Parashat Miketz (Genesis 41:1 - 44:17)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

In Parashat Mikketz, Genesis 41:1 - 44:17, Joseph goes from being a prisoner, wrongly accused, to the Vice-Pharaoh. It all happens so quickly it must have made his make-up covered eyes bug out! We never hear about what the Egyptian people must of thought of his rise but we can be quite certain that his good decisions were appreciated by Pharaoh and ultimately by the Jewish people. Oh and by the way, Happy Hanukkah.

When Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams he attributes both the interpretation and the result to God. Do you think Pharaoh cared about the God connection in all of this? Pharaoh was not Jewish, why does Joseph keep repeating God's name over and over to Pharaoh?
In 41:33 Joseph says, "Now let Pharaoh appoint a discreet and wise man over Egypt." Do you think he was thinking about himself? He goes on to tell Pharaoh to collect up all the food and store it away for the seven bad years. Since Joseph gave Pharaoh the plan did Pharaoh really have to appoint Joseph? Why do you think he did appoint Joseph? Did it help that Joseph was not Egyptian?
Joseph names his first son Menasseh because "God has made me forget all of my hard work and my father's house (Ch.41:51)" What does that mean? Does this name remember something good or bad or both?
Joseph names his second son Ephraim because, "God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction (Ch. 41:52)." Again, was he remembering something good or bad? Why do you think we use the names of these two boys when we bless our sons on Friday night?
I have always taught that if you truly believe in God there is not such thing as coincidence. First of all, do you agree with me? Why or why not? If you do, then why is it that this parasha always comes up during Hanukkah time? What is the connection between this parasha and Hanuakkah?