"I dreamed a dream" (Genesis 41:15) Kislev 29, 5786/December 19, 2025 "I dreamed a dream" (Genesis 41:15) Pharaoh tells Yosef. For Pharaoh it was a new and unexpected experience. For Yosef, who had been rushed out of prison, shaved, cleaned up and given new clothes to stand before Pharaoh, it was just one more in a series of dreams that paved that path of his life. Clearly, Yosef inherited his ability to dream from his father Yaakov, who famously dreamed of a ladder extending from the earth to the heavens. But while Yaakov's dream included the appearance of G-d, Himself, Yosef's childhood dreams featured only himself and his immediate family. Nor did the dreams shared with him in prison by Pharaoh's chief baker and beverage steward contain any reference to G-d. Yosef, however, understood that the common denominator of all prophetic dreams is the presence of G-d. Possessing that realization, Yosef was easily able to locate the clues hidden in the dreams and accurately interpret them. The same was true for Pharaoh's dreams: "And Pharaoh said to Yosef, 'I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it. Now I have heard it said of you that for you to hear a dream is to tell its meaning.' Yosef answered Pharaoh, saying, “Not I! G-d will see to Pharaoh’s welfare.'” (ibid 41:15-16) "Not I!" Yosef had the distinct ability to remove himself, the "I," the ego, from the equation. Allowing G-d's presence to flow freely through his consciousness, Yosef was able to interpret the dreams of others. Young Yosef, the dreamer of ascendancy over his brothers and the family tattle tale, seemed to be a rather egocentric, perhaps even narcissistic child. It would seem that the tearing away of his many colored cloak, being placed in a pit devoid of water but teeming with scorpions and snakes, being sold to a traveling caravan of Ishmaelite traders and being sold again into slavery in Egypt, served to burn off the hubris that defined his earlier life. Along this tortured trail he learned that ascendancy would not be achieved by egotistical statements or actions, but by the exact opposite. Emptying his being of ego, of self obsession, would sever the bonds that held him back. In the service of others, first in Potiphar's house, then in prison and finally in the palace of Pharaoh, Yosef was able to rise again and again and ultimately fulfill his childhood dreams. Yosef's selfess and steady rise to the top was abruptly interrupted when his brothers, those that had stripped him and sold him, suddenly appeared before him, driven by famine and in search of sustenance. This was the moment when Yosef's ego, his sense of self, his hurt and his sense of justice all wanted to be heard, all wanted to strike out and settle accounts with the brothers. But Yosef, now more than thirteen years in the service of others, learned to hold back. On so many moments throughout Yosef's encounters with his brothers we are told that be held back, restrained his feelings, and allowed his brothers to talk freely. Unaware that Yosef understood their Hebrew tongue the brothers spoke openly, and the moment Yosef challenged them, their talk was of regret for an ancient misdeed that they had done, for a brother whose cries they had coldly ignored. And just as Yosef had attentively listened to every detail of the dreamers who shared with him their dreams, he likewise took note of every word, every nuance and every heavy sigh that emerged from his brothers. They were, albeit unwittingly, sharing with Yosef a common nightmare that had clouded and overshadowed their days and nights ever since the day that had acted out their envy of and disdain for their younger brother Yosef. Exercising his hard earned ability for self restraint, which was being tested to its limits, Yosef carefully and patiently set before his brothers a path that, frightening and full of uncertainty as it was for them, would ultimately lead to their liberation from their long held feelings of guilt and regret. Once again, placing his own ego aside and allowing G-d's presence to fill him and guide him, Yosef at last realized his childhood dream. With the arrival of Binyamin, his younger brother, Yosef's role as ruler over his brother's was nearing its end. Only the longed for reunion with his father Yaakov remained to be fulfilled. It turned out that Yosef's rule over his brothers was not something brought on by anything that Yosef ever did. It was self imposed by the brothers, whose animosity toward Yosef and the actions they took to express their animosity, brought upon them the overbearing, ever present shadow of Yosef. Their guilt, their regret, the lies they told to their father Yaakov, all ruled over