2024/5785
In this week's Parashah, Parashat Mikeitz the Torah begins recounting Paroh’s dreams and it says that Paroh was standing on the water “ViHenei Omed Al HaYe’or”, yet when recounting the dream to Yosef he changes is to “Al Shefat HaYe’or” that he standing on the bank of the river. So why does Paroh lie and give Yosef a false narrative?
I think this illustrates an insight into Egyptian society: the Nile was worshipped by Egyptians because its water sustained the country, but for Paroh this reverence only lasted as long as it suited him. Once this conflicted with his own personal interest he would stop respecting the Nile. Although he honored the Nile he remained standing over and above it dictating the terms of his loyalty. Naturally, Paroh never publicized these thoughts but they appeared in the dream in the form of him standing on the Nile. However when Paroh repeats the dream to Yosef he switches it to the river bank to conceal his heretical attitude.
In contrast we see how Yosef never took any credit for himself and always directed it to Hashem. When interpreting the dream Yosef gives credit to Hashem. Time and time again all of Yosef’s achievements in Egypt he gives credit to Hashem and illustrates that by having Emunah in Hashem that He can do anything for us. Additionally, the one time we see a lack of Emunah from Yosef is when he asks the Sar HaMashkim to remember him and the Meforshim say that Yosef gets punished. This depicts the idea that Jews don't stand on the “Nile” even when it conflicts with personal interest we still have Emunah.