Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

A great leader does not lead because he wants to but because he has to. And after he has accomplished what he set out to do he willingly gives up his office.

When Moses was at the burning bush he was commanded to take his shoes off. One of the reasons was he should feel the rough stones so that when he spoke to the Jews who were enslaved, he should understand their pain.

The Torah relates that when Moses saw the Egyptian task master beating a slave, he looked around and did not see a man. Meaning he saw lots of people but no one who was willing to take a stand. So he did.

The reason that the Tribe of Levi was not enslaved was because Levi was still alive when Pharaoh tricked the Jews into becoming slaves. He told his descendants that he smelled a rat. And he was right.

The lesson of the statement that there arose a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph, or that after all the good that Joseph did for Egypt, when it suited them, the Egyptians forgot about him. We should do the right thing because it is right. Just don’t expect gratitude.

The 10th of Tevet is the anniversary of the Babylonians laying siege to Jerusalem, the beginning of the end of the 1st Temple. The reason for the destruction was the mistreatment of Jews to the fellow Jews.

Simon & Levi come under criticism for their actions in defending their sister Dina. But Jacob understands that they did not commit their deeds our of malice but due to their love of their family.

Before his death, Jacob blesses his sons and gives us insight on the future of the Jewish people. Especially Judah. He notes that the royalty will stem from Judah. We have to remember that Judah’s name infers that we should be humble before God. Especially our leaders.

The portion hints at the love of a parent by pointing out that Jacob only truly lived the 34 years he was with Joseph. 17 before Joseph was sold into slavery and the 17 years Jacob lived in Egypt.

Jacob makes a special effort to bless Joseph’s sons because they were born and raised in the capital of Egypt. Joseph was able to raise them so that they were not influenced by Egyptian culture.