Genesis

בייה

Genesis 41

Precise / Exact times in Ha Torah

Friends, habitual appointment abusers are individuals that do not respect or keep a pre-arranged time to meet at a specific place. Chronic appointment abusers use phrases like, ‘Sorry, I am late.’ – ‘I overslept.’ – ‘My alarm.’ Who likes sitting, waiting, and pacing for a pathological appointment abuser to arrive? Please think of the potential arrogance, hubris, rudeness, disrespect, and impertinence of tardiness. Is that the message we want to deliver? These hurtful, damaging messages can be avoided by humble timeliness. We can end some unnecessary negativity and frustration by changing our behavior. Is poor punctuality a sin? Is taking someone’s time stealing?

Does anyone appreciate uninvited phone solicitations? Solicitors are typically a time intrusion. Time is valuable. They take what is NOT theirs. Each of us has a limited amount of time, so guarding against intrusion and staying focused is wise. Our chapter-by-chapter discussion of (Genesis) opens with Words from (Genesis 41.1), ‘And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed.’ God visited Pharaoh in a unique dream. Our sages teach that the above Scripture is in reference to (Genesis 40.14) Where Joseph committed a severe offense that required him to be punished.

Our sages teach that Joseph served ten years for speaking evil about his ten brothers. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 1736 – Bereisheit Rabba 89.2 – Joseph maligned ten tribes of Israel to his father. Joseph did not lie. He was truthful. Yet even though he was truthful, his words were harmful, hostile, and injurious. He was punished for these sins. Earlier in (Genesis 37), I explained how Jacob’s Shepherd’s staff was passed to Joseph. (Genesis 37.3) says, ‘Israel loved Joseph more than all his children.’ It was evident to Joseph’s ten older brothers that their father had selected him to lead the family when he died as the firstborn of the beloved Rachel. The fine wool long-sleeved embroidered tunic of many colors that Joseph wore annunciated his wisdom, leadership, and designation as heir to Israel. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold for 20 pieces of silver.

We must be cautious NOT to trust in the arm of flesh. It is NOT GOOD for anyone to openly malign the Scribes, i.e., the Holy men who dedicate themselves to writing the Hebrew Scriptures or the Pharisees who oversee Torah Instruction and sit as Judges on the High Court in Jerusalem. Holy men like Micah, Mordecai, Zachariah, and Malachi were previous Pharisees of the High Court in Jerusalem so speaking unfavorably about them in public is a sin. Maligning them is an act of striking against God.

God is never late! God is always on time. So when our timing does not align with God or Ha Torah, we are the ones with the problem. That is Unfortunate! It is more challenging when politicians, government officials, and religious leaders interfere with what God has given us. Through the centuries, powerful men have altered our Holy Scriptures in several ways. We know that the Hebrew Scriptures do not begin at midnight. We know that the names of the Hebrew days and months were not originally pagan. Numbering Verses and Chapters was not part of the original Hebrew text. Why is the numbering system they placed in Ha Tanakh different from the numbering system in their Bibles? Why did they do that? (Genesis 41.1) is speaking about the exact length of Joseph’s punishment. That is why I ask, What do two full years mean? Everyone is not on the same page when it comes to calendars. That depends on the calendar one uses. Why should we use a calendar that is entirely foreign to Ha Torah? Should we use a lunar calendar which could be as few as 709 days, or a solar calendar which could be as many as 731 days?

There are many lenses that one must consider to be accurate and truthful. Being aware of the historical setting is essential.

Some teach that confusion is not from God. Who muddied the waters makes it more challenging to understand the truth? Who changed the original Numbering system of The Holy Scriptures? Who did this? Who messed with The Holy Scriptures God Gave Moses, Joshua, and the 70 Elders? At this writing, we are in year 5782 FC From Creation, not 2022 AD. Who is behind all that confusion? Politicians, government officials, and religious leaders are mudding the waters when they interfere with Jewish writings. They develop layer upon layer that one has to study and research through to determine for their-self the TRUTH. For the most part, people will not dedicate the time or resources to diligent, assiduous research. That is why Enoch, Noach, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph stand out. They lived on a higher level of righteousness. Still, they were human. They slipped up from time to time.

Even though we strive for greater heights of righteousness in a minute of weakness, perhaps discouragement or desperation knocks us off course. Instead of trusting God, we take a wrong turn. We may place trust in man. Joseph placed faith in Pharaoh’s cupbearer to intercede for him before Pharaoh to gain his freedom. See (Genesis 40.14 – 15). It is from that point that Holy Scripture refers to (Genesis 41.1) at the end of two full years.’ Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson. Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 1734 – 1736. Forcing a circle into a triangle does not work well.

Friends, we do not need to live in confusion or fear in the world God Created. We need to get back to our roots. We are the children of Adam and Chavah, Noach and Naamah. The People of Israel are descendants of Jacob. These are our roots. Yes, more effort is required to be accurate. It is frustrating to know that these deceptions exist. They appointed the Ninth of Av as a day to remember all the evil done to us and other people in our world. Aish.com published this list of these Tragic Calamities.

Over the last 3,500 years, many of the most horrific events in Jewish history occurred on the ninth of Av. Rabbi Kalman Packouz, of blessed memory, compiled the following list to recount some of the many tragedies of this day:

1. The spies slandered the Land of Israel with the subsequent decree to wander the desert for 40 years.

2. The First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Nevuchadnetzar, King of Babylon, in 423 BCE.

3. The Second Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE.

4. The fall of Betar and the end of the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans was 65 years later, 135 CE.

5. Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade, where tens of thousands of Jews were killed and many Jewish communities obliterated.

6. The Jews of England were expelled in 1290.

7. The Jews of Spain were expelled in 1492.

8. World War I broke out on Tisha B’Av in 1914 when Russia declared war on Germany. German resentment of the Treaty of Versailles set the stage for World War II and the Holocaust. In fact, many believe it was merely the continuation of World War I. Thus, the Holocaust also has its roots in Tisha B’Av.

9. On Tisha B’Av, the deportation of Jews began from the Warsaw Ghetto.

We have an appointment on August 6th at sundown. Tisha B’Av begins. We do not observe the Ninth of Av on the Sabbath, a day of rejoicing and happiness. We know that our world is in sinful ruin and devastation. Now is the time to prepare for the inevitable! The ninth of Av is upon us. Evil lurks just about everywhere. Where can one run? Where can one hide? Is there a resting place for us? YES, THERE IS! 

(Psalms 68.20 [or is it Psalms 6819?] ) encourages us, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah’

(Psalms 79.9) says, ‘Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and save us, and forgive our sins, for Your name’s sake.’

After The People were delivered from Pharaoh’s army, we sang. (Exodus 14.30 – 15.2) says. Thus the Lord Saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw the great work the Lord did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared the Lord and believed the Lord and his servant Moses.

Then, Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord and said, ” I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation; he is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’

Good Sabbath!

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk, ‘George’

Author

Jewishpath.org