In the beginning of this week’s parsha, Parshat Mikeitz, Pharaoh has two dreams. Pharaoh awakes perturbed and seeks interpretations for these dreams. His advisors are unsuccessful in helping him until the Sar Hamashkim, the butler, remembers Yosef who had previously interpreted his dream while in jail. Yosef is taken out of jail, cleaned up and brought before Pharaoh. Pharaoh tells Yosef that he has a dream that needs interpretation. Yosef’s first response is “ בִּלְעָדָ֑י אֱלֹקים יַעֲנֶ֖ה אֶת־שְׁל֥וֹם פַּרְעֹֽה”. “It is not me, Yosef, rather it is God, who will take care of Pharaoh’s welfare.” Yosef is humble, selfless and puts his ego aside. 

After Pharaoh relays his dreams to Yosef, Yosef again invokes God’s name. He does so yet again before he gives over the interpretation about the years of plenty and again when describing the years of famine. Yosef mentions God’s name at least 5 times in this short encounter! Yosef wants to be very clear that this is all coming from God. He is able to acknowledge that this ability to explain Pharaoh’s dreams is not some amazing talent of his but rather directly from God. Even Pharaoh himself is able to recognize this as he says “ הֲנִמְצָ֣א כָזֶ֔ה אִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֛ר ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹקים בּֽוֹ” describing Yosef as a person who has the Divine spirit in him. When appointing him in charge, Pharaoh again says that since God told you all of this, you will now carry it out. It is amazing that even Pharaoh can understand that Yosef is just the messenger of God. 

The multiple uses of God’s name in this conversation by Yosef is surprising! Is this the same Yosef we know from the previous Parshiot? Is this the Yosef who appeared immature as he tattled to his father? The Yosef who boasted about his dreams to his brothers inciting jealousy? Is this the Yosef who lands himself in trouble in Egypt and ultimately in jail?! Rashi notes at the end of last week’s Parsha that Yosef is penalized for putting his trust in the Sar Hamashkim to help save him from jail. He is criticized for not relying completely on God. 

Two years later, in our Parsha, there is a new Yosef. This is a more mature Yosef who is constantly invoking God’s name! He is humble and admits in front of Pharaoh that he cannot take the credit for what he says. He recognizes that it is not his own talents, but it is all coming from God. In this short section of the Parsha, Yosef demonstrates his ability to put his ego aside. This is an important lesson for all of us. Our society constantly emphasizes and puts the spotlight on ourselves. We consistently see messages on social media that focus on self- promotion and self- aggrandizement. Yosef’s frequent invocation of God’s name reminds us to give credit where it is due -to God for giving us all of our talents and abilities. 

Additionally, Yosef is able to use God’s name while talking to Pharaoh in Egypt! He is not with his father Yaakov or amongst his family in Eretz Cana’an. He is in exile! He is alone! Yet, even there, Yosef is able to remember and remain connected to God. Even as he is promoted to viceroy, Yosef continues to stay true to his roots. This is evident when he names his two children, Menashe and Ephraim, again referring to God in the meaning behind their names. Yosef symbolizes what a Jew should be in Galut. We can take this message to heart as well. As Jews living in Galut, we should strive to emulate Yosef in staying steadfast to our connection to Torah and mitzvot. We should continue to refer to God frequently. Hopefully, our fervent tefillot for Mashiach will be answered quickly bringing an end to this Galut and heralding in the ultimate Geulah. 

Shabbat Shalom and Chanukah Sameach!