Summary Mikketz 5762
This Shabbat is one of those rare occasions when we read from three Torah scrolls. This is due to the combination of Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah.

In the first scroll we read the sedra of Miketz, in which Joseph became the viceroy of Egypt and provider for the whole of the most powerful nation at that time. In the second scroll, we read the special portion for Rosh Chodesh. In the third scroll, we read the special portion for Chanukah (Bamidbar, chapter 7), which records the offerings brought for the dedication of the Tabernacle in the desert of Sinai. This portion is appropriate because Chanukah marks the rededication of the Second Temple, following its defilement by the Greeks.

The sedra of Miketz contains 'part two' of the story of Joseph and his brothers, At the end of last week's portion, following the dreams of the butler and the baker, Joseph predicted that the butler would be restored to his position as Pharaoh's butler. Joseph asked that the butler should put in a good word on his behalf, but the butler 'forgot' to do so. Now, two years later, Pharaoh dreams:

In the first dream, 7 healthy and well-fed cows climbed out of the Nile followed by 7 very lean and skinny cows that ate the well-fed cows, but still remained skinny and lean. Pharaoh awoke, then fell asleep and dreamt again.

In the second dream 7 big ears of grain were growing out of one stalk. Then Pharaoh saw another 7 thin and shrivelled ears of grain growing on 7 different stalks. The thin and shrivelled stalks devoured the 7 mature ears.

Pharaoh understood these dreams to be of great significance, as they had occurred on his birthday, but none of his wise men could explain them adequately. Then the butler 'remembered' Joseph who had explained the meaning of his dream two years previously.

Joseph was released from prison where he had been for 12 years. He was brought to Pharaoh and asked to interpret his dreams. Joseph explained that Egypt was to be faced with 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine, and it would be wise to be well prepared. Pharaoh felt that Joseph had the correct interpretation, and asked him to take charge of the running of the country during this time.

When the famine began, people from the surrounding countries journeyed to Egypt to purchase grain, including ten of Joseph's brothers. The midrash says that they also intended to see if they could find Joseph, who had now been missing for 22 years. Benjamin was not allowed to accompany his brothers, as Jacob feared for his life.

When the brothers came before Joseph, he accused them of spying and put them in prison. The brothers were released after three days and were allowed to return home. But Joseph insisted that they should return with Benjamin and kept Shimon behind as a hostage. This was probably to avoid Shimon and Levi getting together and attacking Egypt and because they, most of all, had wanted to see Joseph killed. On hearing the demand for Benjamin, the brothers saw this as retribution for what they had done to Joseph years ago, and expressed great remorse for not having had pity on him. (42:21)

On their way home, the brothers stopped overnight at an inn, to find that not only were their bags filled with grain, but that also, their money had been refunded. They were greatly afraid and now saw the hand of G-d in what had happened.

Jacob was very annoyed that his sons had told the Egyptian ruler of Benjamin's existence. Joseph had gone, now Shimon had gone and they wanted to take Benjamin with them. It was too much. Jacob would not allow the brothers to return to Egypt. Reuben offered to be the guarantor for Benjamin's safety - by offering that his own sons would be killed if Benjamin were not returned safely! Jacob did not even bother to respond to such an offer. Reuben's sons were his grandsons!

Eventually, the famine in Canaan deteriorated so much that Jacob agreed to Judah's offer to stand as guarantor for Benjamin's safety. The brothers returned to Egypt. One of Joseph's stewards invited the brothers to dine with Joseph. The brothers were very frightened, assuming they had been summoned to explain the missing money that was in their sacks. But the steward reassured them and said that it must have been a gift from G-d.

They had a grand meal, and received generous presents from Joseph, with Benjamin receiving five times as much as his brothers. Joseph sat alone, because his status as ruler meant that he could not sit with the brothers who were foreigners, but as he was a Hebrew the Egyptians would not eat with him either!

The sedra comes to a dramatic end. As the brothers were about to leave Egypt, Joseph instructed one of his servants to put his special silver cup in Benjamin's sack, then run after the brothers and accuse them of stealing. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack and Joseph declared that Benjamin would go to jail and the brothers could go home to their father. This was exactly what Jacob had feared. How would the brothers react, especially Judah, who had promised to protect Benjamin? The answer is in next week's sedra!

Points to Ponder

1. How did Joseph arrive at his interpretation of Pharaoh's dream; what made him treat the two dreams as one, and why did Pharaoh prefer his interpretation to those of his wise men? We should remember that Joseph was regarded as a Hebrew slave (41:12), that is, of lowly status, certainly in comparison to his wise men!

Answer:
After Pharaoh finished relating the first dream to Joseph, he states 'I woke up. Then I saw in my dream'.. (41:21-22). It is thus clear that Pharaoh saw the dream as one, which he says to Joseph in verse 15: 'I have dreamt a dream, and no-one can interpret it. The wise men, however understood that Pharaoh had dreamt two dreams (41:8) - 'Pharaoh related his dream to the wise men, and none of them could explain them to Pharaoh'.

If so, there had to be a connecting theme, and not as the 'wise men' had understood. The river, the cows and the grain, clearly all had something in common, issues of drought and plenty.

Joseph's observation that the years of plenty would come first, followed by years of famine, during which the years of plenty would be forgotten, was due to the fact that the thin cows remained thin, even after they had consumed the healthy cows.

All this meant that Joseph's further guidance was appreciated, despite his lowly status. But despite his leadership role, he was made to remember his status - note the meal with his brothers.

2. Why did Joseph behave in such a hostile way towards his brothers?

Answer:
One view is that he felt that there could only be proper reconciliation if the brothers were put in a similar situation again, and reacted differently. After his disappearance from the family, it was clear to Joseph that Benjamin was his father's favourite. How would the brothers react if he was placed in danger? Joseph's first demand was for Benjamin to be brought to Egypt. Placed in that position, Joseph witnessed his brother's remorse over their conduct towards him, but that wasn't enough. He tested them again by lavishing presents on Benjamin. They passed that test too. But the final test, with Benjamin placed in danger, was the critical test. It is that test which ends this week's sedra and begins next weeks'.

Shabbat Shalom