The name of the Parshah, "Miketz," means "At the end. “

Yosef’s imprisonment finally ends when Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows that are swallowed up by seven lean cows, and of seven fat ears of grain swallowed by seven lean ears. Yosef interprets the dreams to mean that seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of hunger, and advises Pharaoh to store grain.  Pharaoh appoints him governor of Egypt. He has two sons, Menashe and Ephraim.

Famine spreads throughout the region, and food can be obtained only in Egypt. Ten of Yosef’s brothers come to Egypt to purchase grain. Yosef recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him; he accuses them of being spies, insists that they bring the youngest, Binyamin to prove that they are who they say they are, and imprisons Shimon as a hostage.

Yosef receives them kindly, releases Shimon, and invites them to an eventful dinner at his home. But then he plants his silver goblet in Binyamin’s sack. When the brothers set out for home the next morning, they are pursued, searched, and arrested when the goblet is discovered.

On Sunday we begin the new Hebrew month of Tevet. This month shares a root word with “Tov” meaning good. The Zodiac sign for this month is a goat. Tevet has a mixture of happy days (such as part of Chanukah and Hey Tevet, and sad days such as the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem on 10 Tevet).

The fifth Day of the month of Tevet is celebrated in communities all over as a day dedicated to Jewish books. In 1987, holy books were being stolen from the Chabad library. These books belonged to the Shneurson family and were being taken by family members who fought their ownership. They were being sold for very high prices. On 5 teves, a judge ruled that these books belonged to the Chabad chassidim. As the Rebbetzin said “the books belong to the Chassidim because my husband (the Rebbe) belongs to the Chassidim” We celebrate by purchasing, restoring, and studying books from all across the spectrum of Jewish scholarship.

From the beginning of time, Jews have waited and prayed for Moshiach and many holy tzaddikim in hopes the Geulah would come in their generation. What is special about our generation that the Geulah will come in our times? In our generation, Jews live all around the world and through emissaries of Judaism, sparks of holiness are being uncovered everywhere. Since the holiness hidden through the entire world is being revealed in our generation in an unpredicted way, our generation is destined to be the generation of Geulah. 

Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov was teaching his disciples when they were disturbed by a knock on the shutter. A peasant, hauling a cart of tools, peered through the window. "Need any fixing?" he cried. "Any shaky tables, broken chairs? A loose brick in the hearth, perhaps?"

"No, no," came the impatient reply from within, where all were eager to get on with the interrupted lesson. "Everything is in perfect condition. There's no need for any repairs."

"Indeed? Nothing to repair?" called the peasant. "That simply cannot be. Look well, and you're sure to find something that needs fixing!"

The Baal Shem Tov then addressed his students: "Many times have I taught you that nothing is by chance in G‑d's world; that every event and experience is purposeful, that everything one sees or hears is a lesson for one's service of the Almighty. Think of the words we just heard from this simple peasant. How profoundly relevant they are to each and every one of us! Is everything really in perfect condition? At times it might seem so; but if one truly searches his heart and evaluates his life, is he not sure to find something that requires repair.