so many determined to destroy instead of create.  It is easy to think that there is no way out for mankind so driven by power and greed.  But this is one of the messages of the Menora, a small light in the seemingly infinite darkness, that reminds us that no matter how dark the times have become, in an instant, with the light of Hashem and the redemption that only He can bring, all suffering can end and all truth will be revealed.     

May the lights of Shabbos and Chanuka spread throughout the entire world.

 

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