Did you ever wonder why we take three steps back and three steps forward before we pray? According to the Rokeach, a 13th century Ashkenazi rabbi, each step is based on a biblical verse. The first we read several weeks ago when the parsha talks about how Avraham approached Hashem to argue about Sodom. The second is found in this week's parsha, when we are told that Yehuda approaches Yosef, and the third appears in a few months when we will read in the haftarah (Kings I:18) how Eliyahu approaches Hashem to show the futility of idolatry.  

You might notice that while both Avraham and Eliyahu approach Hashem, Yehudah is approaching a mere human! According to the Ishbitzer rebbe (1801-1854), Yehuda is actually petitioning against the Almighty.  Everything he says is a complaint against Hashem for all they have been through.  Imagine his shock when Yosef reveals himself! The Ishbitzer explains, "And thus, in the future when Hashem, blessed be He, will save us and redeem us, then Hashem will show us that we were never in galut, and no nation ever ruled over us except for Hashem alone." 

On this note of redemption, my family and I were privileged to spend Chanukah in Eretz Yisrael where I had planned and unplanned occasions to see many Kohelet Yeshiva alumni.  I am sure many of us, when we take our three steps forward to begin our silent prayer to Hashem, are thinking of our children. It is so gratifying to see the seeds that we parents and teachers work so hard to plant in our children, blossom in the land of Israel. May we all merit to experience the final redemption speedily in our days!