Parsha # 10: “Mikeitz / At The End”
(Breisheet / Genesis: 41:1 to 44:17)
Edition: 14L20
(Chag Chanukah Sameach, Y'All")
The Dreamer Makes It Big
Greetings Sojourners, Friends, Guests and Other Readers! Welcome!
Recently I have become a fan of the “Doctor Who” series from British Television. The 2005 revival of the series began with the ninth incarnation of the Doctor, played by Christopher Ecclestone, then, moved into the tenth embodiment of the lead character played by David Tennant. During all the Ecclestone role and the early episodes of Tennant’s, the Doctor’s ‘sidekick’ was named “Rose Tyler”, a character played very well by British Actress Billie Piper. As part of Rose’s storyline, we learn that her father was killed by a hit and run driver when Rose was just an infant, long before she joined the doctor in their inter-galactic travels.
Recently I have become a fan of the “Doctor Who” series from British Television. The 2005 revival of the series began with the ninth incarnation of the Doctor, played by Christopher Ecclestone, then, moved into the tenth embodiment of the lead character played by David Tennant. During all the Ecclestone role and the early episodes of Tennant’s, the Doctor’s ‘sidekick’ was named “Rose Tyler”, a character played very well by British Actress Billie Piper. As part of Rose’s storyline, we learn that her father was killed by a hit and run driver when Rose was just an infant, long before she joined the doctor in their inter-galactic travels.
Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and Doctor Who #10 (David Tennant) strike a pose in front of the TARDIS, a time-travelling space vehicle)
We later learn that her father had been a bit of dreamer and a ‘ne’er-do-well’ who was always dreaming up ‘deals’ and scheming about how to make it big and provide for his family. In this, her father never succeeded.
In a subsequent double episode, however, when Rose’s adventures were to come to an end, it is revealed that – in a parallel world, somewhere out in space – there is another Peter Tyler, who has done well, is an advisor to the Prime Minister in a “parallel Britain” and has made scads of money from his ‘inventions’ and ideas.
In a subsequent double episode, however, when Rose’s adventures were to come to an end, it is revealed that – in a parallel world, somewhere out in space – there is another Peter Tyler, who has done well, is an advisor to the Prime Minister in a “parallel Britain” and has made scads of money from his ‘inventions’ and ideas.
In our studies of the various Parshiot (portions) listed in Breisheet / Genesis, we have already encountered some dreamers. Mind you, I would maintain that the dreamers noted in Scripture, are different from the kind of dreamers that would fit Peter Tyler’s character. The dreamers of Scripture are men or women of God, or at least, ‘on the way’ to being such people. We recently encountered Ya'acov, for instance, who dreamt of the ladder stretching between Heaven and Earth while journeying to Paddan Aram. In our most recent Parsha, we learned of the son of Ya’acov, Yosef, whose revelation of his dreams almost got him killed, and did get him sold into slavery at the age of seventeen. In the verses following the section we studied last week, [just to fill in any gaps] we learn that Yosef is sold by the Ishmaelites / Midians in Egypt. As last week’s story ends, we realize that Yosef is being held, unjustly, in prison, and has graduated from being a dreamer, to being an interpreter of dreams. Two of his fellow prisoners were recently released from their cells, and the interpretation which Yosef gave of their dreams have both come to fruition.
I truly enjoy this week’s parsha – not just for the story line, but for the way it is presented. Technically, I suppose, my enjoyment is more due to the way the person[s] responsible for setting up the various Parshiot have divided his story into two parts. It’s a division worthy of the Doctor Who series itself. Let me explain why I say this. Years ago, (so I am told), movies that came to the local theatres were made into, and circulated as, ‘serials’. That is, the story line was divided up into parts, one part being shown each week. The intent of course, I am sure, was to get the public coming back, spending another nickel to learn how their hero gets out of the fix he’s in at the end of each episode. The dramatic endings were known as cliff-hangers – I suspect because the ending often had something to do with cliffs – hanging on to the rocky edge of a deep canyon, riding a horse off the edge of a mesa into thin air, or, reminiscent of Butch and Sundance, simply jumping into oblivion with nothing but a shout. One had to come back to see what would happen. This week’s Parsha is like that in a way, and when one comes the end of Mikeitz, there is a strong desire to just keep reading so as to learn Yosef’s fate. But we want to avoid that today. In fact, so much so, that we will only look at part of the story as it opens.
