eWeekly: Dec 24, 2008
TOS eWeekly Volume 3 Issue 13, December 24th, 2008Mikeitz, Genesis 41:1−44:17
The Joseph Story—Part II: Fantasy, Jewish Style
David H. Aaron
Surely the most fanciful aspect of the entire Joseph story is the status achieved by Joseph in the administration of the Egyptian monarchy. Upon interpreting a dream as predictive of a national disaster, Pharaoh ascribes to Joseph the “spirit of God” (Genesis 41:38) and straightaway places him in charge of his people’s administration. Pharaoh tells him, “You shall be in charge of my household, and all my people shall obey your word; only I, The Throne, shall I be greater than you” (41:40).
If we relate to this literature as history, we will apply the wrong genre criteria in evaluating its meaning. There is no evidence of there ever having been an Israelite who governed over Egypt. Attempts to link Joseph with historical personages or to sketchy references in ancient annals to short-lived foreign rulers all fail. This is not history. We have here a Cinderella-like fairy tale, where the despised brother not only ends up making good, but of all things, ascends to the most powerful political position in a foreign land, barely a notch below the authority of the monarch himself.
Moreover, what gets him there is the interpretation of dreams, a symbolic activity meant to represent a form of divinely sanctioned wisdom—but here, wisdom put to work in exile and quite distinct from other forms of sign reading that are associated with priests, prophets, and temples.
I think it fair to say that kings do not regularly promote men who are prisoners on Monday to secretary of state on Tuesday (although recent events in American politics may force us to rethink such things). In real life, we should imagine that a king’s loyal advisors would be less than pleased about being bypassed for this prized position, not to mention subordinated to a former Hebrew slave of unknown origins. One is expected to suspend all calls for plausibility in fairy tales, because the rules of this literary genre demand as much. Were we to seek historical feasibility, we would be ignoring all of those literary signals that instruct us on how to read and understand this story. This is fantasy, pure and simple, but fantasy with deep meanings.
The Book of Genesis is ostensibly about the creation of a clan that has a privileged status vis-à-vis a patron deity. That status is to be expressed through three rewards: possession of a land, the production of progeny, and the accumulation of wealth. Strangely enough, Genesis never raises the question of governance, either in terms of a monarchy or a priestly oligarchy. How odd that a people, in writing of its origins, fails to mention the ascendancy of its king, or even outline the structure of its governing bodies. Of course, later in Israel’s history there will be chronicles of various kings and stories of clan leaders, but these are written subsequent to or independent of the Book of Genesis. The Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles are later attempts at more normative annals, bringing Israelite narratives somewhat more in line (thematically and structurally) with those of foreign peoples.
(for the complete text on this weeks portion, go to http://urj.org/torah/ )
STATEMENTS
Statements go out every month if you have a balance. If you have not been getting statements, please contact Elliot at the temple so he can look into the problem. We will send out calendar tax statements for the capital campaign and temple the second week of January.
SPECIAL BOARD ELECTION
This week, Temple members in “good standing” will receive in the mail a packet with ballots to fill a seat on the Board of Directors for At-Large Director. “Good standing” is determined by fulfillment of financial obligations for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008, and an effort to meet obligations for fiscal 2009. Any financial questions should be addressed to the Treasurer, Martin Greenberg, or to the President, Ralph Karsh.
The election packet is dated December 24 and the deadline for returning marked ballots by mail is January 7, 2009. Two other seats on the Board were uncontested based on nominations that closed on December 5 and those two nominees as selected by the Board were seated at the December 15 Board meeting. The new Board members are as follows:
Vice President-Social Action:
-Chip Dougherty: TOS member since 1988. Resides in Shaler. A partner at the law firm of Reed Smith LLP with an active counseling and litigation practice in the field of Intellectual Property. Has previously served TOS as both member and chair of the Social Action Committee in years past, and was part of the team that initiated the High Holiday food drive in the early 1990s.
Corresponding Secretary:
-Ken Knapp: TOS member since 1993. Resides in Pine. A relationship manager for BNYMellon. Board member since 1998 of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Previously, township supervisor in Pine for six years, involved in many committees. Former board member of the following organizations; Allegheny County Library Board, Greater Pittsburgh Downtown YMCA, Pittsburgh Marathon.
Congratulations to Chip and Ken!
Meditation & Torah Study
On Saturday, January 10th, Tifani Katof will lead a Yoga Meditation Service from 10:00-11, and a Torah Service and Study from 11:00-11:40AM. Have fun and study in the same service! No double reverse lotus positions will be required!
INTERFAITH COMMUNITY MEETING
Once again, Temple Ohav Shalom will be hosting this event Sunday, March 22, 2009. More details will beprovided as the date approaches!
