בס”ד
A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT MIKEITZ 5785
Pharaoh’s Dreams
18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favoured; and they fed in the reed-grass. | וְהִנֵּ֣ה מִן־הַיְאֹ֗ר עֹלֹת֙ שֶׁ֣בַע פָּר֔וֹת בְּרִיא֥וֹת בָּשָׂ֖ר וִיפֹ֣ת תֹּ֑אַר וַתִּרְעֶ֖ינָה בָּאָֽחוּ |
| 19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favoured and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness. | וְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶֽׁבַע־פָּר֤וֹת אֲחֵרוֹת֙ עֹל֣וֹת אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן דַּלּ֨וֹת וְרָע֥וֹת תֹּ֛אַר מְאֹ֖ד וְרַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר לֹֽא־רָאִ֧יתִי כָהֵ֛נָּה בְּכָל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לָרֹֽעַ |
23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them. | וְהִנֵּה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שִׁבֳּלִ֔ים צְנֻמ֥וֹת דַּקּ֖וֹת שְׁדֻפ֣וֹת קָדִ֑ים צֹֽמְח֖וֹת אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם |
| 24 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.’ | וַתִּבְלַ֨עְןָ֙ הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֣ים הַדַּקֹּ֔ת אֵ֛ת שֶׁ֥בַע הַשִּׁבֳּלִ֖ים הַטֹּב֑וֹת וָֽאֹמַר֙ אֶל־הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֔ים וְאֵ֥ין מַגִּ֖יד לִֽי |
Genesis 41: 18-19 and 23:24 describe Pharaoh’s dreams, which involve cows and stalks of grain. These are directly connected to the earth, in contrast to Joseph’s dreams, which involve sheaves of grain and celestial bodies. Joseph is connected not only to the earth but also to the heavens. Another significant difference is that Joseph’s dreams show an upward trajectory, from earth to heaven, while Pharaoh’s dreams show a downward trajectory. The fat cows and grain stalks are consumed by the lean ones and ultimately perish, scattered by the east wind. We are familiar with the story and its aftermath. The dreams are a sign from G-d that a famine is coming, and Joseph becomes the viceroy, providing food for the world. Joseph is called Joseph the Tzaddik, the righteous one; he provides not only physical sustenance but also spiritual nourishment, just as the tzaddikim after him have done and will continue to do
The Battle of Positive and Negative Traits.
In Pharaoh’s dreams, we see how seven healthy cows are consumed by seven lean cows. This can be seen as a powerful symbol for the battle between positive and negative traits within a person. The healthy cows represent the good, positive attributes, such as love, discipline, gratitude, and joy, while the lean cows represent the negative attributes, such as selfishness, anger, jealousy, and fear. When negative traits, such as hatred or selfishness, take over, they begin to suppress the positive ones, making it harder for a person to make good choices and get closer to their spiritual purpose.
The Destructive Power of Negative Traits
This is akin to how diseases, such as cancer, affect the body. When a person, G-d forbid, develops cancer, we see how malignant cells devour and destroy the healthy ones. This process reflects how negative traits can suppress and ultimately destroy the positive ones. Negative traits weaken a person’s character and create space for selfish desires, pushing love, compassion, and other good attributes aside. Egypt, known for its devotion to materialism and nature, became ensnared by these negative traits and lost its moral compass, just as Pharaoh’s dreams illustrate the weakening of positive qualities within a person.
In this way, we can understand how the balance between positive and negative traits in a person can shift. When the negative traits take over, the positive ones become hidden, and the person becomes further removed from their spiritual goal.
Lessons from the Past: Redemption and Resilience
Egypt is the first exile for the Jewish people, symbolic of all the exiles that will follow. Times of deep darkness, situations where salvation and redemption seem impossible. G-d redeems the people from Egypt, just as He redeemed them from the Hasmoneans. The Maccabees placed their complete trust in G-d, leading them to consecrate the Temple despite having only enough oil for one day. They believed that G-d would ensure the Menorah kept burning, and it did for eight days.
This perspective extends to the present day, where the people mourn deeply for their loved ones who have been killed and are still being held hostage. The pain and injustice they experience from nations that, in large numbers, undermine the right to self-defense and barely condemn the actions of the enemies. However, G-d will deliver the many into the hands of the few and the strong into the hands of the weak. This was true in Joseph’s time, during the time of the Maccabees, and will be true for the nations that rise against G-d’s people.
From this story, we can glean several valuable lessons
- Spiritual Resilience: The story illustrates the importance of spiritual resilience in times of adversity. Both Joseph and the Maccabees relied on G-d and drew strength from their spiritual convictions to overcome challenges.
- Duality of Good and Evil: The duality of good and bad traits, as embodied in the midot, is a recurring theme. It shows how negative aspects can threaten the positive, similar to how diseases can affect the body when negative tendencies prevail.
- Connectedness of History: It connects historical events, such as the exile from Egypt and the Maccabean struggle, to contemporary conflicts. This underscores the ongoing relevance of spiritual lessons and the importance of understanding our history.
- Self-Sacrifice and Trust in G-d: The courage of the Maccabees, especially during the Temple dedication, reflects the idea of self-sacrifice and complete trust in G-d, even in seemingly impossible situations.
- Divine Providence: It emphasizes the concept of Divine providence, where G-d is actively involved in guiding events and providing direction in times of need.
These learning points provide insight into the human experience, spiritual growth, and the ongoing quest for justice and freedom.
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to B. Yaniger for the inspiration
With thanks to Rabbi Tani Burton for his feedback
Sources:
Netivot Shalom
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