The Hard Work that Makes for Miracles
Yesterday, hearing the news that Alan Gross was released from a Cuban prison and was enroute to the United States, I began to image how he must have felt at that moment. How accustomed he had become to prison life and its monotony. The difficult process of managing hope in an impossible situation and suddenly, with little or no warning to find himself on a plane with his wife and a number of American leaders must have been stunning. How must it have felt to learn that the Pope was instrumental in your release? As one of Alan Gross’ relatives said in an interview: “it is our Hanukkah miracle.”It is noteworthy that our Torah reading this week features Joseph’s release from prison, and is always read on Shabbat Hanukkah. The Torah portion is called Mikketz based on the opening words of the reading. “Vayehi Miketz Shinatayim” : “At the end of two years’ time”. The Rabbis consider the word usage and come to the conclusion that the change in Joseph’s circumstances would be comparable to a light coming at the end of a period of darkness. One day Joseph was in an Egyptian prison lost to his family without the possibility of freedom and the next day he finds himself standing before the throne of Pharaoh and soon thereafter becoming the Grand Vizier of Egypt. It must have felt like a miracle. Surely, this was Joseph’s conclusion as well. He understood himself as a representative of God’s message when he told Pharaoh: “Not I! God will see to Pharaoh’s welfare.” The fact is that Joseph had already laid the foundation for his own salvation in the manner in which he interpreted the dreams of the Butler and the Cupbearer.
When the Macabees stood on the Temple Mount and rededicated the Beit Hamikdash they too understood the miracle of their victory. They had defeated an army far greater in number and in power. However, the victory would not have been possible without the faith and courage of a father and a band of brothers who inspired an entire nation to revolt against the Assyrian overlords. Like Joseph, the Hanukah miracle had God’s blessing would not have been possible without the hard work and sacrifice of courageous human beings.
Alan Gross was released from prison and the light in the darkness may have felt like it came suddenly but his return to America was the result of the hard work of his family, our government, and the Vatican. What we perceive as miracles are often the result of the best of humanity. Miracles are the result of human faith, courage and ultimately the blessing of God. May Alan Gross’ release mark a new beginning in relations with Cuba and a period of light for the people of this region.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Michael Siegel
