December 27, 2019 “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh’.”   Mikeitz 41:44

The miracle of Chanukah devolved through generations of Hasmonean rule into a corrupt plutocracy until, finally, Herod, a dissolute and narcissistic tyrant placed his sycophants even in the Holy Temple. These elites then bowed to a succession of Roman governors leading, ultimately, to a popular revolt and, sadly, to the destruction of Jerusalem. Today, the disparity in wealth between the few and the many has again reached historical proportions and the vanity of today’s ruling elites bears some dark resemblance to Herodian history, even down to our dissolute and narcissistic current President. At this time of giving, however, let’s remember the 90% – the workers, the teachers, the single mothers, the neglected poor, the students, those trapped in crime-infested neighborhoods and the working poor. The effect of our influential Jewish community, acting with less cynicism and, instead, with compassion for those who toil for our benefit will be miraculous. Happy Chanukah!