Parshas Mikeitz
Exactly two years after the feast, when Yosef is thirty, Pharaoh has a dream that he is standing over the Nile , when out of the river emerge seven cows, who are robust and beautiful, and grazing in the marshland. Suddenly, another seven cows emerge from the river. These cows are ugly and skinny, and eat the beautiful cows. Pharaoh awakes then falls back asleep and has another dream. In this dream, seven ears of corn sprout on a single stalk, healthy and good. Suddenly, seven thin ears swallow up the healthy ears. He then awakes and realizes that is was a dream.
In the morning, Pharaoh is upset and summons all the magicians and wise men in his kingdom to interpret the dreams, but none of them can. Then the Chamberlain of the Cupbearers remembers Yosef, and tells Pharaoh how he had interpreted his and the baker’s dreams in jail. Pharaoh sends for Yosef, who is groomed and presented to Pharaoh. Yosef tells Pharaoh that he is only interpreting what G-d tells him. Pharaoh relates his dreams to Yosef, and says no one is able to interpret them.
Yosef says that both dreams represent the same thing-what G-d is about to do. The seven good cows and ears of corn represent seven years of plenty that are to come. The seven bad cows and ears of corn represent seven years of famine which will immediately follow the years of plenty. The famine will be so severe that the years of plenty will be forgotten. The reason that Pharaoh had dreamt two dreams was to show that G-d is hastening to accomplish this plan. Yosef then advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise man over Egypt , to prepare for the famine. He says that food should be amassed, during the years of plenty, so that Egypt will not perish in the famine.
The interpretations are good in the eyes of Pharaoh and his servants and Yosef is appointed as Pharaoh’s right-hand man. He becomes second in charge in Egypt and is given Pharaoh’s ring, fine clothes, and a gold chain around his neck. He also rides the second royal chariot and is called “Avrech”-the composite of the word for father (av) and either king or tender (rach). Pharaoh calls Yosef “Tzafnas-Paneach” (“who explains what is hidden”) and gives him the Chief of On’s daughter, Asnas, as a wife.
Yosef collects the countless grain during the years of plenty. He has two sons, Manasheh (for “G-d has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household”) and Ephraim (for “G-d has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering”). When the years of famine finally arrive, Egypt is the only land with food. Yosef is commanded by Pharaoh to sell provisions of bread to everyone who comes to him, because the famine had become severe everywhere.
Yaakov hears there is food in Egypt and sends his sons there to buy some.
Yosef’s brother (the youngest), Binyamin stays home, because Yaakov is scared something could happen to him. Yosef’s brothers come and bow to him to beg for food. Yosef recognizes them but acts as a stranger, because they don’t recognize him. He accuses them of being spies after asking them where they come from. He imprisons them for three days, then allows them to fetch the youngest brother, while Shimon remains in jail. The brothers realize that this is punishment for what they did to Yosef all those years ago. He gives them provisions, their money back, and food for the road.
The brothers stop at an inn and realize that their money has been returned and are greatly distressed. They go home and tell their father. Yaakov refuses to let Binyamin go, for fear he would lose another son. Reuven says Yaakov can kill his two sons if he does not bring Binyamin back. Yaakov still refuses. When they run out of food, Yehudah says he will take full responsibility for Binyamin, and Yaakov allows him to go. He gives them gifts to give to the man in charge, as well as double the amount of money returned. He blesses them that G-d should be with them.
The brothers return to Yosef and when he sees Binyamin, he has a feast prepared for them all. Shimon is returned to the rest of the brothers, and all their donkeys are fed, as well. Yosef asks about the welfare of Yaakov and then goes into the other room to weep after seeing Binyamin. Yosef then has the meal served and seats the astonished brothers in the order of their birth. Binyamin’s portion was five times as much as the rest and they all became intoxicated with Yosef.
Yosef instructed his servants to fill the brothers’ bags with as much food as they can carry and their returned money. He also asked that his silver goblet be placed in Binyamin’s bag. The brothers had not gone far the next day when he instructed the one in charge of his house to chase after them and accuse them of stealing his cup. They deny this accusation and their bags are searched with the threat that the one who has the cup shall die, and the rest shall be slaves to the servant’s lord. The goblet is found in Binyamin’s sack and the brothers tear their garments and return to the city.
The brothers fall to the ground in front of Yosef and Yehudah says they are ready to be slaves. Yosef replies that only the man in whose possessions the goblet was found shall be his slave, and the rest should return home to their father, in peace.
Dvar Torah
When Pharaoh heard that Yosef was able to interpret dreams, he immediately had him rushed out of prison. The Chofetz Chaim takes note that when the time came for Yosef’s liberation, he was not let out of prison slowly. Rather he was rushed with the greatest speed. This is the way G-d brings about redemption. The moment the proper time comes along, not a second is wasted. This is how it will be with the final redemption. As soon as the right time comes, we will be immediately delivered from our exile. It is also important to remember that rushing to do mitzvos gives us extra reward and brings the redemption that much closer.
In every difficult life situation, it is comforting to realize that in just one moment the entire picture can change. Yosef had no deadline by which he could count on being set free. However, his imprisonment and freedom were not dependent on the whims of his mortal captors. Rather, G-d gave him a set time to remain in prison. As soon as the time was reached, Yosef was immediately saved from his plight. We must remember in difficult times that even when we can make no change in our difficult situation, and we do not see our situation changing in the future, our liberation can still come in the very next instant.