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During this holiday of Chanuka, we recite at least four times a day, "On the miracles … in those days at this time." In this week’s parasha, we also read about what happened "at the end of two years of days" (shnatayim yamim - Bereishit 41:1), which is the introduction to the time of Paroh’s dreams and Yosef’s ascension to power.
The Ibn Ezra (ad loc.) points out that we are not told exactly where the starting point of the two-year count is. He then brings several places in Tanach in which it similarly refers to a passing of time and it is unclear from when. He also raises the issue of what yamim (days of) means in the context of years. The Ibn Ezra suggests that the two years are from the time that the sar hamashkim left jail, in accordance with Yosef’s interpretation of his dream. This fits well with an opinion in Chazal that Yosef was in jail for a total of twelve years (Seder Olam Rabba 2). We add to that the statement of Chazal that Yosef had to wait an extra two years to leave jail because he put his trust in the sar hamashkim (Bereishit Rabba 89:3). According to these accounts, taken together, Yosef had been in jail for ten years before his dealings with the sar hamashkim. Stressing the two years from the sar hamashkim story as opposed to the whole period in jail teaches a lesson in the need to trust in Hashem.
Another possibility raised by the Ibn Ezra is that the two years were his entire stay in prison. In that case, there is no indication that Yosef stayed there longer because of his interaction with the sar hamashkim.
According to both approaches, why did Divine Providence arrange that Yosef had to spend time in prison? According to Rashi (based on Sota 36b), Yosef had a thought of sinning with Potiphar’s wife. With such a great tzaddik as Yosef, Hashem is apt to be demanding and hold him to shortcomings of the "width of a strand of hair." Thus, Yosef could have been punished for a mere thought, and this can be the lesson of the time behind bars.
We hope to develop this idea in the weeks to come. In the meantime we thank Hashem for the miracles that occurred in these time in those days.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
