Yes, That Coat Would Be Amazing in Technicolor at the Chanukah Party!

We must have learned all we need to about Jacob (save for his participation in the Joseph novella), because Parsha Va-yeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23) is concerned with introducing us to Rachel’s first son, Joseph. This year we welcomed the story of Joseph just as Chanukah was about to begin. Instead of recapping the tales of Joseph, let’s think about the connections to a holiday that’s more meaningful than it seems at first glance.

The title of this post teaches a lesson about the winter holiday of the Jews. The coat of many colors which Jacob gave to Joseph set him apart easily from his brothers. Chanukah is a holiday that asks for us to remember we are set apart. This is done in a variety of ways – by setting the hanukkiah (special nine-branch Chanukah menorah) in the window so the world will see its light, by retelling the story to remind us of our past and its connection to our modern identity, by remembering that our differences with the Greeks brought about the events of Chanukah.

In one of Joseph’s dreams, he sees his family as the lights of the sky. Chanukah is a holiday that centers around light. Throughout the years, this has arguably grown to become the central theme of the holiday. However, it was always present in the need for the Temple and the Jewish people to be a light to the nations. Joseph later brings the light of hope to his family when he gives them food and ensures their settlement in the land of Goshen (check out the connection with the letters on the dreidel) while he is ruling in Egypt.

While the Jews endured persecution at the hands of the Greeks in their own land, Joseph was displaced to a foreign land (Egypt). Both stories remind us about living as foreigners, though. Our physical location does not guarantee secure and comfortable living. Anytime we are subjected to a regime with which we do not agree (foreign or otherwise), we are challenged with how we will respond to our earthly rulers. Joseph was in a unique situation, and was invited to serve as a ruler in a foreign country. The story of Chanukah tells of a military victory against the army of an oppressive foreign king.

The relationship Jacob had with Joseph seems to be special, since he was given a coat and held back from the fields. Mattathias and his sons are key characters in the Chanukah story since they led the guerilla attacks against Antiochus’ army. Judah Maccabee is especially remembered for his role in the revolt. Both Joseph and Judah Maccabee seem to be destined to their leadership roles in the telling of these narratives.

There may be more connections between the stories of Joseph and Chanukah. Please leave any you find in the comments!

I hope that as you celebrate Chanukah this week (and if you’re not, please take some time to learn about it – this event is essential to understanding Jewish and Christian history!) you remember the G!d we serve:

The G!d of Miracles
The G!d of Light
The G!d of Hope
The G!d of Victory
The G!d of Strength

Chappy Chanukah!