them, affecting every day and every night of their lives. Only when Yosef will reveal himself to them, which only occurs in next week's Torah reading, Vayigash, will the brothers finally be released from the tyranny of guilt and regret that has imprisoned and ruled over them all these years. Only then will the brothers once again, and perhaps for the very first time, be brothers in the truest sense of the word. Yosef is the only figure in the entire Hebrew scripture to earn the title tzadik - righteous one: Yosef hatzadik. It was his self restraint, his ability to work past his ego and empty himself of egocentric thoughts that earned him this title. His ego, his own desires and urges were most sorely tested by the promiscuous advances of Potiphar's wife. But Yosef did succeed in fending off her persistent advances, which, of course, landed him in jail, one more step down on the ladder from free man to slave to convict. But in G-d's plan, in the egoless path that Yosef's life was taking, it was the first step up out of the abyss. From prison to the palace and most importantly, back into the arms of his brothers, Yosef was slowly returning to life, to the life that he so longed for. Could it be that when we sleep and our souls are at rest, and the ever present pull of our egos ebbs away, we become a potential place for HaShem to inhabit and inform? We all have dreams, some we remember and some we don't. Each dream, our sages tell us, contains both elements of dross and elements of revelation. When we awaken we can either forget our dreams and whatever we might have gained or gleaned from them will be lost forever. Or, if we can develop the dreamlike ability to push aside our ego and self long enough to dispassionately dissect and interpret our dreams, we may discover ourselves receiving a message straight from our Creator. What that message is depends upon our interpretation. Yosef's interpretations of the dreams of others were true because he understood them through the filter of self negation, allowing G-d to guide him. We may never achieve the unique abilities that Yosef possessed, but being attentive to our dreams and the Divine spark that so often animates them, can only enhance our lives. |
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| TAKE PART IN THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE'S CHANUKAH RAFFLE - LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!
This Chanukah every donation you make to the Temple Institute of $25 or more your name will be entered into our Chanukah Raffle!
ON DECEMBER 21ST, THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHANUKAH THE RAFFLE WILL CONCLUDE and on December 22nd, the eighth and final day of Chanukah, we will announce the names of our three winners. Each winner will receive a beautiful portrait of the Holy Temple, encased in plexiglass.
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| Tune into this week's Temple Talk as Yitzchak Reuven talks about Yosef's rise to the top & testing his brothers, about Chanukah & the victory of good over evil, and about increasing the light and dispelling the darkness!
Yosef, out of prison and into the palace of Pharaoh, recognizes his brothers, who recognize him not, allowing Yosef to test their virtue. The squeeze he puts on them compels them to come to grips with their past and paves the way toward their shared future, reunited.
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Help To Build The Holy Temple In Our Time! Donate Generously To Help The Sacred Work Of The Temple Institute! Every contribution helps to rebuild the Holy Temple in our Time! |
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| Shabbat Miketz is also Shabbat Chanukah and Shabbat Rosh Chodesh. Rosh Chodesh Tevet is two days, the second day being Sunday. Therefore, the following passages make us this Shabbat's haftarah reading: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7 is read in honor of Chanukah. Isaiah 66:1 and 66:23-24 are read honoring Rosh Chodesh, and Samuel I 20:18 and 20:42 are said in honor of the second day of Rosh Chodesh. Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for, behold! I will come and dwell in your midst, says HaShem. And many nations shall join HaShem on that day, and they shall be My people; and I will dwell in your midst and you shall know that HaShem of Hosts sent me to you. And HaShem shall inherit Yehudah as His share on the Holy Land, and He shall again choose Jerusalem. Silence all flesh from before HaShem, for He is aroused out of His holy habitation..." |
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| Chag Chanukah Sameach - Happy Chanukah! 5th Night-5th Light!
