Parshas Miketz
Learning His Lesson
By Rabbi Pinchas Avruch
"It happened at the end of two years to the day: Pharaoh was dreaming that,
behold, he was standing over the river.[Yosef (Joseph) said to Pharaoh,]
'Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the
land of Egypt.'" (Beraishis/Genesis 41:1, 33) For placing too much faith in
the Chamberlain of the Cupbearers to secure his release from prison, and
not relying on G-d for his salvation, Yosef was Divinely punished with two
additional years of incarceration (see Rashi's explanation of 40:23). G-d
punishes with the intent of the recipient learning the appropriate lesson
so he may correct his errant ways. But Yosef's suggestion of the necessary
skill set of a candidate for viceroy appears as an appeal to Pharaoh to
release him so he may himself assume the position. Once again, Yosef
requested salvation from a fellow human. Did "Yosef the Tzaddik (Righteous
One)" not learn his lesson during his two years in prison?
Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler (1) explains we know that Yosef did learn that G-d
exclusively controls the success and destiny of all the world's
inhabitants, as evidenced by his reply to Pharaoh's request. "And Pharaoh
said to Yosef (Joseph), 'I dreamt a dream but no one can interpret it. Now
I heard it said of you that you comprehend a dream to interpret it.' Yosef
answered Pharaoh saying, 'That is beyond me; it is G-d who will respond
with Pharaoh's welfare.'" (v. 15-16). Indeed, by stating so unequivocally
that he played no active role in the deciphering of the dreams, he
completely undermined the misconception that "you comprehend a dream to
interpret it", likely destroying his last opportunity to ever be released
from prison.
By doing so, concludes Rabbi Dessler, Yosef demonstrated the completeness
of his dependence on a Divine resolution to his crisis, negating all
reliance on his own actions. Working within this mindset, Yosef's
suggestion to Pharaoh regarding the viceroy did not constitute a breach. A
lack of faith is not demonstrated by a particular action but by the
mindset behind that action. Giving Pharaoh the "opportunity" to release
him while maintaining a complete unswerving reliance on Divine kindness
is, indeed, the embodiment of exhibiting faith in G-d.
Have a Good Shabbos!
(1) in Michtav Me'Eliyahu, his collected writings and discourses; 1891-
1954; of London and B'nai Brak, one of the outstanding personalities and
thinkers of the Mussar movement.
Text Copyright © 2004 by Rabbi Pinchas Avruch
and Torah.org.
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