10: Miketz
Welcome to TLDR Torah: a synopsis of the weekly parsha based on Robert Alter’s translation, plus a question to spur your Shabbat dinner (or any!) conversation.
Parsha Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)
TLDR:
Pharaoh dreams two dreams in times gone by. In the first, seven beautiful cows come out of the Nile to be eaten by seven ugly ones. In the second, seven fulsome ears of grain grow on a stalk to be swallowed up by seven thin ears.
No one can understand the dreams, so Joseph is brought from jail to interpret them: there will be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.
Pharaoh makes Joseph his second-in-command to organize Egypt’s food storage logistics. A faster ascent than Zuckerberg into the titans of industry!
Joseph marries an Egyptian, and has two kids. Events proceed as he predicts.
Jacob tells his sons (excluding Benjamin, the youngest) to go to Egypt to procure food. They arrive, and bow down to Joseph, fulfilling Joseph’s childhood dreams. Joseph recognizes them, but they don’t recognize him.
Joseph accuses his brothers of being spies, and demands that they return with Benjamin to prove otherwise. He initially permits only one brother to leave, but - after three days of jailtime and overhearing his brothers discuss their predicament - he privately weeps, relents and lets them all go, save Shimon.
More drama at home. The brothers return to Jacob, and realize they still have the money they used to pay for the grain (Joseph secretly handed it back). Reuben clumsily asks to return with Benjamin, but Jacob only agrees once Judah promises his protection. The brothers depart for Egypt bearing gifts and double the money.
Joseph invites his brothers to his house for a meal and sees Benjamin. Losing control of his emotions, he leaves the room to weep again.
The brothers depart the next morning. Joseph again places money in each bag beside the grain, but adds a silver goblet into Benjamin’s.
Joseph sends his steward to accuse his brothers of theft. They return to Joseph and Judah pleads with him.
Question:
The last time we encounter the brothers as a group, they sold Joseph into slavery. Meanwhile, Joseph experiences extreme highs and lows (sold to slavery, ran Potiphar’s household, thrown into jail, and made second-in-command to Pharaoh). We observe his coming-of-age arc, from a naïve, conceited boy to a powerful, crafty ruler. At what point(s) in the story does that transition take place? Can you point to a single moment in your own life where you made a dramatic step-change in your maturity?
Bonus: why did Joseph choose Shimon to stay in jail?