The "al hanisim (for the miracles)" prayer is said three times each day during Chanukah, and additionally as part of the blessing after concluding a meal:
"We thank You [G-d] for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds and saving acts, wrought by You, as well as for the wars which You waged for our ancestors in days of old, at this season..."
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See picture & learn more!
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| According to the Book of the Chashmoneans, 17 the Menorah of gold was taken along with the rest of the vessels when the Greeks came and looted the Holy Temple. Antiochus IV Epiphanes traveled up to Jerusalem after his victory in Egypt, he entered the inner holy area and took the Golden Altar, the Menorah with all its utensils, and the Showbread Table. From this, it is understood what is described in the Talmud that the Temple Menorah of the Chashmonean days was made of iron rods. This is how they lit it in the beginning, and, later on, a Menorah was made of gold. As is stated in the Talmud: "They were made of iron, and they [the Chasmoneans] plated it with nickel [tin]. When they became wealthier, they made one of silver. They [later] became [even] wealthier and made it out of gold." |
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See picture & learn more!
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| The Temple Institute's Terumah 2025 Campaign! "HaShem spoke to Moshe, saying: Tell the children of Israel and let them take for Me a portion; from every man whose heart motivates him you shall take for Me a portion." (Exodus 25:1-2)
"Vayik’chu li terumah - and let them take for Me a portion." The Hebrew word TERUMAH, translated here as PORTION, in modern Hebrew means DONATION and in biblical Hebrew is also used to mean OFFERING. The reason terumah can be understood in so many ways is that it is from the Hebrew root le-harim, meaning to lift up, or raise up. When we give of ourselves we are lifting ourselves up, drawing ourselves closer to HaShem. Terumah is similar to the Hebrew word korban, also meaning offering, which is based on the word le'karev - to draw closer (to HaShem).
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| History Of The Holy Temple Menorah: Tending To The Menorah In The Daily Service
Immediately following the description of the Menorah (Exodus 25:31-37) Torah continues: "And its tongs and its snuffdishes shall be of pure gold." The Torah is referring to the implements used in the daily care of the Menorah. The daily Tamid service included two mitzvot: the cleaning of the Menorah lamps, and the kindling of the lamps.
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| From I Maccabees, chapter 1:1-28: "In those days arose Mattitiyahu the son of Yochanan, the son of Shimon, a kohen of the sons of Yeho'ariv, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modi'in. And he had five sons, Yochanan, called HaKadshi: Shimon; called HaTassi: Yehudah, who was called HaMaccabee: Ele'azar, called HaChavrani: and Yonatan, whose surname was Hopsi. And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Judea and Jerusalem, He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers?" |
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See picture & learn more!
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| Once Maccabees, Always Maccabees!
The heroic soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, like their ancestors, the Maccabean warriors of Chanukah fame, are still fighting to protect and preserve an independent Jewish nation, free to serve its G-d and fulfill its destiny as the children of Israel. Kindling Chanukah lamps on the third night of Chanukah in locations in Samaria and Gaza. Long live the IDF! Long live Israel!
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| History Of The Holy Temple Menorah: Separate Lamps
"And you shall make a menorah of pure gold. The menorah shall be made of hammered work; its base and its stem, its goblets, its knobs, and its flowers shall all be one piece with it. And six branches coming out of its sides: three menorah branches from its one side and three menorah branches from its second side. Three decorated goblets on one branch, a knob and a flower, and three decorated goblets on one branch, a knob and a flower; so for the six branches that come out of the menorah. And on the stem of the menorah shall be four decorated goblets, its knobs and its flowers..." (Exodus 25:31-36)
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| 1,300-Year-Old Menorah Pendant Shows Jews ‘Didn’T Stop’ Visiting Jerusalem The rare find, bearing the menorah symbol on both sides, was uncovered during recent excavations in the Temple Mount area.
