Month: December 2024

Miqets (מִקֵּץ = At the end of) and Hanukkah (חֲנוּכָּה = Dedication)
^{Genesis 41:1 – 44:17, Zechariah 2:14-4:7, Numbers 7:1-8:4, and Psalms 113 to 118}

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, earning Pharaoh’s favor. He becomes viceroy, saves Egypt from famine, and reunites with his brothers without revealing his identity. In the haftarah, connected to Hanukkah, the prophet Zechariah describes the vision of a menorah during the inauguration of the Temple.

Zechariah 4:2
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי, מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה; וָאֹמַר רָאִיתִי וְהִנֵּה מְנוֹרַת זָהָב כֻּלָּהּ
He said to me: “What do you see?” I replied: “I see a completely gold lampstand.

The world’s largest Hanukkiah, made of golden steel, stands approximately 11 meters⁽¹⁾ tall. Created in 1987 by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam⁽²⁾, it has become an iconic Hanukkah symbol in Manhattan. This year, its public lighting will take place on December 25th on Fifth Avenue, near Central Park, accompanied by songs and festivities.

⁽¹⁾ According to Jewish law, Hanukkah lights should not be placed higher than 20 cubits (amot) above the ground, which is approximately 11 meters. This restriction ensures that the lights are clearly visible to proclaim the miracle of Hanukkah.
⁽²⁾ Yaacov Agam (born 1928) is an internationally renowned Israeli artist, a pioneer in kinetic and optical art.

Vayeshev (וַיֵּשֶׁב = And he settled)
^{Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 and Amos 2:6-3:8}

Jacob settles in Canaan, where family tensions reach their climax when Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. Taken to Egypt, he becomes Potiphar’s servant. Harassed by Potiphar’s wife and after resisting her advances, he is falsely accused and imprisoned. While in captivity, Joseph reveals his extraordinary gift for interpreting dreams. The parasha also recounts the story of Judah and Tamar, highlighting ^{_{(Genesis 38:29)}} the birth of Perez, an ancestor of King David. In the haftarah, the prophet Amos denounces injustice, betrayal, and abuse of power.

Amos 3:3
הֲיֵלְכוּ שְׁנַיִם, יַחְדָּו, בִּלְתִּי, אִם-נוֹעָדוּ.
Do two men walk together unless they have agreed to meet?

President Santiago Peña reaffirmed, at the Knesset and during the inauguration of the Paraguayan embassy in Jerusalem, his commitment to the fight against the injustice of antisemitism. This position had already been expressed in Asunción, his capital, renowned for its historical buildings, green spaces, and rich cultural diversity.
The city is also home to the Hebrew Union of Paraguay⁽¹⁾. This dynamic Jewish community undertook the restoration of its former building by submitting a proposal in an international competition. The Arquitectura⁽²⁾ team won the contest. The renovation combines modernity and tradition, using concrete and rusted metal on the exterior and wood on the interior. Skylights in the ceiling create a play of shadows and light. The synagogue was inaugurated in May 2019.

⁽¹⁾ Hebraic Union of Paraguay: Founded in 1939, it is one of the main Jewish organizations in Paraguay.
⁽²⁾ Equipo de Arquitectura is a studio based in Asunción, Paraguay, founded by Leonardo Méndez, Horacio Cherniavsky, Viviana Pozzoli, Diego Soto, and Jonathan Sosky. Recognized for its innovative approach, the group favors the use of local and sustainable materials and strives to design harmonious and minimalist spaces. Their work has been internationally acclaimed for its refined aesthetics and respectful integration into the environment.

Vayishla’h (וישלח = and he sent)
^{Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 and Obadiah (Obadiah) 1:1-21 (Sephardic) or Hosea 11:7–12:12 (Ashkenazi)}

The parashah Vayishla’h recounts the episode where Ya’aqov wrestles all night with a mysterious being who names him Israel. Transformed by this experience, he prepares to face his brother Esav after years of separation. The Sephardic haftara⁽¹⁾ highlights the fall of Edom and the final victory of Israel.