The recording, and thus the reading, of Yosef’s story goes by so quickly that we can easily be fooled into thinking that it takes place over a very short time line. This is not the case. Yosef was first sold (by his brotehrs), most likely while he was seventeen years of age, according to the introduction of his ‘character’ in V’Yeishev, our last parsha. He is sold in Egypt to a prominent courtier of Pharaoh’s government, named Potiphar. Long story short, Yosef ends up in prison, unjustly accused of something of which he is innocent. [NOTE: We will, God willing, study these ‘in-between’ events in upcoming years of this column.] At any rate, it is while in prison that, as I noted above, Yosef interprets the dreams of a ‘wine steward’ and a baker – both of whom worked for the Pharaoh, and one of whom was guilty of a crime of which they were both accused. After those men spent just 3 days in prison, they were released – presumably to be ‘tried’ in court. One is released and re-instated to his position (the wine steward) and the second (the baker) is hanged for his crime. The last word which Yosef uttered to the two men as they were being dragged off to court was “please remember that I am here and let Pharaoh know that I am unjustly being held.” We are told that it was Pharaoh’s birthday on the day the wine steward is pardoned and re-instated.
the
I truly enjoy this week’s parsha – not just for the story line, but for the way it is presented. Technically, I suppose, my enjoyment is more due to the way the person[s] responsible for setting up the various Parshiot have divided his story into two parts. It’s a division worthy of the Doctor Who series itself. Let me explain why I say this. Years ago, (so I am told), movies that came to the local theatres were made into, and circulated as, ‘serials’. That is, the story line was divided up into parts, one part being shown each week. The intent of course, I am sure, was to get the public coming back, spending another nickel to learn how their hero gets out of the fix he’s in at the end of each episode. The dramatic endings were known as cliff-hangers – I suspect because the ending often had something to do with cliffs – hanging on to the rocky edge of a deep canyon, riding a horse off the edge of a mesa into thin air, or, reminiscent of Butch and Sundance, simply jumping into oblivion with nothing but a shout. One had to come back to see what would happen. This week’s Parsha is like that in a way, and when one comes the end of Mikeitz, there is a strong desire to just keep reading so as to learn Yosef’s fate. But we want to avoid that today. In fact, so much so, that we will only look at part of the story as it opens.
The recording, and thus the reading, of Yosef’s story goes by so quickly that we can easily be fooled into thinking that it takes place over a very short time line. This is not the case. Yosef was first sold (by his brotehrs), most likely while he was seventeen years of age, according to the introduction of his ‘character’ in V’Yeishev, our last parsha. He is sold in Egypt to a prominent courtier of Pharaoh’s government, named Potiphar. Long story short, Yosef ends up in prison, unjustly accused of something of which he is innocent. [NOTE: We will, God willing, study these ‘in-between’ events in upcoming years of this column.] At any rate, it is while in prison that, as I noted above, Yosef interprets the dreams of a ‘wine steward’ and a baker – both of whom worked for the Pharaoh, and one of whom was guilty of a crime of which they were both accused. After those men spent just 3 days in prison, they were released – presumably to be ‘tried’ in court. One is released and re-instated to his position (the wine steward) and the second (the baker) is hanged for his crime. The last word which Yosef uttered to the two men as they were being dragged off to court was “please remember that I am here and let Pharaoh know that I am unjustly being held.” We are told that it was Pharaoh’s birthday on the day the wine steward is pardoned and re-instated.
