ISO Discernment and Wisdom

Mikketz

Genesis 41:1-44:17

Précis: At the end (mikketz) of two years of Joseph’s imprisonment, Pharaoh dreams of cows and ears of corn. The wine steward who had shared Joseph’s cell now remembers him and calls him from prison. Joseph predicts seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh is so impressed that he appoints Joseph as his chief vizier and Joseph goes about storing grain during the times of plenty. Joseph marries Asenath and they have two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. When the famine comes, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to purchase food. Joseph has them brought in while he remains in cognito. Joseph accuses the brothers of spying, and sends them home after they promise to return with their youngest brother, Benjamin. Upon their return, the brothers (including Benjamin) meet the still-revealed Joseph. Joseph has their bags filled not only with grain but also with the money used to purchase the grain and has a gold cup hidden in Benjamin’s belongings. When they are “caught” by Joseph’s men, they learn that whoever stole the cup would become Joseph’s slave, while the others return to their homeland. On this cliffhanger, the parasha ends.

Genesis 41:33-36   “’Now let Pharaoh find a man of discernment and wisdom, and set him over the land of Egypt...and… organize the land of Egypt in the seven years of plenty. Let all the food of the good years that are coming be gathered, and let… that food be a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will come.’”

            Pharaoh’s dreams cannot be explained by his courtiers, and so Joseph is recalled from prison. Joseph foretells seven years of plenty, followed by seven of famine; he suggests that Pharaoh appoint a man of discernment and wisdom ("navon ve-hakham") to see Egypt through the ensuing years. Why two attributes? Ramban suggests that these terms relate to distinct kinds of learning: (1) the ability to set goals and (2) how to apply knowledge to achieve those goals.

Leadership is more than the exercise of power; it also requires knowledge that can be applied properly and thoughtfully to appropriate circumstances.

The United States now faces a “fiscal cliff” and our economic future is uncertain. Israel has a temporary truce with Hamas and faces threats from all sides; the correct course of action to take appears unclear.

In both nations, we can hope that leaders of all parties and factions can come together and display the kind of discernment (through mutual goal setting) that Joseph demonstrated when he warned of the need to save surplus grain for seven years. We can pray that our leaders display the kind of wisdom Joseph showed to find ways to achieve the goals we so desperately seek.

Unfortunately, we do not seem to have a modern-day Joseph in either the United States nor in Israel who can stand up and make Joseph-like pronouncements. We have leaders in both nations who are seeking what is best, in their eyes, for each nation. Whether they can overcome the obstacles they face and attain real wisdom remains to be seen. During this celebration of Hanukah, we recall that a “great miracle happened there.” Miracles can still happen, both here and there.