(2010/5771)

When Paroh summons Yosef to interpret his dreams, Paroh states, “Chalom Chalamti UPhoteir Ein Oto, VaAni Shamati Alecha Leimor Tishma Chalom Liphtor Oto,” “I dreamt a dream, but there is no one who can interpret it. I heard it said of you that you hear a dream to interpret it” (BeReishit 41:15). Yosef responds by saying, “Biladai Elokim Yaaneh Et Shelom Paroh,” ”That is beyond me! Hashem will respond to Paroh's welfare” (41:16). Rashi (41:16 s.v. Biladai) notes that Yosef implies, “Yitein Anayah BePhi,” “He (Hashem) will put an answer into my mouth.” It is truly amazing that when Yosef stands before Paroh, the leader of the superpower of the world at that time, he risks all his chances of greatness by revealing the truth of Hashem’s support and guidance.

After Yosef finishes interpreting Paroh’s dream, Yosef boldly offers Paroh some advice for the upcoming years of plenty and famine: “VeAtah Yeire Pharoh Ish Navon VeChacham ViYshiteihu Al Eretz Mitzrayim … VeYikbetzu Et Kol Ochel HaShanim HaTovot … VeHayah HaOchel LePhikadon LaAretz LeSheva Shenei HaRaav,” “Now, let Paroh appoint a wise and understanding person over the Land of Egypt … [to] gather the food from the good years … and the food will be kept for the land, for the seven years of famine” (41:33-36). Here, Yosef appears to portray a very different attitude by seemingly relying on Paroh, not Hashem, to assist him.

A very similar series of dialogues occurs in last week’s Parashah, when Yosef interprets the dreams of the Sar HaMashkim and the Sar HaOfim. Yosef says to them, “HaLo LEilokim Pitronim,” “Do not interpretations belong to Hashem?” (40:8). After he hears the Sar HaMashkim’s dream and relates its interpretations, he tells the Sar HaMashkim, “Ki Im Zechartani Ittecha KaAsher Yitav Lach VeAsita Na Imadi Chassed VeHizkartani El Paroh VeHotzeitani Min HaBayit HaZeh,” “If only you would think of me when you will have benefited, and you would do me a kindness, if you please, and you would mention me to Paroh, then you would get me out of this building” (40:14).

In both of these instances, the dialogue with Paroh as well as the dialogue with the Sar HaMashkim, Yosef rightfully and appropriately gives credit to Hashem in that his ability to interpret dreams is solely due to Hashem’s guidance. However, after the interpretations, in both scenarios, Yosef boldly makes a request from the person to whom he gave the interpretation.

Through these dialogues, one can see the secret to Yosef’s success. He maintains the critical balance between acknowledging that Hashem is in control of everything and knowing that it is also crucial for one to recognize the importance of adding his own Hishtadlut.

The same parallels exist regarding Matityahu and the Chashmona’im in the Chanukah story. It is clear that they are the “underdogs,” as we say in Al HaNisim during Shemoneh Esreih, “Masarta Giborim BeYad Chalashim VeRabim BeYad Me’atim,” “You gave strong ones into the hands of weak ones, many into the hands of few”; however, despite the drastic odds, they have Bitachon in HaKadosh Baruch Hu, put forth the proper Hishtadlut, and are thus ultimately victorious.

Only if we learn from Yosef and the Chashmonaim, recognizing Hashem’s role in everything in addition to knowing that we must do our part in everything, will we merit our own Ge’ulah BiMheirah VeYameinu.