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The River Nile
This week’s Parsha opens – we can presume – on a subsequent birthday of the Pharaoh, for there is an injected notation in the opening sentence. The title of the parsha is part of that notation. It reads: “It happened at the end of two years [to the day]: Pharaoh was dreaming that ….” In other words, 2 years have passed since the release of the two cell mates of Yosef. We also learn in this parsha, that when Yosef is delivered before Pharaoh, on this same day, that he is thirty years of age. This is clearly revealed in verse 46: “Now Yosef was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt.”
It can be worked out then, that a total of 13 years has passed since Yosef left Kena’an. Some of that would have been passed in the travels to Egypt, some of it during his employment in the house of Potiphar, and the largest extent would have been spent in captivity. We need to realize that Yosef began both in his employer’s house, and in the prison, as a lowly, disrespected servant, but who gained the confidence of first: his boss, and second: the prison ‘warden’. These things take time to achieve, though clearly we also have to remember that God is with Yosef in his travails, and is orchestrating much of what happens, so as to achieve His end. [In my mind, it is also worthy to note that Yosef is the same age when he begins his “career” as Y’shua was when He was baptized by Yochanan (the Immerser) in the Yarden River at the beginning of His ministry.] It is also worth noting that at least an additional Seven - and as many as 12 - more years will pass before Yosef is re-acquainted with his family.
The important part of this week’s passage is this – a number of years has passed in Yosef’s life, but now, once again it is time for Elohim to act so as to bring about the grand plan of birthing a nation peopled by the descendents of Ya'acov – a nation which will be named in his honour – “Israel”, a nation to which will be given the Torah – the Written Law, which will form the basis of human righteousness, and from whom will emerge the Living Word, the awaited Messiah of all humanity.
So.... Time has passed under God’s direction and now all things are ready. It is time to release Yosef from the cell, and so God reveals to Pharaoh (in a dream) the plan for the ensuing years of Egypt’s future (history??). In his dream Pharaoh is “standing over the River” (SEASC). The ‘river’ of course refers to the Nile. [NOTE: most other translations indicate that Pharaoh is “standing by” the Nile. The significance of this is determined by how one interprets the sense of the original phrase – as follows] If pharaoh is standing ‘by’ the River, it may be, especially since (reportedly) it is his birthday, that he is contemplating what the ensuing year will bring agriculturally. Each year, the river flooded over its banks to bring water to the arid regions of Egypt – thus permitting growth of crops, etc. This interpretation would allow a logical connection for the dream he later reports.
Another interpretation, however, draws on the wording “standing over the River”. Because of it’s importance, the Nile was considered one of the gods of Egypt, connected, and forming a triumvirate, with Isis and Osiris, and a god responsible for the prosperity of the nation. The term “standing over” could indicate that Pharaoh was haughtily imagining himself as greater than the god of the Nile. Thus, there could be a metaphoric or ‘midrashic’ understanding to the dream, subliminally suggesting that Pharaoh saw himself as responsible for the prosperity of Egypt, and thus in control of the natural order of things. [NOTE: Our readers need to remember this concept for a later Parsha, as we learn that one goal that Elohim will have is to crush all the gods of Egypt, thus illustratiing His own supremacy of man-made gods]
It can be worked out then, that a total of 13 years has passed since Yosef left Kena’an. Some of that would have been passed in the travels to Egypt, some of it during his employment in the house of Potiphar, and the largest extent would have been spent in captivity. We need to realize that Yosef began both in his employer’s house, and in the prison, as a lowly, disrespected servant, but who gained the confidence of first: his boss, and second: the prison ‘warden’. These things take time to achieve, though clearly we also have to remember that God is with Yosef in his travails, and is orchestrating much of what happens, so as to achieve His end. [In my mind, it is also worthy to note that Yosef is the same age when he begins his “career” as Y’shua was when He was baptized by Yochanan (the Immerser) in the Yarden River at the beginning of His ministry.] It is also worth noting that at least an additional Seven - and as many as 12 - more years will pass before Yosef is re-acquainted with his family.
