Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

''….He them had him dressed in garment of fine linen….He also had him ride his second royal chariot…'' (41, 42-43)

Yosef, Chanukah and Purim

The miracles of Chanukah and Purim were wrapped with natural circumstances.

Clarification for the so called natural miracles is alluded to in this Parashat Miketz.

''Shvilei Pinchas'' brings out 3 questions and interprets the answer in a very sweet manner.

It is said that Yakov gave Yosef a stripped tunic that the Midrash says were valued in 2 Slayeem, a monetary currency, more than the other brothers had received and were expressed in extra fabric that represent 2 additional measures, namely, Mitzvoth from the Oral Torah known as Purim and Chanukah.

We know that the sages of the Oral Torah are called in the Holy Zohar ''Chaluka Derabanan'' which means a Rabbinical Robe which represent wisdom and good deeds to hint that the size, quality and type of spiritual ''fabric'' of the robe that one wears is an indication to the clarification of faith, Torah, Mitzvoth and Divine wisdom which one posses.

Therefore, one wonders why would Yakov have revealed both the Purim and Chanukah events only to Yosef? And why would Yosef throw a feast as preparation for Purim and Chanukah in Egypt of all places and why did Hashem cause these 2 occasions of Purim and Chanukah to be revealed in the Oral Torah Rather than in the Written Torah?

The Kedushat Levi notes that our sages enacted the reciting of ''Al Hnessim'' -'' And for all the miracles, and for all the salvation, and for the mighty deeds, and for the victories…'' - only on Purim and Chanukah but not on Passover, or the10 plagues, or the parting of the sea that were also grand deeds and miracles of monumental quality.

His explanation is that the miracles of the plagues and the parting of the sea were in fact a substantive transformation in the course of nature itself.

The very structure and being of the foundation of the creation were altered by Hashem both in substance and essence so that the water turned to blood and daylight became darkness and so on.

However, the Miracles of Purim and Chanukah were disguised within natural course events and circumstances, and one could recount the natural stages that transpired and led to the rescue of the Jews from Haman in Purim. One can attribute the outcome to natural causes and facts such as that Achashverosh fell deeply in love with Ester head over heels and that was the core reason for revoking his decree at those days.

And the victory of the Chashmonaim in battle against the Greeks for which we recount Chanukah could be mistakenly interpreted as a natural military victory.

Hashem gave us both the written and the Oral Torah but the source, of course, is the written Torah.

As it is said that Hashem looked at the Torah and created the world, however Hashem created the world with 2 types of Providence one of which is supernatural and the other within the course of natural causes and effects.

Therefore, the written Torah was given by Hashem himself and not related to the involvement of the sages but the Oral Torah is being revealed constantly, by diligent studies that were exposed by our sages and over time through the process of rigorous learning and analysis that is being performed on a regular basis by every generation.

Hashem wants us to be mindful that although his Providence is concealed and indirect and it is hidden in natural causes, nevertheless this Providence is the core and the source of all that surrounds us.

As a result of the fact this, both the miracle of Purim and Chanukah were clothed with natural events and circumstances as opposed to supernatural events, which is the reason that both occasions were revealed to the world through the Oral Torah.

Yakov new that the very purpose of the sale of Yosef was for the Israeli nation to sanctify themselves in Egypt in order to pave the way for them to become worthy for all the supernatural miracles and wonders that Hashem will perform for them in the process of the exodus.

However, we know very well that we are obligated to build, deepen and sustain our faith in Hashem also within the natural course of events, and amongst the brothers, the one who experienced the most turbulent and dire events was Yosef, and through it all he never lost sight of the fact that all which he encountered was being master minded and caused by Hashem to the last detail - and therefore he was the most suitable man for revealing the processes onward.

Yosef, who was clear about his duty and mission, prepared and sanctified himself in Egypt and was able to assemble all his brothers including Benjamin to participate in the Purim and Chanukah feasts that would lay the grounds for the supernatural miracles that would lead the nation from Egypt and prepare them for being aware of the miracles within the nature course of events -which is the main issue for us to harness.

SHABBAT SHALOM!!