Do they really?

 

Well - in this portion Judah is ABOUT TO strike Joseph - who he thinks is an Egyptian

 

Anyone remember the Moses incident? Another fight - with the Pharaohs … until WE GOT OUT.

 

In today's TALMUD CYCLE COMPLETION celebration 

 

in my Kolel of Retired Geniuses - and policemen and bureaucrats ...

 

One of our teachers at the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem reminded us that

 

Joseph was a King

 

And Judah's descendants were kings (from David on down …)

 

so there were ALWAYS some differences .. over who rules (EVEN CONFLICTS)

 

OIY - and then Chanuka came in - where the priests of the Tribe of Levi took over!

 

They ticked off the Davidic dynasty - BUT EVENTUALLY

 

Because they had wisdom and dedication -

 

 THE TALMUD (MISHNA parts) - 

 

 WAS STARTED UNDER THEIR RULE

 

and was COMPLETED - 300 ears later - By Rabbi Judah the Prince

 

who was descended from DAVID - and a TRUE PRINCE (and genius).

 

So remember the rule -

 

Joseph and Judah and Levi may have their quarrels -

 

but in the end 

 

they ALL BRING HOLY WISDOM TO THE TABLE - for ALL OF US TO LEARN

 

 

 

ShabbatShalom

 

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz