Miketz (Genesis 41:1 - 44:17)

The portion is named "Miketz" , literally "at the end of", because it continues the story
told in the previous portion with a two year gap - Joseph has been in the Egyptian jail for these two years, and only now do we rejoin his story.

This week's portion begins with Pharaoh's dreams, an event which takes place two years after Joseph solved the baker and cupbearer's dreams. Joseph has been in jail, while the cupbearer forgot to mention his to Pharaoh. However, now, Pharaoh has had two strange dreams in one night, and none of the Egyptians know how to solve them. In the first he saw seven fat cows by the Nile who were eaten by seven skinny cows. In the second, seven plump ears of grain were devoured by seven thin ears of grain. After Pharaoh tells his advisors about his dreams, the cupbearer remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh about him. Joseph is rushed from jail in order to come before Pharaoh.

Joseph indeed does know how to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, and explains that there are going to be seven prosperous years in Egypt, followed by seven years of hunger. He suggests hording grain throughout the land during the seven good years in order to be able to sustain the people during the seven bad years. Pharaoh and his advisors are impressed, and Joseph is appointed in charge of Pharaoh's house and the plan of collecting the grain.

During the seven good years, Joseph marries and is borne two children: Ephraim and Manasseh. He is successful in collecting grain and when the famine comes, the Egyptians have all they need. All the people of surrounding countries begin to come down to Egypt in order to receive food.

The next part of the portion is extremely dramatic, telling us of how Jacob sends his sons down to Egypt in order to break bread. Jacob's ten older sons, without Benjamin, come to Egypt and are brought before Joseph, whom they do not recognize. Joseph accuses them of being spies, and when they tell him about their family, he says that he will believe them only when they bring their younger brother before him. He takes Simeon and imprisons him as collateral for Benjamin. The brothers realize that this punishment is due to them because they sold Joseph, but they do not know that Joseph understands what they are saying. When returning to Canaan, without Simeon, they discover that the money with which they paid for the food was returned to their packs and are very fearful.

When the brothers tell Jacob of what happened, he is extremely upset, and refuses to send them down with Benjamin, fearful that something may happen to him. However, when food is scarce again, he agrees to send Benjamin, after Judah promises that he will be surety for Benjamin and make sure that he returns in peace.

When the brothers arrive in Egypt, they first fearfully tell of how their money was returned to them. Joseph tells them that his was a gift from their God, and that they should not fear. When Joseph sees Benjamin, he cannot help himself, and quickly retires, crying, to another room. He then gives the brothers a meal, and gives them grain to take with them. He orders his servants to place his silver goblet in Benjamin's pack. After the brothers leave, he sends his servants to run after them, accusing them of stealing his goblet. The portion ends in the peak of the drama, when the goblet is found in Benjamin's pack and the brothers realize that he will be detained. The brothers tell Joseph that they will all be his slaves, but he refuses and says he would not take the brothers for a crime that is not theirs, but will only detain Benjamin.

It is important to note that MiKetz is always the weekly portion of the Sabbath which occurs during the Chanukah festival.This week's portion begins with Jacob returning to Canaan. Jacob is fearful that Esau is still angry about his stealing the blessing of the first born, and sends messengers to his brother, hoping to please him. Jacob then hears that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men, and fears that Esau intends to fight him. He divides his party in two, hoping that this way at least part of his family will be saved if attacked, and prays to God. Jacob sends his shepherds out with many gifts for Esau, hoping that at least one of them will run into Esau and give him the gifts.