1. This Shabbat we will also be celebrating Chanukah, and Rosh Chodesh. So first of all, on the coming Shabbat, before sunset, we will first light the Chanukah candles (six candles) and then the Shabbat candles. And this is not only "Shabbat Chanukah." In addition - on Shabbat and Sunday we will mark Rosh Chodesh Tevet.
2. All this light brings many laws, customs and additions: Hallel in the morning after Shacharit, the addition of "Al HaNissim" (for Chanukah) and "Ya'aleh V'Yavo" (for Rosh Chodesh) to the prayers and Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals), special Torah readings and more.
3. And there's also a Torah portion of course - this week's parsha is Parshat Miketz, the tenth portion in the Book of Genesis. At the end of two years of imprisonment, Yosef leaves prison, interprets Pharaoh's dreams and becomes a senior ruler in Egypt.
4. Later in the parsha - Yosef’s brothers go down to Egypt because of the famine, and then meet Yosef but don't recognize him. Yosef begins to weave a plan to reunite the family. This is not revenge. He thinks about how to test them regarding mutual responsibility and brotherhood to see that they've changed, and to bring about reconciliation. At the climax of the parsha, the brothers regret what they did to him and begin a path of repair and repentance.
5. We'll end with three blessings that connect now: Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov (Good Month) and Happy Chanukah.