Genesis 32:29
וַיֹּאמֶר, לֹא יַעֲקֹב יֵאָמֵר עוֹד שִׁמְךָ–כִּי, אִם-יִשְׂרָאֵל: כִּי-שָׂרִיתָ עִם-אֱלֹהִים וְעִם-אֲנָשִׁים, וַתּוּכָל
He said, “Your name will no longer be Ya’aqov, but Israel, because you have struggled with divine and human beings and have prevailed.”

The synagogue Kahal Kadosh Yashan in Ioannina, built in the 19th century, is a testament to the oldest Jewish community in Greece, the Romaniotes⁽²⁾. Its construction was influenced by Ottoman art, featuring elegant arches and a central dome. In the courtyard, the fountain for the Kohanim’s ablutions, the well for the tashlikh ceremony, and the side door leading to the women’s gallery demonstrate the care taken to preserve traditions. Nearby, the restored mikveh symbolizes spiritual renewal. Just as Ya’aqov, after his struggle at the Yabboq River, renewed his spiritual identity and received new blessings.

⁽¹⁾ For the Ashkenazim, the haftara speaks of God’s love for Israel and the people’s struggle to remain faithful to their divine mission despite trials.
⁽²⁾ The Romaniotes, an ancient native Greek Jewish community, have maintained traditions and practices dating back to the Byzantine Empire. Their liturgy and language (Yevanic, a Judeo-Greek dialect) reflect this long integration into Greek culture while preserving their Jewish identity. With the arrival of the Sephardim after the expulsion from Spain, many Romaniotes adopted Sephardic customs, but they still retain unique characteristics.

Vayetse (ויצא = and he went out)
^{Genesis 28:10 – 32:3 and Hosea 12:13 – 14:10 (Sephardic) and Hosea 11:7 – 12:12 (Ashkenazic)}

Jacob leaves Beer-Sheba for Haran⁽¹⁾. On his way, he dreams of a ladder reaching from heaven to earth. Upon arriving in Haran, he works for Laban and marries his daughters, Leah and Rachel. After many years of labor and increasing prosperity, Jacob leaves Laban with his family and possessions, continuing his mission to build the people of Israel. Hosea recalls Jacob’s story, particularly his flight to Aram⁽²⁾ and his service to obtain his wives. The Haftarah draws a parallel between Jacob’s personal story and the collective destiny of Israel, emphasizing the enduring nature of the divine covenant, even in exile or through trials.

Genesis 29:15
וַיִּשָּׂא יַעֲקֹב, רַגְלָיו; וַיֵּלֶךְ, אַרְצָה בְנֵי-קֶדֶם
Jacob set out and went toward the land of the people of the East.

In the East, far from Israel, the Jews of Cochin have preserved their spiritual heritage. The Paradesi synagogue, built in 1568, stands as a testament to this enduring connection to tradition. The term “Paradesi,” derived from the Sanskrit word परदेशी (meaning “from abroad”), primarily refers to Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch origin who settled in Cochin after the Inquisition. This name was given to distinguish them from the older local Jewish communities, such as the Malabar⁽³⁾ Jews . The synagogue blends architectural influences from both the East and Europe. It features blue and white tiles, blown glass chandeliers, brass candelabras, and ancient Torah scrolls. It was further adorned with a clock tower in 1760. This synagogue is the oldest in active use in India and reflects a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Indians over the centuries.

¹ The city of Harran, located in the southern part of modern-day Turkey near the Syrian border, may correspond to Haran.
² Aram is a region inhabited by the Arameans, located in central present-day Syria. The name may derive from Aram, the fifth son of Shem.
³ The Malabar Jews form an ancient community in the Kerala region, with distinct traditions. Their presence dates back around 3,000 years, to the time of King Solomon or the Kingdom of Judah, when Jews began trading with the peoples of South India and settling along the Malabar coast, now known as Kerala.