Miketz 5771

In this week's parsha, Pharaoh appoints Yosef (Joseph) a ruler of Egypt and gives him an Egyptian name that Yosef never uses. Yosef marries and has two sons. He gives them Hebrew names: Menashe and Ephraim. The name Menashe derives from the Hebrew verb that means "to forget." When Yosef names Menashe he says, "G-d has caused me to forget all my hardships and all that was in my father's house." The name Ephraim derives from the Hebrew word that means "fruitful." Yosef explains, "G-d has made me fruitful in the land of my subjugation."

Why does Yosef insist on giving his sons Hebrew names, and why does he reject the Egyptian name he is given?

In modern times, it is customary to name one's children after loved ones. A baby called Yosef may be named for his Grandpa Joe and for his Biblical ancestor Yosef, both of whom his parents wish for the child to remember and to emulate. Modern-day Yosef grows up with a constant reminder of where he comes from, and what his parents expect from him. With his name, he inherits a sense of history as well as the obligations that stem from that history.

Before he ends up in Egypt, the Biblical Yosef learns Torah at his father Yakov's (Jacob's) house. Yosef is a gifted scholar and Yakov teaches him the entire Torah. This prepares Yosef well for his life in Egypt, where despite many hardships he maintains his faith in G-d and is able to resist many temptations. It also prepares him to teach his sons Torah, and to raise them as Jews in a country where there are no other Jews.

We learn from Menashe's name that Yosef is pained to find himself in a place that makes him forget his father's house, and he longs to return home. We learn from Ephraim's name that Yosef is thankful that G-d has enabled him to succeed – to maintain his values and Jewish identity – even though he is far from his family and fellow Jews.

Today, most of us live like Yosef and his sons, far from our Jewish homeland, surrounded by people who do not share our heritage. It is challenging to raise children as Jews in such an environment. It is tempting to forget who we are; it is all too easy to assimilate and to blend in with our non-Jewish neighbors.

It is no coincidence that we always read this parsha during Chanukah. During the eight days of Chanukah, we remember a post-Biblical time in our history when our ancestors live among the Greeks. In order to keep the right to perform Jewish rituals and observe the Sabbath, a small group of Jews called the Maccabees fight victoriously against the large and powerful army of King Antiochus.

As parents, how can we ensure that our children retain a strong and positive Jewish identity? How can we equip them to be Maccabees in a world that seeks to separate us from our rightful heritage?

The word Chanukah shares its root with the Hebrew word chinuch, which means "education" or "upbringing." The word Chanukah means "dedication." When the Maccabees find that the Greeks desecrated their Temple, they cleanse it and re-dedicate it. This Chanukah, let us rededicate ourselves to the chinuch of our children. This Chanukah, let us give our children the gift of a Jewish upbringing and education.