Parshat VaYeishev

Our Parsha this Shabbos just before Chanukah is Parshas VaYeishev where we read about Joseph going down to Egypt and how this leads to Jacob's family going down to Egypt ,where we became slaves and HaShem took us out afterwards with our beloved Moshe.
It is interesting that the Parsha is 'VaYeishev,' - 'Settled' when it is actually about our people leaving our home in Israel and going to a foreign land.This is not 'being settled.' This sounds more like being 'unsettled.'
In Yiddishkeit there is a concept that the date of the start of a tragedy is the date of the tragedy in History where it is felt the worst.We see this in the burning of our Temple which started on the 9th of Av and continued into the 10th of Av.The 9th of Av is the worst point when this terror began and so,it felt the most painful.Afterwards,people tend to get used to heartache after a while hoping that it will not get any worse,yet it is actually as bad as it can be,when our Temple burns.The reality is that pain is pain.This is why HaShem does not want us to be slaves to man and why a man or woman who chooses to continue servitude,when his freedom is due,is not looked up on very highly.This was not to be the case with our ancestors in Egypt,who were to never get used to the slavery but to constantly beg for freedom.People must never sit in a habit of hardship ,but must work toward rising above the problems that to try pull them down,always seeking to climb in Holiness toward HaShem.The same was for our ancestors in Egypt.We were never to mix with the Egyptians or follow their evil ways Chas Ve Shalom but to seek freedom.Never were we to fear being saved, as some of the people felt, when they constantly complained to Moses not rock the boat,in case the oppressors would make the hardship worse.That is when is is already too late. But still,the beginning of a hardship is the worst part .The same goes for positive things too.The start of us as a Jewish people,began when we went down to Egypt for it was there that we truly became a nation-a settled nation of Jews.Note the words 'going down to Egypt,' as it was literally going 'down' to a place of a low spiritual level.At the beginning of us going down to Egypt,the Parsha starts with the word 'VaYeishev' - 'Settled,' for ,as the start of this Parsha hints ,'Vayeishev Ya'akov B'Eretz M'Gurei Aviv B'Eretz K'na'an,' - 'Jacob settled in the land of his Father's sojournings,in the land of Canaan.' It was thus,now,that the spiritual settling into being a nation of the Jewish people began.
The Parsha verse continues, "Eileh Toldot Ya'akov Yoseif ben Sh'va-Esrei Shanah Hayah Ro'eh Et Echaiv Batzon,' - 'These are the chronicles of Jacob:Joseph,at the age of seventeen,was a shepherd with his brothers.'So we see here that this was the chronicle beginning of the forming of a nation,our nation of Israel that would come out of Egypt,back to the Holy Land as Children of HaShem.
Within these words is a very interesting thought.It says that Joseph was a shepherd with his brothers.The word 'Et' also means 'To' so it can also be translated as 'Joseph at the age of seventeen was a shepherd 'to' his brothers.'It would be Joseph who leads them on the path to finally becoming a nation.But more is meant here.Our Rabbis tell us that Joseph would bring reports about the brothers to his Father Yaakov.These reports were never to hurt the brothers but Joseph, who spent more time studying with his Father than the rest of his brothers,took it upon himself to do his best to keep up the spiritual level of his brothers so that we would remain a holy people.This is a sign to us all.Each and every Jew is responsible for their fellow Jew to make sure they work up toward HaShem.We all have this obligation to be a shepherd to our fellow Jew and also our fellow human beings,to teach them the correct and moral way to live.When we can all do this,we will be truly 'Vayeishev,' - 'Settled' for if we help and raise the level of every Jew and person,then HaShem can 'Vayeishev' - 'Settle' within us all and we will each be a home within,where HaShem can 'Settle' and 'Dwell.'
This is what HaShem has wanted all along since the very beginning of Creation.We therefore need to do Hashem's Will and Commandments so that we can finally make this world a place where HaShem can dwell and settle - 'VaYeishev.'
This starts,with each one of us going out from our comfort zones and bringing others,with love,to HaShem's beauty.A holy person is a fragrance to the world around them, where their sweet smell permeates the very air around them and draws them to HaShem.This is what Joseph did.He left his Beloved Father's house and went 'down' to the lowest spiritual place on Earth at the time -Egypt.' And brought HaShem's Holiness within him that all around him noticed,by his moral and holy ways.He did not change and become like the people around him.He was not tainted by it,but remained a faithful shepherd to HaShem and our people.So is the same expected of each one of us.We each have it within us to remain true to HaShem's Will.Never must we let our surroundings make us into something HaShem would never want.To be truly 'Settled,' is to be a Home where HaShem can Dwell and 'Settle.'
This is the right path of the servants of HaShem.This is true freedom.As we approach the miracle of Chanukah and light our Chanukiah let us draw down the very light of Heaven and make a true 'Settled' place where HaShem can Dwell and so,experience true freedom with HaShem within us.HaShem wishes so dearly to shower us with love and light.All we need to do is open ourselves up to HaShem as we did on Chanukah and HaShem will 'VaYeishev,' -'Settle,' within us.
HaShem has always saved us in so many hard times.HaShem is there,waiting to 'Settle' within us.All we need to do is Hspeherd our people,all people and keep HaShem's Commandments.May the time come that all Jews can finally settle safely in our precious Home Eretz Yisrael and may the time come that HaShem can settle within each one of us.
Wth love,I wish HaShem a beautiful Holy Shabbos Kodesh and sweet Chanukah with love and to all,with love,a sweet Holy Shabbos Kodesh and vreiliche Chanukah.