The important part of this week’s passage is this – a number of years has passed in Yosef’s life, but now, once again it is time for Elohim to act so as to bring about the grand plan of birthing a nation peopled by the descendents of Ya'acov – a nation which will be named in his honour – “Israel”, a nation to which will be given the Torah – the Written Law, which will form the basis of human righteousness, and from whom will emerge the Living Word, the awaited Messiah of all humanity.
So.... Time has passed under God’s direction and now all things are ready. It is time to release Yosef from the cell, and so God reveals to Pharaoh (in a dream) the plan for the ensuing years of Egypt’s future (history??). In his dream Pharaoh is “standing over the River” (SEASC). The ‘river’ of course refers to the Nile. [NOTE: most other translations indicate that Pharaoh is “standing by” the Nile. The significance of this is determined by how one interprets the sense of the original phrase – as follows] If pharaoh is standing ‘by’ the River, it may be, especially since (reportedly) it is his birthday, that he is contemplating what the ensuing year will bring agriculturally. Each year, the river flooded over its banks to bring water to the arid regions of Egypt – thus permitting growth of crops, etc. This interpretation would allow a logical connection for the dream he later reports.
Another interpretation, however, draws on the wording “standing over the River”. Because of it’s importance, the Nile was considered one of the gods of Egypt, connected, and forming a triumvirate, with Isis and Osiris, and a god responsible for the prosperity of the nation. The term “standing over” could indicate that Pharaoh was haughtily imagining himself as greater than the god of the Nile. Thus, there could be a metaphoric or ‘midrashic’ understanding to the dream, subliminally suggesting that Pharaoh saw himself as responsible for the prosperity of Egypt, and thus in control of the natural order of things. [NOTE: Our readers need to remember this concept for a later Parsha, as we learn that one goal that Elohim will have is to crush all the gods of Egypt, thus illustratiing His own supremacy of man-made gods]
His dream, which is perhaps the second best known dream in Scripture, involves 2 parts, 2 installments if you like. In the first segment seven cows emerge from the Nile and graze in the fields nearby. Immediately “on their heel”, come seven gaunt, starving cows which devour the first seven cows completely (though one can not tell they had fed at all) before wandering off to other areas beyond the river’s edge. The second segment is similar, and involves the vision of one stalk of grain which has seven healthy, full heads of grain but which are soon completely ‘devoured’ by seven dry, meager and sun-scorched heads of grain which sprouted immediately after them.
None of Pharaoh’s advisors or ‘magicians’ (soothsayers and necromancers) are able to interpret the dream, and in the ensuing commotion, God reminds the wine steward of his prison encounter with Yosef. Yosef is called, cleaned and groomed so as to come before Pharaoh, and he is able to interpret the dream. He does not, however, take the credit upon himself, saying that “[the interpretation] is beyond me, it is God Who will respond with Pharaoh’s welfare.”(SEASC) Or as Stern words it: “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer that will set his mind at peace.”(CJB)
None of Pharaoh’s advisors or ‘magicians’ (soothsayers and necromancers) are able to interpret the dream, and in the ensuing commotion, God reminds the wine steward of his prison encounter with Yosef. Yosef is called, cleaned and groomed so as to come before Pharaoh, and he is able to interpret the dream. He does not, however, take the credit upon himself, saying that “[the interpretation] is beyond me, it is God Who will respond with Pharaoh’s welfare.”(SEASC) Or as Stern words it: “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer that will set his mind at peace.”(CJB)
Yosef then tells the Pharaoh that it is indeed one dream, and that the two segments indicate that the time is at hand for the initiation of what is coming. Yosef states that there will be seven years of plenty which will be followed immediately by seven years of famine, the effect of which will so great that the plentiful years will be completely forgotten. It can also be seen, according to the commentary of the sages, that while the first cows stayed near the river, indicating that only Egypt will enjoy these abundant years, the wandering off of the second set of cows [not noted in Scripture] would indicate that the famine would be more widespread, alluding to the upcoming visit by Yosef’s family.
