Daily Chumash & Rashi Mikeitz Sheiyni: Yosef’s interpretation of Pharaohs dream (Monday, 25th Kisleiv)

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Sheiyni

  1. Yosef’s interpretation:
    • Pharaoh tells his dreams to Yosef: Pharaoh told Yosef of his dream and how no one could interpret it properly, and he is thus asking him to interpret it, as he heard that Yosef knows to interpret dreams. Yosef replied that it is not he who can interpret dreams, but G-d. Pharaoh then retold the dream to Yosef in all its detail. He added that after seeing the thin unhealthy cows eat the healthy fat cows, their appearance remained the same, thin and unhealthy.
    • The interpretation: Yosef told Pharaoh that both dreams are in truth a single [message] from G-d, who is forewarning Pharaoh of the future occurrences. The seven good looking cows and ears of corn represent seven years, and it is all one dream. The seven bad looking cows and ears of corn are seven bad years of starvation and famine. Hashem is foretelling Pharaoh that the coming seven years will be years of enormous wealth of produce in all of Egypt. After those years there will be seven years of severe hunger, which will cause the seven years of plenty to be erased from memory. The famine will destroy the land. The reason the dreams were repeated, is because G-d is telling Pharaoh that these years will come speedily.
    • Yosef’s advice to Pharaoh: After interpreting the dream, Yosef then advised Pharaoh what should be done to deal with the years of famine. “Pharaoh should see to appoint a wise man over the land of Egypt, who will appoint officials over the land and prepare it during these seven years of plenty. All the food of the years of plenty are to be stored and guarded under the hand of Pharaoh, within the various cities. The food will serve as a reserve for the seven years of famine, in order so the earth not be destroyed in hunger.”
    • Pharaoh’s satisfaction with the interpretation and advice: The matter pleased Pharaoh and his servants, and he exclaimed to them “Is there any man as wise as him, who carries the spirit of G-d”

Q&A on Rashi’s commentary for Bereshit (Genesis) 41:15–38

Q1: What does Pharaoh mean by “תִּשְׁמַע חֲלוֹם לִפְתֹּר אֹתוֹ” (you listen to a dream to interpret it)?

A: Rashi explains that תִּשְׁמַע here means “understanding and listening carefully,” similar to “Yosef understood (שֹׁמֵעַ)” and “a nation whose language you will not understand (תִשְׁמַע).”

 

Q2: How does Yosef respond to Pharaoh’s claim that he can interpret dreams?

A: Yosef says, בִּלְעָדָי—“It is not by me.” The wisdom is not his own; rather, G‑d will provide the answer for Pharaoh’s welfare.

 

Q3: Why were there two dreams instead of one?

A: Rashi explains that both dreams are one message: seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. The repetition shows the matter is urgent and ready to happen soon.

 

Q4: What is the meaning of “דַּלּוֹת” and “וְרַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר” in Pharaoh’s description of the cows?

A:

  • דַּלּוֹת means “lean,” as in “Why are you so thin (דַּל)?”
  • וְרַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר means “deficient in flesh,” i.e., emaciated.

 

Q5: What does “צְנֻמוֹת” (shrivelled ears) mean?

A: Rashi explains it means “like wood without moisture, as hard as rock.” Onkelos translates it as “נָצָן לָקְיָן”—empty of kernels, only the bud remains.

 

Q6: Why does Yosef say “G‑d has told Pharaoh” for the good years but “G‑d has shown Pharaoh” for the famine?

A: Because the good years are near, so “telling” is used; the famine is distant, so “showing” is appropriate.

 

Q7: What is the interpretation of the cows swallowing each other and it not being apparent?

A: Rashi says this symbolizes that the abundance will be forgotten during the famine and will not be discernible because the famine will be severe.

 

Q8: What does “נָכוֹן” mean in “the matter stands ready before G‑d”?

A: It means “ready”—the decree is fixed and will happen quickly.

 

Q9: What does “וְחִמֵּשׁ” mean in Yosef’s advice to Pharaoh?

A: Rashi explains it means “equip” or “prepare,” as Onkelos translates: וִיזָרְזוּן. It’s similar to “armed” (וַחֲמֻשִׁים).

 

Q10: Why does Pharaoh say, “Could we find another man like this, who has the spirit of G‑d within him?”

A: Rashi explains the phrase הֲנִמְצָא כָזֶה means “Would we find another like him if we searched?”—expressing amazement at Yosef’s wisdom and divine inspiration.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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