Parshas Miketz
Jewish Dreams
The Torahs use of
the word miketz at the conclusion - instead of the word acharei after or
later is the cause for much comment amongst our sages. The rabbis seem
to indicate that the word miketz or ketz signifies not only a
chronological change in time frame but rather a complete change from the
past situation to a completely different situation and even another era.
Pharaohs dreams signify not only that two years have passed since Yosef
was imprisoned but rather that a completely new situation is now about
to be constructed that will naturally impinge on the lives of Pharaoh
and Yosef. One of the great characteristics of Yosefs personality, as we
view it through the lens of the Torah narrative, is his adaptability to
change circumstances while retaining his inner self-confidence and
rock-hard faith. Even when he is in the pit with snakes and scorpions
surrounding him, pleading for his life from his own brothers, he is
still Yosef, the confident and optimistic dreamer. Sold into Egyptian
slavery, his talents and drive bring him to a position of importance in
the house of Potiphar. At no time does he relinquish his belief in
himself and in the realization of his dreams. It is the dream of his
father and brothers eventually recognizing his greatness and holiness
that allows him to avoid the pitfall of Potiphars wife. And even in
prison he is the expert on dreams, not only his dreams but those of
others as well. His adaptability to fortune, both good and bad, and his
ability to remain Yosef the righteous one throughout his life is what
sets him apart in the story of the Jews and earns him eternal
approbation and approval.
In Yosef we see the story of the Jewish people generally. In a world of
billions of people of other faiths, of oppressors and murderers, of
hardship and never-ending challenge and changing circumstance, of the
rise and fall of empires and superpowers, the Jewish people have
remained constant in their self-confidence and the eventual fulfillment
of their dreams. The outside world often mistook this Jewish strength of
adaptability and holy stubbornness for arrogance (Remember DeGaulles
statements about Israel and the Jews after the Six-Day War?) It is often
disturbing that the only interpreters of dreams for a world that finds
itself imprisoned by terror, materialism and emptiness of meaning are
the Jews and the Jewish values that have created other faiths and
propelled human civilization forward. The State of Israel and the
resurgence of Torah within a significant section of the Jewish world in
the face of overwhelming hatred, discrimination and assimilation,
emulates this ability of Yosef to remain Yosef no matter what changes
occur in ones life and society. Our generation also came into being at a
time of miketz the ending of an era and the beginning of a completely
new world of politics, technology and mass media. The old world of
nostalgia is gone, never to return. How we will adapt to the new
realities of our existence and yet remain faithful to our heritage and
to the realization of our ancient dreams is the supreme challenge of our
time. All of Jewish history teaches us that, all statistics and
pessimistic experts notwithstanding, we will also be able to be equal to
the challenge of Jewish survival and growth and the actualization of the
Jewish dream here in Israel and throughout human society.
Shabat shalom.
Chanuka sameach.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Text Copyright © 2006 by Rabbi Berel Wein and Torah.org
Visit www.rabbiwein.com for a complete selection of Rabbi Wein's books and tapes.