A 1,300-year-old lead pendant decorated with a menorah was uncovered during an archaeological excavation beneath the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, north of the City of David, the Israel Antiquities Authority revealed on Monday.
Only one other ancient lead pendant bearing the menorah symbol is known in the world, the government agency added. |
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| 2nd Night Chanukah - Candles Lit At The Grave Of Elazar, Son Of Aharon, Hakohen Last night, the 2nd night of Chanukah, a gathering of Jews kindled a Chanukiah (8 branched Chanukah lamp) at the site of the grave of Elazar, the son of Aharon, brother of Moshe. After Aharon's death, Elazar became the second Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in Israel's history. Elazar's grave is located in the Samarian Arab town of Awarta, a hot bed of Palestinian terror. |
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| The Temple Institute Invites You To Participate In Our Ohr Lemikdash - Light For The Temple - Conference!
This Chanukah - Connect to the Temple!
"Light for the Temple" Conference | Binayeni Ha'uma, Jerusalem
What's on the program?
Fascinating panels, words of encouragement, Torah discourse, and a deep connection to the heart of the Jewish people - the Holy Temple.
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| 7th Century Ce Cast Lead Pendant, Decorated On Both Sides With A Seven-Branched Menorah, Discoered At The Foot Of The Temple Mount How did an ancient pendant made of cast lead, decorated on both sides with a seven-branched menorah, come to Jerusalem at a time when Jewish presence in the city was restricted?
A very rare personal necklace pendant from the 6th - early 7th centuries CE (Late Byzantine period) was recently discovered in a large-scale archaeological excavation in the Davidson Archaeological Park of Jerusalem.
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| IDF Soldiers Light Up The Night On Chanukah!
The soldiers of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), today's Maccabean warriors, wherever they are stationed, are kindling the Chanukah lights, even as they guard over and defend the land and people of Israel.
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| History Of The Holy Temple Menorah: The 11 Menorot Of King Solomon
The Holy Temple that King Solomon built was very similar to the Tabernacle in its basic layout, albeit on a much larger scale. One very significant difference, however, was the fact that King Solomon added an additional ten Menorot, as well as an additional ten Tables of the Showbread, which stood in the Kodesh Sanctuary. Altogether there were eleven Menorot and eleven Tables of the Showbread.
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See picture & learn more!
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| Ancient Jewish Site Damaged By Vandalism To Reopen During Chanukah
The Hamonean Palaces, damaged by graffiti and looting, will open to visitors during the holiday following restoration efforts.
An ancient archaeological site containing Hasmonean-era palace ruins will open to Israeli visitors this weekend, after vandals defaced the location and destroyed artifacts, local officials announced.
Graffiti was sprayed on a 2,000-year-old ritual bath at the Hasmonean Palaces site, and looters crushed a skull believed to belong to a noble from the Hasmonean dynasty, according to the Binyamin Regional Council, which manages the area.
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| Shavua Tov from the Temple Mount! Tonight begins Chanukah - the eight day Festival of Light! This week will see many Jewish worshipers celebrating the miracle of the single cruse of pure olive oil that took place on this Mount, in the Holy Temple liberated by the Maccabean warriors! May we continue to witness many miracles on this holy ground!
Shavua Tov & Chag Chanukah Sameach!שבוע טוב וחג חנוכה שמחשבוע טוב
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| Build a House for HaShem!
"Be strong and have courage! Build a House for HaShem!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, the prophet Samuel charges King David with the task of building the Holy Temple! |
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| The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First! "The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, Zerubavel from the house of David and Kohen Gadol (High Priest) Yehoshua consult with the prophet Haggai who instructs them to waste no time in rebuilding the Holy Temple! |
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| Interested in Ascending the Temple Mount? Contact us via our website, email us at infotempleinstitute@gmail.com or via our Facebook page. Click below for more information on ascending the Temple Mount in purity. |
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Chanukah Sameach & Chodesh Tov from the holy city of Jerusalem!
Yitzchak Reuven
The Temple Institute
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