Parshat Miketz - Soulmates

Read this in the Jewish Star or right here
Parsha: Pharaoh finds a soul mate
Parshat Miketz
by Rabbi Avi Billet
Issue of December 18, 2009/ 1 Tevet 5770
On the eve of his birthday the Egyptian monarch has two dreams that vex and try his sanity. “In the morning he was very upset. He sent word, summoning all the symbolists and wise men of Egypt. Paroh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could provide a satisfactory interpretation.” (41:8) (Shadal notes that his dreams take place exactly two years after his birthday party of 40:20.)
Rashi quotes the Midrash that his interpreters gave all sorts of interpretations surrounding the number seven, but none was satisfactory to him.
If Paroh employed so many interpreters, and if their magical powers were uninspiring to Paroh, what made Yosef’s interpretation so acceptable? Why would his attempt make Paroh flip the table so drastically so as to turn a slave into the second in command of all Egypt?
Imagine someone in the mailroom coming up with a single good idea, only to be named CEO within five minutes. In most cases, even if the boss appreciates the contribution, the most the employee could reasonably expect is a nice bonus. Maybe he’ll get a promotion. But the owner of the company is not likely to place the inexperienced mail sorter in the top rank of the company!
Nechama Leibowitz quotes a Midrash in which Paroh says, “Just as I saw the dream, so I saw its interpretation.” Similarly, Sekhel Tov records, “He was immediately reminded of the interpretation of the dream, that this was as Joseph had interpreted. He had forgotten it, but now remembered.”
In other words, Paroh was intuitively aware of the correct interpretation to his dreams. He merely needed to hear it presented to him the way he knew it to be true, in order for his take on the situation to be confirmed.
In this light, perhaps when Yosef came along and presented the truth to Paroh, he was no longer a slave-prisoner, parallel to the mailroom sorter of our parable (no, I am not equating the two), but he became an extremely close confidant to Paroh.
Paroh saw in him a person with whom he had a naturally close kinship. Not only could he hear the king out and understand his innermost thoughts, but he could also provide a plan of action in line with the king’s plans and needs for ruling his country and taking care of his people.
This unique bonding of souls was particularly suited for a human monarch who, if our understanding of ancient Egyptian culture is correct, fancied himself a deity. How could a human who tries to pass himself off as a god deal with his human frailties? He can if he finds a human being who understands him, who sees him for who he is and the image he must present, yet who relates to him in a way no other human can.
Paroh said to his advisors, “Can there be another person who has G-d’s spirit in him as this man does?” Paroh said to Joseph, “Since G-d has informed you about all this, there can be no one with as much insight and wisdom as you. You shall be in charge of my government, and food will be distributed to my people by your orders. Only by the throne will I outrank you.” Paroh then formally declared to Joseph, “I am placing you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Paroh took his ring off his own hand and placed it on the hand of Joseph. He had him dressed in the finest linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck. He had [Joseph] ride in his second royal chariot, and [those going] ahead of him announced, ‘The Viceroy!’ [Joseph] was thus given authority over all Egypt. Paroh said to Joseph, “I am Paroh. Without your say, no man will lift a hand or foot in all Egypt.” (41:38-44)
We see as well, after Yosef reveals himself to his brothers, how his relationship with Paroh has developed over seven years:
“Now it is not you who sent me here, but G-d. He has made me Paroh’s vizier, director of his entire government, and dictator of all Egypt. Hurry, go back to my father, and give him the message: Your son Joseph says, ‘G-d has made me master of all Egypt.’ Come to me without delay.” (45:8-9)
Not everyone merits the privilege of such a wonderful and close relationship with another human being. Some people find it in a spouse. Some have a close friend and confidant. Some have such a relationship with one or both parents, and some have this kind of relationship with a son or daughter.
It does not have to be about finishing each other’s sentences. But it is about being completely in sync, completely understanding, and completely relating to the other person’s experience, to the point that you feel like soul brothers, soul sisters, or in the case of a spouse, soul mates, perhaps
.More important than interpreting dreams correctly is connecting with the other person, to the point that the other person feels you fill his or her life with power, strength, and encouragement to take on all of life’s challenges, and every blessed new day.