בס”ד

Two Dreams, Two Paths: A Lesson in Avodah from Yosef and Pharaoh

In Parshat Vayeshev, we encounter one of the most fascinating figures in the entire Torah: Yosef HaTzaddik. His story is filled with drama, wisdom, leadership, and spiritual depth. In this teaching—originally delivered by the Lubavitcher Rebbe—we focus specifically on Yosef’s dreams and what they reveal about the essence of avodah, inner spiritual work.

If the entire idea could be summarized in one word, it would be: Avodah—the work a person must do on themselves to refine their character, elevate their life, and reveal G-dliness in the world.

Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 805.

Yosef’s Dreams: A Quick Review

Yosef dreams two dreams, both pointing to his future leadership.

Dream 1: The Sheaves

Yosef and his brothers are binding sheaves in the field. Suddenly, Yosef’s sheaf stands upright, and the brothers’ sheaves gather around and bow to it.

Dream 2: The Sun, Moon, and Stars

In the second dream, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bow to Yosef—expanding the vision even further.

Pharaoh’s Dreams: A Comparison

Later in Genesis, Pharaoh dreams two dreams:

  1. Seven fat cows swallowed by seven thin cows
  2. Seven healthy ears of grain consumed by seven thin ears

Yosef interprets both as one message: seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.

The Torah explains why Pharaoh dreamt twice—but does not explain why Yosef dreamt twice.

This opens the door to a deeper Chassidic insight.

Why Two Dreams? The Rebbe’s Questions

  1. Why does Yosef need two dreams if the message is similar?
  2. Why does Pharaoh dream about both animals and grain, while Yosef dreams first of the field and then of the heavens?
  3. What is the practical avodah-lesson for our lives?

The key lies in understanding the direction of the dreams.

Pharaoh: From Above Downward

Pharaoh’s dreams descend:

This reflects the nature of spiritual unholiness:
It always pulls downward—toward ego, materialism, and coarseness.

Yosef: From Below Upward

Yosef’s dreams ascend:

Holiness always strives upward.
Spiritual growth requires movement from effort to refinement, from physical struggle to inner elevation.

Two Stories Illustrating the Principle

The Rebbe brings two stories—not to distinguish between types of people, but to highlight the core message:
A life centered on the material naturally moves downward; a life centered on the Divine naturally moves upward.

Here are the stories:

1. The Previous Rebbe and the Soviet Officer

When the Previous Rebbe was arrested in 1927, a Soviet officer pointed a gun at him and said:

“This little toy has convinced many people.”

The Rebbe calmly responded:

“That toy frightens someone who has many G-ds and only one world.
But one who has one G-d and two worlds is not frightened by it.”

A person oriented toward spirituality lives—and reacts—differently.

2. The Maharash and His Assistant, Ben Tzion

The Maharash once asked his simple assistant, Benyamin, in front of his children:

“Why do you eat?”
—“To live.”
“And why do you live?”
—“To be a Jew and to do what G-d wants.”

When he said this, he sighed—an honest sigh of self-reflection.

The Maharash turned to his children and said:

“This is someone who understands the purpose of life.”

What’s the Avodah in Yosef’s Dream?

1. Binding Sheaves = Effort

Yosef’s first dream takes place in a field—symbolizing work.
Spiritual growth demands effort.
If something lifts you upward with no effort, it’s likely not holiness.

2. Binding Sheaves = Creating Unity

The world looks fragmented.
Our task is to “bind the sheaves”—to unify life, to gather scattered moments and experiences into meaningful purpose.

3. Bowing to Yosef = Submitting to Higher Guidance

Both dreams feature bowing.
In avodah, this represents humility—recognizing guidance beyond oneself, aligning with higher truth.

4. Why Two Dreams for Yosef?

They represent two levels of spiritual work:

  1. Work in the physical world (the field)
  2. Work in refined spiritual awareness (the stars)

Even at the highest levels, humility and guidance remain essential.

A Final Story: “Where Are You?”

During the Alter Rebbe’s imprisonment, a high-ranking minister asked him why G-d asked Adam, “Where are you?”
The Alter Rebbe answered:

“G-d’s question ‘Where are you?’ is asked to every person, every day.
At a certain age, G-d asks a person:
Where are you in your life? What are you doing with your time?”

This question echoes through Yosef’s dreams as well:

Are you moving upward like Yosef, or downward like Pharaoh?

With thanks to Rabbi Tuvia Serber for the shiur and the feedback.

Power Point



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