Yosef then adds some advice to his interpretation. He tells Pharaoh that plans should be put in place to store the grain of the abundant years so it can be distributed to the people during the lean years. Upon hearing this suggestion, Pharaoh is so impressed that he places Yosef in charge and makes him the second most powerful person in the nation of Egypt, bestowing on him the title “Vizier” (“One who bears the burdens… incumbent upon the ruler”) [NOTE: Could one also extrapolate from this that since “viz” means ‘namely’ and that ‘vis’ means ‘face’, that a “vizier” is one whom, when a subject meets that person, it is synonymous with having seen the face of the ruler, himself? Does this have any implication for the future coming of the Messiah, who, as the Son of God, is understood as God dwelling amongst us for a time? ]
The timing of this encounter of Yosef before the Pharaoh is of utmost importance. While it can not, [or at least ‘should’ not] be said that Elohim is ever rushed in His efforts and activities, I think it is fair to state that Elohim is working under the time constraints of His plan for mankind, a plan which is, in turn, controlled (so-to-speak) by God’s prophetic revelations given to His trusted prophets and individuals. God, then – in His infinite wisdom and knowledge – is fully aware when something must, and will, occur. Similarly, He must also know a priori, when a plan must be set into motion so that the end result will occur “on time”. What lies ahead for Egypt and for Israel is set in motion by Pharaoh’s dream and Yosef’s release, yet the previous imprisonment was part of the schedule, as was the selling of Yosef, as was the revealing of his dreams to his brothers, as was his birth order, etc and so forth. Likewise, if the people Yisrael are to be at Sinai on the 6th of Sivan in the proper year, [a date obviously set by God previously, for a purpose] they will have to be redeemed at the proper time, they will have to have been enslaved at the proper time, they will have to have increased in population according to the same Divine schedule, Moshé will have to have been born in a timely fashion and so on and so on. Because God is in control, we see that all things happen in a timely manner according to His Will, a timeliness which is not revealed to us, His creatures, until after the fact.
We need to keep this in mind when we dream. I’m not speaking now of simple dreams and aspiration like Peter Tyler had, or that many of us have for ourselves. Dreams of retiring and driving around the continent in a Winnebago RV which we won on “The Price is Right” or “Let’s Make a Deal.” I’m not talking about the dream of becoming the CEO of the company where one is presently the Mail Clerk, or the aspiring to have a huge home in the suburbs with a servant in every room. No. I am speaking about having a dream, which God has put in your mind, on your heart, in your Spirit. I’m talking about a dream in which Adonai is revealing His will for you… a dream of what He has in store for you, a calling to ministry, a place in his Plan, a role to play for a season or more. I’m talking about God’s aspirations for us – for you and for me. Aspirations which He will bring to pass – when the season and the time is right FOR HIM and for HIS purpose. I am speaking of a dream which will have us agitated, stirred up, excited, motivated – even while it may be confounding to us in our limited understanding. I’m speaking of that dream which is never forgotten, but which may only be comprehended in our ‘looking back’ over our lives and seeing how God has brought all our story to fruition at “just the right time”
If we can simply grasp this concept of our dreams, and learn to trust God in fulfilling them, we will live to be a ripe old age due to the lack of stress in our lives, and every aspect of our lives along the way will be fully experienced as an adventure and an unforgettable event which enlivens and enriches our being beyond anything that this simple world can offer….. Ahmain?
Shavua Tov!! - Have a Great Week!!
