blogs/rabbi-huberman

There is enough food in this world to feed everyone, if we would just learn to manage it better.

That’s one of the significant messages that radiates from Torah, as we conclude the holiday of Chanukah, and review this week’s Torah portion, Miketz.

It is shocking when we realize how much food is wasted around the world, particularly in North America.

In wealthy countries, especially the United States and Canada, up to 40 percent of food is thrown out by consumers. In the United States alone, that amounts to more than $160 billion annually.

In developing countries, about 40 per cent of produce rots in the fields or never makes it to market due to insufficient transportation or refrigeration.

What does this have to do with Judaism? Plenty.

In this week’s Torah portion, Joseph is released from prison to interpret two of Pharaoh’s dreams.

In his slumber, Pharaoh sees seven sturdy cows grazing in the grass. Seven scrawny cows approach and consume the healthy ones.

Pharaoh wakes up puzzled.

He returns to sleep, and dreams of seven ears of grain being consumed by seven scorched and gaunt ears. Joseph is summoned, listens to Pharaoh’s accounts, and offers this interpretation:

“Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same…” Joseph concludes.

“Immediately ahead are seven years of great abundance in the land of Egypt. After them will come seven years of famine, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten.” (Genesis 41: 25, 29-30).

As Joseph’s imagination goes to work, he suggests to Pharaoh that steps be taken so that no food is wasted during Egypt’s years of plenty. This will sustain the nation during subsequent years of famine.

And so, Joseph initiates a program of conservation.

Indeed, over the subsequent 14 years of feast and famine, few, if any, perished of starvation. There was even enough, under Joseph’s supervision, to feed those from other countries, including Jacob, his sons and their families.

As we peel back the layers of this story, we witness, perhaps, a message from God through the vision of Joseph: There is enough food for everyone, if we just learn to manage it better.

Chanukah can also be understood as a festival of conservation. Didn’t one cruse of oil miraculously last for eight days?

Judaism believes that there are few purely divine miracles. Rather, we meet God halfway. After the Exodus, the tribal leader, Nachshon, stepped into the Sea of Reeds, Moses raised his staff, and the seas parted. It began with action.

In the Chanukah story, after defeating the forces of Greek assimilation, the Maccabees lit one candle, saying, “We’ll act, and maybe God will magnify.” And so it was.

I think about that message each year during Chanukah: If we refrain from wasting electricity, waste less food, protect our natural resources — is there a chance we can save the planet? Is there a chance that God will give us more light?

Can we save any of the more than 9 million persons who die each year of starvation? Most of them are children.  

This message has never been as poignant as during the pandemic. You’ve seen the traffic jams of thousands waiting hours to receive food from local pantries.

According to a November 25 Washington Post article, one in eight Americans is currently experiencing “food insecurity.” That number climbs to more than one in six in households with children.

People like you have stepped up, providing food cards and donations to help those in need. But the problem is more than local. Isn’t it time for a global strategy?

The Torah tells us that there will always be rich and poor among us, but it also has no tolerance for extreme hunger, poverty or homelessness.

That is why this week’s Torah portion is so significant. It reminds us of the lesson Joseph taught Pharaoh almost 4,000 years ago: There is enough food, if we manage it properly.  

Chanukah also reminds that when we put a little light into the world, God will magnify that effort. But, it begins with us.

We will emerge from the pandemic wiser and more grateful than before. And, while we can’t solve all of the world’s problems, we can repair our corner of it. It begins with one candle.

We need to share more, throw away less, and enhance the protection of our environment — for we never know when years of plenty will be countered by years of famine. For in the the words of Joseph, our "abundance" can be quickly forgotten.

We thank God for the blessings of this sacred planet, but as Torah commands, we need to tend to it with care.

Joseph began that conversation 4,000 years ago. The festival of Chanukah underscores the conservation message.

Pharaoh had the courage to listen. Let us encourage our leaders to do the same.

Joseph’s message is linked to one of Judaism's most precious principles — Pikuach Nefesh — saving a life. Each of us can be a Joseph. And, as the pandemic has taught, each of us can do more with less.

And, in the process, we can preserve and protect human life. For in the words of the Talmud, "the person who saves a life, saves the entire world."

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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