“And it was the end of two years …” (41:1)
The opening verse in this week’s Parsha Vayehi Mikeitz Shenasayim Yamim literally means, “And it was the end of two years.” However, according to the R’ Shraga Yair of Bialovzeg, it can also mean: Mikeitz, at the end of days, Shenasayim, years, Yomim, will turn into days. Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita explains that this is a prophetic statement meaning that in acharis hayomim, the end of days, what previously took years to enfold will occur in a matter of days. History literally will be on fast-forward. Major events, inventions, and innovations will happen in rapid succession and at great speed. This is because time is running out
This unique phenomenon motivates and compels us to accomplish more on behalf of the Jewish people. We cannot rest on our laurels. We cannot be indifferent or apathetic. Rav Aharon Leib Steinman, Zt”l, whose Yahrtzeit (memorial) was this week said that we must act feverishly to reconnect as many Jews as possible before time elapses. Rav Steinman said that this is the most important mission for the Jewish people – to bring back as many Jews as we can.
Just as time is moving at record speed so is the thirst for meaning and holiness. We need to galvanize ourselves and create more and more opportunities for Torah learning and Kiruv for all Hashem’s children, no matter their background or affiliation. Torah is every Jew’s heritage.
