Maury Povich’s Parsha
Friday, November 30th, 2007
Archive for the ‘Va-yeishev וישב’ Category
In dreams begin responsibility
Wednesday, December 13th, 2006This week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, begins the “Joseph novella” — the surprisingly lengthy story of Joseph, which sets in motion the Israelites’ presence in Egypt, which in turn is a precursor to the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. It’s a beautifully cylical story; just like the Israelite people, Joseph has to go down in order to be lifted up.
Twice in this week’s Torah portion, Joseph is cast down into dire circumstances. First his brothers cast him into a pit, and sell him into slavery; later, after he’s worked his way up the Egyptian status ladder, Potiphar’s wife frames him and he is thrown into prison.
The first downfall comes about, in a sense, because of Joseph’s dream interpretations. He has two dreams of dominance — one, that his brothers’ sheaves of wheat bow down to his; the other, that the moon and sun and stars all bow down to him — and these raise his brothers’ ire so strongly that they plot against him. (more…)