PARASHA 010 MAIN PAGE
010 B’resheet/Genesis
Miketz which means "the end." 41:1–44:17
Joseph’s imprisonment finally ends when Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows
that are swallowed up by seven lean cows, and of seven fat ears of grain
swallowed by seven lean ears. Joseph interprets the dreams to mean that
seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of hunger, and
advises Pharaoh to store grain during the plentiful years. Pharaoh
appoints Joseph governor of Egypt. Joseph marries Asenath, daughter of
Potiphar, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
Famine spreads throughout the region, and food can be obtained only in
Egypt. Ten of Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to purchase grain; the
youngest, Benjamin, stays home, for Jacob fears for his safety. Joseph
recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him; he accuses them
of being spies, insists that they bring Benjamin to prove that they are
who they say they are, and imprisons Simeon as a hostage. Later, they
discover that the money they paid for their provisions has been
mysteriously returned to them.
Jacob agrees to send Benjamin only after Judah assumes personal and
eternal responsibility for him. This time Joseph receives them kindly,
releases Simeon, and invites them to an eventful dinner at his home. But
then he plants his silver goblet, purportedly imbued with magic powers,
in Benjamin’s sack. When the brothers set out for home the next morning,
they are pursued, searched, and arrested when the goblet is discovered.
Joseph offers to set them free and retain only Benjamin as his slave.
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