Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17 )

This week’s Torah portion begins with the famous episode of Yosef’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams. Yosef explains to Pharaoh that the dreams are alluding to the fact that there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. However, Yosef goes further and tells Pharaoh that he should appoint a wise and discerning man to oversee the collection of the food during the time of plenty so that there would be enough food available when the famine arrived.

The commentaries ask: how could Yosef initiate this suggestion when Pharaoh only asked him for the interpretation of the dreams, not how he should proceed?

The Ramban1 explains that Yosef saw that in the dream the seven skinny cows that represented the famine swallowed the seven fat cows that represented the time of plenty. From this, Yosef understood that the food from the time of plenty should be saved in order to be available in the time of famine, which meant that someone had to be in charge of ensuring this would happen. The question that arises is why did Yosef emphasize that it was it necessary for that person to be wise and discerning.

One possible answer can be derived from the Mishna in Pirkei Avot that teaches: “Who is the chacham (wise one)? ‘Haroeh es hanolad’ – one who sees the outcomes.”2 The Mishna is teaching that wisdom is found in one who anticipates future situations and acts accordingly. Thus, Yosef was telling Pharaoh that in order to successfully navigate the upcoming years, a person who had the wisdom to anticipate the future and act accordingly, was vital to ensure a prosperous future. Pharaoh, in turn, recognized that Yosef fit the criteria himself through his interpretation of the dream and accompanying suggestion of how to act based on that interpretation.

This is not the only time where Yosef demonstrated great foresight and wisdom in his actions. In Vayigash, the Torah outlines various decrees that Yosef made in his position as Viceroy of Egypt. One was that he made a law that Priests were exempt from selling their land to Pharaoh which enabled them to be independent. The question is why would Yosef help Idol worshipping Priests in this way. The answer is that he anticipated that in the future, the Jewish people may be enslaved by the Egyptians but any Jew who was considered a Priest in that they were devoted to Torah learning and divine service, would be exempt from the slavery. This is indeed what played out, as the Tribe of Levi took on this role as Priests of the Jewish people and therefore were not enslaved like their fellows Jews. This proved vital to enabling Moshe and Aaron, members of Shevet Levi, to travel freely in their efforts to free the Jews. This again demonstrates Yosef’s wisdom and recognition of the importance of preparing for the future.

This trait of anticipating and preparing for the future is essential to a Jew in many aspects of his Divine Service. In the realm of tefilla, halacha dictates that one must set aside a small amount of time of preparation to clear his mind of outside thoughts. Likewise, the Nefesh HaChaim stresses that preparation before learning Torah is essential. He writes: “Whenever one prepares himself to learn, it is proper for him to spend at least a small amount of time contemplating a pure fear of G-d with a pure heart.”3

Moreover, the Rabbis teach that when a person is in the midst of a challenge to his character traits, then it is extremely difficult to overcome that challenge b’shaat maaseh – while he is in the midst of the challenge. Rather, beforehand, in a time of calm, a person should anticipate the possible challenges that could arise and already consider a plan of action how to successfully navigate those challenges. For example, a father and husband who is arriving home tired and hungry after a long day at work, or learning, should be prepared for the fact that he may not be greeted by a serene scene at home and his supper laid out in front of him. Instead, he may be met by crying children, a wife in need to someone to take over, and the food not yet in the oven. If the man did not plan beforehand for this not so uncommon eventuality, then he is likely to be shocked when it happens and consequently may deal with it in a less-than-optimal fashion. However, if he anticipates it, then he can reset his attitude from expectation of an easy return home to the possibility of difficult situations then he is far more likely to overcome his natural emotions. Moreover, he can plan in a practical way, such as eating a snack before he gets home, to allay his hunger until supper is ready.

The importance of preparation is equally great with regard to longer-term life situations such as getting married and having children. If a person spends no time and energy considering the potential challenges he will face in marriage and parenting, then he may well be unpleasantly surprized when he is suddenly confronted with them. In addition to practical planning for these life events, a person’s whole life leading up to marriage and parenting is really a preparation for those times. If he has worked on his character traits up to that point, then he will be far better prepared to face the new tests that come with marriage and parenting. In this vein, when someone asked Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe when he should start learning about parenting, he is said to have answered, ‘twenty years before you have children’. He obviously meant that one’s life up to that point should be building someone to be as prepared as possible for when he actually has children.

We have learnt from Yosef the idea that preparing for events with foresight is an essential aspect of wisdom and can enable a person to have a far great chance at succeeding in many areas of life.

Par le rabbin Yehonasan Gefen

May we merit to learn the importance of letting time help us make the right decisions.

Notes

  1. We will focus on the Rashbam’s words, but this approach is also adapted by the Chizkuni, and Rabbeinu Bechaye. Also see Daat Zekeinim Mibaalei HaTosefot.
  2. Indeed, this understanding appears to be based on the Rabbinic sources.
  3. This is in contrast to Rashi according to whom, the brothers except for Reuven, sold Yosef themselves, and Reuven who had been away from the brothers, discovered what they had done later. According to the Rashbam, Reuven was with the brothers the whole time, but discovered that Yosef had been sold first, perhaps because he was trying to free him before Yosef could be sold.
  4. Bereishit, 45:4.
  5. This is not to enter into the other damaging aspects of many aspects of modern technology.
  6. In this vein, a very strong letter written by Abraham Lincoln to one of his Generals was found in his possessions – the letter was never sent. Evidently, he thought better of sending it.

PORTION HEBDOMADAIRE DE LA TORAH,

La lumière qui guide
par Rabbin Yehonasan Gefen

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