This Shabbat, we continue to read the narrative of Joseph in Egypt. The Pharaoh of Egypt has two dreams he is unable to understand. The magicians of Egypt fail to analyze the dreams as well. The royal cupbearer remembers that Joseph the Hebrew was able to explain his dream while he was in prison. The Torah uses "Pharaoh" as a personal name while it actually is a title of respect, meaning "great house".

Joseph is called to the court of Pharaoh. Joseph attributes his ability to interpret dreams as a gift from G-d. Joseph interprets both the seven good ears of corn and the seven fat cattle as seven years of plenty. He analyzes the seven bad ears of corn and the seven sickly cattle as seven years of famine. Joseph advises to store twenty-percent of the crops of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. The repetition of the dream is said to represent the seriousness of the vision. Biblical critics would attribute the dual vision to two literary sources.

Joseph is appointed as second in command to Pharaoh. He is dressed in fine linen with a golden chain around his neck. He is given an Egyptian name, "Zaphenat Paneach", meaning, "G-d speaks; he lives". Joseph marries Asenat, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Joseph has two children with Asenat, Menashe and Ephraim. Joseph's predictions of the years of prosperity followed by famine come to pass.

The elderly Jacob has heard that there is food available in Egypt. He sends his sons to seek food with the exception of Benjamin, the youngest of the sons. The brothers meet with Joseph. However, they do not recognize him because of his Egyptian dress. Joseph claims the sons of Jacob are spies. The brothers share their personal story with Joseph. He requests that one of them remain hostage in Egypt until the youngest brother, Benjamin, is brought before him. Simon is bound and taken hostage. Joseph instructs the Egyptians to give his brothers corn and to return their money in their sacks.

The brothers return to Jacob and share their story. The brothers ask Jacob's permission to bring Benjamin to Egypt, according to Joseph's request. Jacob only agrees because of the severity of the famine. Judah demonstrates his nobility of character in his offer of protection to Benjamin. The brothers bring a double payment to offer to Joseph.

Joseph meets with the brothers and inquires about Jacob's well being. Joseph is overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing his brother Benjamin. He retires to his personal chamber to gain control of his emotions. Joseph returns to his brothers. The Hebrews and the Egyptians eat separately. Benjamin is given a portion five times the size of his brothers.

Joseph instructs the Egyptians to give his brothers ample coin and to return their money. He also tells them to place his silver goblet in Benjamin's sack. The brothers leave the palace and are followed by the royal steward. The steward informs them they have maliciously stolen the royal silver goblet. The goblet is discovered in Benjamin's sack. Judah speaks out on Benjamin's behalf. However, the Egyptians demand that Benjamin be brought before Joseph.

The brilliance of the Joseph narrative is dazzling. The story has inspiring so many literary creations from Thomas Mann's Joseph and His Brethren to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The story reflects the genius of the Biblical narrative - simple language, realistic dialogue, and emotional honesty. The feelings of the characters, Joseph, Judah, Jacob, and the other brothers, are expressed with an intense portrayal that all of us can identify with. Joseph and his brothers is truly one of the brilliant gems of the Torah!