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Yosef then adds some advice to his interpretation. He tells Pharaoh that plans should be put in place to store the grain of the abundant years so it can be distributed to the people during the lean years. Upon hearing this suggestion, Pharaoh is so impressed that he places Yosef in charge and makes him the second most powerful person in the nation of Egypt, bestowing on him the title “Vizier” (“One who bears the burdens… incumbent upon the ruler”) [NOTE: Could one also extrapolate from this that since “viz” means ‘namely’ and that ‘vis’ means ‘face’, that a “vizier” is one whom, when a subject meets that person, it is synonymous with having seen the face of the ruler, himself? Does this have any implication for the future coming of the Messiah, who, as the Son of God, is understood as God dwelling amongst us for a time? ]
The timing of this encounter of Yosef before the Pharaoh is of utmost importance. While it can not, [or at least ‘should’ not] be said that Elohim is ever rushed in His efforts and activities, I think it is fair to state that Elohim is working under the time constraints of His plan for mankind, a plan which is, in turn, controlled (so-to-speak) by God’s prophetic revelations given to His trusted prophets and individuals. God, then – in His infinite wisdom and knowledge – is fully aware when something must, and will, occur. Similarly, He must also know a priori, when a plan must be set into motion so that the end result will occur “on time”. What lies ahead for Egypt and for Israel is set in motion by Pharaoh’s dream and Yosef’s release, yet the previous imprisonment was part of the schedule, as was the selling of Yosef, as was the revealing of his dreams to his brothers, as was his birth order, etc and so forth. Likewise, if the people Yisrael are to be at Sinai on the 6th of Sivan in the proper year, [a date obviously set by God previously, for a purpose] they will have to be redeemed at the proper time, they will have to have been enslaved at the proper time, they will have to have increased in population according to the same Divine schedule, Moshé will have to have been born in a timely fashion and so on and so on. Because God is in control, we see that all things happen in a timely manner according to His Will, a timeliness which is not revealed to us, His creatures, until after the fact.
We need to keep this in mind when we dream. I’m not speaking now of simple dreams and aspiration like Peter Tyler had, or that many of us have for ourselves. Dreams of retiring and driving around the continent in a Winnebago RV which we won on “The Price is Right” or “Let’s Make a Deal.” I’m not talking about the dream of becoming the CEO of the company where one is presently the Mail Clerk, or the aspiring to have a huge home in the suburbs with a servant in every room. No. I am speaking about having a dream, which God has put in your mind, on your heart, in your Spirit. I’m talking about a dream in which Adonai is revealing His will for you… a dream of what He has in store for you, a calling to ministry, a place in his Plan, a role to play for a season or more. I’m talking about God’s aspirations for us – for you and for me. Aspirations which He will bring to pass – when the season and the time is right FOR HIM and for HIS purpose. I am speaking of a dream which will have us agitated, stirred up, excited, motivated – even while it may be confounding to us in our limited understanding. I’m speaking of that dream which is never forgotten, but which may only be comprehended in our ‘looking back’ over our lives and seeing how God has brought all our story to fruition at “just the right time”
If we can simply grasp this concept of our dreams, and learn to trust God in fulfilling them, we will live to be a ripe old age due to the lack of stress in our lives, and every aspect of our lives along the way will be fully experienced as an adventure and an unforgettable event which enlivens and enriches our being beyond anything that this simple world can offer….. Ahmain?
Shavua Tov!! - Have a Great Week!!
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Acknowledgements
Wikipedia and other Internet sources for background information
Scherman, R. Nosson; and Zlotowitz, R. Meir; Editors, Stone Edition Art Scroll Chumash, Mesorah Heritage Foundation / Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, New York, 2008
Stern, David, The Complete Jewish Bible, Jewish New Testament Publications Inc, Clarkville, Maryland. 1998
Zodiates, Spiros, Exec Editor, The Hebrew Greek Key Word Bible (New American Version Bible) AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 1977
Barker, Kenneth, General Editor, The New International Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985
Wikipedia and other Internet sources for background information
Scherman, R. Nosson; and Zlotowitz, R. Meir; Editors, Stone Edition Art Scroll Chumash, Mesorah Heritage Foundation / Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, New York, 2008
Stern, David, The Complete Jewish Bible, Jewish New Testament Publications Inc, Clarkville, Maryland. 1998
Zodiates, Spiros, Exec Editor, The Hebrew Greek Key Word Bible (New American Version Bible) AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 1977
Barker, Kenneth, General Editor, The New International Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985
