Daily Chumash & Rashi – Mikeitz Rishon Pharaohs dreams (Sunday, 24th Kisleiv)

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Parshas Mikeitz

Pesukim: 146 [Siman: יחזקיהו]

Haftorah: Melachim 1 3:15-4:1


Number of Mitzvos:

There are no Positive or Negative commands mentioned in Parshas Mikeitz.


 

Rishon

  1. Pharaohs dreams:
  • The first dream: After two years [of Yosef’s imprisonment], Pharaoh had a dream in which he saw himself standing by the Nile. He saw seven beautiful and healthy-looking cows, which were grazing in the land. Seven other cows came out after them, from the Nile. These cows looked very bad, and were thin. They stood next to the [other] seven cows, by the bank of the river. The seven bad and thin looking cows then proceeded to consume the seven good looking and fat cows. Pharaoh then awakened.
    • The second dream: Pharaoh fell back asleep and dreamt another dream. He saw seven healthy and good-looking ears of grain sprouting out from one stalk. He also saw seven thin and withered looking ears of grain, due to the east wind, grow after them. The seven thin looking ears of grain then proceeded to consume the seven healthy and fat looking ears of grain. Pharaoh then awakened, and the dream was [complete].
    • Pharaoh seeks an interpretation of the dream: In the morning, Pharaoh was disturbed, and he summoned all the sorcerers of Egypt and their sages to interpret the dream, and they were unable to do so for him.
    • The Sar Hamashkin [butler] suggests to Pharaoh to summon Yosef to interpret the dream: The chief butler spoke to Pharaoh and mentioned to him the sin that he had once committed against the king and how he was thrown in prison. He told Pharaoh of the entire encounter that occurred in the prison with his dreams, and the dreams of the head baker, and how Yosef accurately interpreted them. “There was a Hebrew lad in the prison, who was a slave to the chief butcher. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted our dreams. Just as he interpreted, so took place, as I was reinstated to my position, while the chief baker was hung.”
    • Pharaoh summons Yosef: Pharaoh sent messengers to summon Yosef. Yosef was removed from the pit. He received a haircut and changed his clothing, and then came to Pharaoh.
  1. What does the word “מִקֵּץ” mean according to Rashi?

Answer: Rashi explains that “מִקֵּץ” means “at the end,” as Onkelos translates it: מִסּוֹף. Every use of the word קֵץ in Scripture refers to an end or conclusion.

 

  1. Why is the Nile called יְאֹר and not other rivers?

Answer: Rashi says only the Nile is called יְאֹר because Egypt depends on it for irrigation. Rain does not fall regularly in Egypt, so the Nile overflows into man-made canals (יְאוֹרִים) to water the land.

 

  1. What do the seven good-looking cows symbolize?

Answer: They represent years of plenty, when people appear healthy and favorable to one another, and there is no jealousy over wealth.

 

  1. What is the meaning of “בָּאָחוּ” and why does Rashi mention Old French?

Answer: “בָּאָחוּ” means “in the marsh.” Rashi adds the Old French word “maresc” to help his audience understand the term, as he often uses vernacular glosses for clarity.

 

  1. Why were Pharaoh’s advisors unable to interpret the dreams “to Pharaoh”?

Answer: They did offer interpretations, but Pharaoh did not accept them because they were unsatisfactory (e.g., “You will have seven daughters and bury seven daughters”). He sensed the dreams had deeper meaning.

 

  1. Why does the cupbearer describe Joseph as “a youth, a Hebrew, a servant”?

Answer: Rashi notes this shows the cupbearer’s disparaging tone. He emphasizes Joseph’s low status—immature, foreign, and a servant—because even when the wicked do good, it is incomplete.

 

  1. What is the significance of Joseph shaving before meeting Pharaoh?

Answer: Rashi explains Joseph shaved out of respect for the king. This shows the importance of proper appearance when approaching royalty.

 

  1. What does “וַתִּפָּעֶם רוּחוֹ” mean?

Answer: Rashi explains it means “his spirit was agitated,” as Onkelos translates: וּמִטַּרְפָא רוּחֵהּ. It beat within him like a bell (פַּעֲמוֹן).

 

  1. Why does Rashi compare Pharaoh’s agitation to Nebuchadnezzar’s?

Answer: Because Nebuchadnezzar was disturbed for two reasons: forgetting the dream and not knowing its interpretation. Pharaoh remembered the dream but didn’t know its meaning.

 

  1. What is the origin of the word “חַרְטֻמֵּי” (necromancers)?

Answer: Rashi says it comes from הַנֶּחֱרִים בְּטִימֵי מֵתִים—those who consult bones of the dead. טִימֵי means “bones” in Aramaic.

 

  1. Why were Pharaoh’s interpretations unsatisfactory to him?

Answer: They suggested personal matters (e.g., daughters born and buried), but Pharaoh sensed the dreams concerned national events.

 

  1. What does “אִישׁ כְּפִתְרוֹן חֲלֹמוֹ” mean?

Answer: Each dream matched its interpretation—what Joseph explained came true exactly as predicted.

 

  1. Why does Rashi criticize the cupbearer’s description of Joseph?

Answer: Because he belittled Joseph by calling him a youth, a Hebrew, and a servant—showing even good deeds by the wicked are flawed.

 

  1. What does “מִן־הַבּוֹר” mean?

Answer: Literally “from the pit,” meaning from prison, which was like a hole in the ground.

 

  1. Why does Rashi explain “וַיְגַלַּח” (he shaved)?

Answer: To show Joseph prepared respectfully for Pharaoh, teaching the importance of proper appearance before authority.

 

  1. What does Rashi say about “בְּקָנֶה אֶחָד” (on one stalk)?

Answer: He explains it means all seven ears grew on one stalk, using Old French “tudel” for clarity.

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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