Many people, perhaps including yourself, associate the holidays we celebrate this time of year with family. This year, like previous years, I celebrated Chanukah with candle-lighting and lots of singing, both in person and via video calls. Chanukah, to me, is centered around that family time. Christmas and New Year’s, too, are times we spend with family and/or deeply feel the absence of family. The ability to celebrate with family and friends can make or break the holiday.
In our Torah portion, too, our ancestors experienced the power of being together. We read in Genesis 48:11 “And Israel said to Joseph, ‘I never expected to see you again, and here God has let me see your children as well.’” Israel (Jacob) is on his death bed and reunites with his son Joseph. How grateful he must have felt to not only encounter his son one more time, but also to meet his grandchildren before he dies.
Our time on Earth is limited; may we spend it with those who matter most to us.