MEMBERSHIP
Everyone is invited to TOS Community Night on Saturday, January 24th. So even if you do not have a business to pitch, come and schmooze and learn about all the other congregants’ businesses. If you have a business, come and tell us about it in 45 seconds or less. RSVP to Matt Lifson at 724-940-1080 or to me at 724-449-2779. We have some really cool door prizes. Come, you’ll have a good time and you will be doing a good thing for the TOS Community.
Thanks,
Laura Flieder
SUPERBOWL FUNDRAISER
The Annual TOS Super Bowl Fundraiser is on! Tickets are $10 and $20 each. Half the proceeds of the fundraiser goes to the Temple and the other half is paid out. Members will receive a phone call about purchasing tickets. If you are not contacted or have any questions about the Super Bowl Fundraiser, please contact Brian Kline (412) 487-4927.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN HEBREW?
Would you like to learn Modern Hebrew, Prayer Book Hebrew or both?
Come learn to read Hebrew in a convenient, easy, fun way – while your children are learning! Or even if you don’t have children in Sunday school!
Sundays – 8:45 to 9:30
Beginning January 4th, 2009
Cost: $36 for 6 weeks:
Jan. 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th
Feb. 1st & 8th
RSVP to at 412-369-0900 x14
Genocide Awareness Shabbat
As members of the human race and the Jewish community we must stand up and speak when innocent people are being murdered. Within the past century, genocide has occurred for different reasons in different areas, but we have yet to learn from this history, for it continues to repeat itself. Join us on January 30, 2009 at 7:30 PM as we discuss past genocides and pray that the current genocide in Darfur region of the Sudan will be the last. For more information please contact . I am launching a postcard drive. All you must do is complete a postcard that will be sent to Washington D.C. in time for the inauguration to urge the Obama administration to take humanitarian action in Darfur. They are located in the education wing. Please fill out a postcard when you find a spare second. Postage will be taken care of. Thanks.
ONEGS
Are you looking for something special to do on Friday January 23rd or 30th? How about host a TOS Oneg that evening? Please contact by email or by phone at (724) 933-3923.
Men’s Club Mailing List PROBLEM FIXED!
Please consider signing up!
Several weeks ago in the eWeekly we advertised our new mailing list for the Temple Men’s Club, asking interested members to sign up. Due to an unforeseen technical glitch most of the registrations did not get processed. We’ve fixed the problem, so it’s time to try again. If you are interested in receiving email from the organizers of the Temple Men’s Club, please consider becoming a part of the mailing list.
To sign up, go to the Temple Website at http://www.templeohavshalom.org, and login (you must be logged in for this to work). Click on “Get Involved”, then on “Adult Organizations. Under the Men’s Club you will see a link to join the list.
Be aware that once you register you will receive a confirming email with a link in it. This email may end up in your spam filter, so check there if you don’t see it a minute or two after signing up.
Thanks very much!
GIANT EAGLE GIFT CARDS
One way to help TOS without spending extra money is to buy GIANT EAGLE cards from us. We can mail them at the first of the month to you (we have the numbers recorded so don’t worry about them getting lost in the mail!). We send them out in the first couple of days of the month. All we ask is that you pay for them upon receipt. If you are interested, email Elliot at and we will place you on a monthly schedule. Kathy Kline is coordinating this. You have to eat and if you shop at Giant Eagle or buy gas at GetGo, it is a simple way to support your temple! You can use your Advantage Cards too.
GIFT SHOP
The Gift Shop is open during Sunday School and by appointment. Contact Elaine Cohen - 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864. We have many beautiful items for all aspects of Jewish life. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill - visit us first!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, December 26th 7:30 PM Shabbat Services
Saturday, December 27th 10:00AM Services
2009
Saturday, January 3rd 10:00AM Services
Friday, January 9th First Friday Dinner 4th grade
Saturday, January 10th 10:00-11:00 AM—Yoga & Meditation
11-11:40AM is Torah Service & Study
Thursday, January 15th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Friday, January 16th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Saturday, January 24th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Saturday, January 24th TOS Community Night
Sunday, January 25th 1:00-4:00PM Mah Jongg
Friday, February 20th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, led by Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Open Discussion about new siddur in Social Hall following Service
Thursday, March 5th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Sunday, March 22nd Interfaith Community Meeting Temple Ohav Shalom-Details Coming!
Saturday, April 18th NIGHT AT THE RACES! TOS Social Hall
Saturday, April 25th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat
Schedule of Worship Services for December
Parashat Miketz
Friday, December 26 --- 29 Kislev, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Marshal Auron
Saturday, December 27 --- 30 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bill Lowenberger
