Miketz: Life Is All About Perspective

In the beginning of Parshat Mikeitz, Yosef is pulled from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Not only does he uncover the prophecy of famine for Egypt, but he suggests a solution as well¹. Pharaoh is impressed with the interpretation and solution that Yosef presented, and eventually promotes him to viceroy of Egypt. It was seemingly somewhat bold of Yosef, a simple Jewish slave, and convict, no less, to include his own “two cents” among his interpretations. However, upon further examination, much can be gleaned from Yosef’s addition to the prophecy. 

When Yosef presented his economic theory, so to speak, he wasn’t offering unsolicited advice to Pharaoh. Rather, this solution was an aspect of his dream interpretation. Meaning this solution was hinted to in the dream itself. Two sources for this solution are found within Pharaoh’s dreams. The first is in the very beginning of the dream, in a line seemingly given only for visualization purposes. The pasuk² describes Pharaoh in his dream as “standing over the Nile.” Yosef was able to discern from this that in the time of famine, Pharaoh must assume the role of the Nile as provider of sustenance for the people of Egypt. By placing him over the Nile in the dream, Hashem was exhorting Pharaoh to provide food for his country when the Nile does not³.

Another source for Yosef’s advice is found in the link between Pharaoh’s dreams. Two dreams are described, in between which Pharaoh woke up. However, after the second dream, the pasuk tells us that Pharaoh awoke, “and behold it was a dream,” with the word “dream” in singular. Through this, many commentators conclude that Pharaoh had only one dream that night. Both dreams, and his awakening inbetween, were one long dream. Yosef interpreted Pharaoh “waking up” to mean that Pharaoh must take action. He must “wake up” and prepare for the challenging upcoming years. However, another aspect of Yosef’s advice is contained in this part of Pharaoh’s dream. After dreaming about waking up, Pharaoh dreams that he went back to sleep again. Yosef interpreted this to mean that Pharoah does not need to remain busy with these efforts throughout the seven years of famine. All he must do is appoint officers to oversee the project. Once a system is in place, he could rest easy and “go back to sleep,” as it were. Indeed, the conflict, proposed solution, and eventual resolution were all prophesied within the same dream⁴.

A dream, according to the Gemara, is a 60th of prophecy. The same way that the practical meaning of a prophetic dream will follow its interpretation, a prophecy will play out in the way that the Navi interprets it

The Gemara learns from this situation that dreams will follow their interpretations⁵. Meaning, some dreams can have multiple explanations, and the actual meaning of the dream will align with whichever explanation the interpreter chooses. Yosef’s reading of a solution within the dream allowed for the solution to be part of the prophecy. In a way, Yosef’s positive interpretation brought about a positive outcome. 

Nevuah works the same way, on an even larger scale, in fact. A dream, according to the Gemara, is a 60th of prophecy. The same way that the practical meaning of a prophetic dream will follow its interpretation, a prophecy will play out in the way that the Navi interprets it. A prime example of this is found in Sefer Melachim II⁶. While renovating the Beit Hamikdash, a Torah scroll is found, unrolled to the section of the Klalot – the curses that befall the Jewish people if they arouse Hashem’s anger. Yoshiyahu, the king at the time, sends Chizkia, the Kohen Gadol, to a Navi to interpret this omen. The Navi that Chizkia and his men choose is Chulda Hanevia. Chulda was not the nation’s only prophet at the time. Chizkia could easily have gone to Yirmiyahu or another Navi who lived during this time period, yet he chose Chulda. Rashi⁷, among other commentaries, explains that Chulda was chosen for her womanly nature of mercy and kindness. Being female, Chulda was more likely to take a softer, kinder interpretation, while her male counterparts would likely have been harsher in their explanation. Indeed, while Chulda’s prophecy did tell of Galut and Churban, she also included an element of “silver lining”, so to speak. 

The Rambam⁸ says that while a negative prophecy can be rescinded, a positive one cannot. A negative prophecy can be nullified through teshuva or mitzvot, but a promise of bracha from Hashem will never go unfulfilled. When Yosef added a positive spin to his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, he was essentially guaranteeing prosperity for Egypt, even during the prophesied famine. 

Today, these principles of prophecy are seemingly irrelevant. We no longer have this form of direct communication with Hashem, and dreams have been relegated to a mere jumble of past thoughts and experiences. However, we do receive hidden messages from Hashem in the form of Hashgacha Pratit, divine intervention. Our life circumstances, the people we encounter, the situations we find ourselves in… all of these things carry messages for us. Our job is to interpret these signs and find the word of Hashem hidden there. However, like dreams or prophecy, one event can have many interpretations, and the actual explanation relies heavily on our outlook. If we choose a negative interpretation, we will find ourselves surrounded with negativity. But if we choose to see the world with a positive view, every happening that befalls us can contain a message of bracha from Hashem. 

This is precisely the middah of Ayin Tova, a “good eye”. Choosing to “interpret” the world around us in a positive light will not only fill our interpersonal worlds with a kind view of others, but can also alleviate personal suffering as well. If a person is faced with some form of hardship, they are faced with a choice. They can choose to interpret negatively, and view their situation as a curse from Hashem. They can also choose to ignore the choice completely, and fail to view their circumstances as a message from Hashem. Alternatively, they can look for the rays of light in their darkness and see their troubles as an opportunity for growth. Whichever view one chooses, the reality will follow suit. The negative interpreter will forever feel cursed, and the one who ignores the message will feel alone and abandoned. However, if one interprets his personal “prophecies” in a positive light, their life will be filled with the self-same positivity.

¹ Bereishit 41:33

² Bereishit 41:1

³ Bnei Yissaschar, quoted by R’ Immanuel Bernstein in “Dimensions in Chumash” vol. I, p. 230

⁴ Dimensions in Chumash, vol. I, p. 232

⁵ Brachot 55b

⁶ Melachim II 22:14

⁷ ibid.

⁸ Yesodei Hatorah 10