Of course, word of Joseph’s family reaches Pharaoh. And they are welcomed by everyone thanks to Joseph’s reputation. The story of a family reconciled is heart-warming. Then Joseph has to go to speak to Pharaoh to confirm the arrangements. But beforehand he tells the brothers that when they meet Pharaoh and he asks them what their occupation is, they should…
Author: Jeremy Rosen
Joseph the Socialist
The famine continues. Joseph is the master of Egypt. At first the Egyptians can buy food. When the money runs out they have to sell their flocks and herds. Finally, Joseph takes over all their lands and turns then into serfs. But more than this, he moves them away from their original lands and transfers them to other locations in…
From Prison to Rule
The more I read about Joseph the more impressed I am. The way he rebounded from one disaster after another, how he worked hard to reach the top, time and time again. He becomes the head of Potiphar’s household. Sent to jail he rises to manage the prison. And now called to explain Pharaoh’s dreams, he becomes the senior administrator…
Consultancy
The genius of Joseph was not so much in his interpretations of dreams. Clearly, he had a gift. But as he admits, the gift came from God. Interpreting dreams was just his visiting card. It got him through the door. But once in he had to make himself indispensable. You could say his story is that of the first consultant.…
Dreams
“Mikeytz” is known as the Shabbat of Dreams because of the part that dreams play in it even though there are earlier examples of dreams in the Torah. By implication Avraham dreamt first when he fell asleep and God appeared and promised the land of Israel to his descendants. Then God appeared to Avimelech the Philistine King. Jacob dreamt of…
Spies
The famine in Canaan forces the brothers to go down to Egypt for corn. They come down, minus Benjamin, the other son of Rachel who died in childbirth. Jacob was not going to risk losing him too. The arrive at the distribution center where Joseph himself controls the process. Joseph immediately recognizes them. They were mature men when he last…