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This story has a fascinating parallel, more than a thousand years later, in the life of the Jewish courtier, Daniel. He too was exiled from his land as a captive. Due to his ability to interpret the dreams of the ruler (Nevuchadnetzar), he obtained a high stature. While we will not go into detail about other similarities between Yosef and Daniel, we will look at a fundamental difference between them.
While Yosef started his "dream career" as a dreamer and continued as a dream interpreter, Daniel started as an interpreter and only later in Sefer Daniel do we see him having prophetic dreams (until chapter 5, he interpreted dreams; in chapter 6, he stood the moral test and was thrown into the lion’s den; from chapter 7 and on, he tells his prophecies.). The more logical order is that of Daniel, to rise from the lower level of interpreting to the higher level of receiving prophecy. Why, then, does Yosef go in the opposite direction?
It would seem that the answer is that power and dominion are liable to be spiritually destructive. This is one of the biggest problems that mankind has had to deal with throughout history. Yosef should not have allowed his dreams, even if they were prophetic in nature, to cause a situation where his brothers hated him because they felt he wanted them to bow down before him. This is as the brothers complained to him: "Will you be king over us or rule us" (Bereishit 37:8). In the dream, not only did his brothers bow down to him, but so did even his parents and, perhaps, the entire universe. Therefore, it is no surprise that his adoring father joined in the criticism of Yosef. In the dreams and their presentation there is not even a mention of Hashem as the one who gives man dominion. This apparent haughtiness is what Chazal refer to elsewhere as silsul b’sa’aro (lit., playing with his hair). This is one of the things that brought Yosef down to the level of a dream interpreter. Yosef learned the lesson to the fullest degree and openly told the dreamers: "Alas, Hashem has the solutions" (ibid. 40:8) and "It is not from me; Hashem will answer the peace of Pharaoh" (ibid. 41:16).
May we merit having leaders who understand that their stature is from Hashem and view themselves as servants of the people (as Rav Kook said and practiced) instead of rulers over them.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
