Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: A Byte Of Torah II,X Mikeitz
From: ToraByte Int'l <CFRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Date: Thursday, 24 Dec 1992 02:29:01 EST
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center

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                                     A                                   BS"D
   Volume II                      B Y T E     The Electronic
     Issue X                        O F          Torah Weekly
                                 T O R A H
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 ----                    Editor : Zev S. Itzkowitz                       ----
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                           Dvar Torah of the Week
                           ----------------------

"And as for the repetition of the dream that Pharoah had twice,
  it is because Hashem is prepared to bring it about,
   and Hashem is rushing to do so." (Genesis 41:32)

  How did the repetition of the dream indicate that it was from Hashem? Not
only did both dreams have the same motif, but the fact that Pharoah dreamt
them at separate times during the night, suggests very strongly that the
dreams were a message from Hashem (Ramban). In addition, the Sages say that
certain types of dreams can carry prophetic messages. One of these types is
a dream in the morning (Tractate Berachos 55b). It is therefore possible that
the first dream happened when Pharoah first went to sleep, but the second
dream occurred right before he woke up in the morning. This second dream thus
substantiated the one that he had had at the beginning of the night, which
otherwise would have indicated nothing (Beis HaLevi).
  How did the dreams indicate that Hashem was rushing to bring about the years
of plenty and famine (see Genesis 41:26-31)? The dreams could have been dreamt
on different nights, but Pharoah dreamt them both on the same night. That
meant Hashem was going to actuate the message of the dreams as soon as
possible (Or HaChayim, Beis HaLevi). In contradistinction to this, Joseph
dreamt his dreams on different nights (see Genesis 37:5-10), yet they did not
come true until many years later.


                             Mussar of the Week
                             ------------------

"And now, let Pharoah seek out a man with insight and wisdom,
  and set him over the Land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:33)

  After informing Pharoah of the impending famine, Joseph suggested a plan to
prepare for the future and save Egypt from the looming disaster (Sephoreno).
Now, Joseph was brought in just for interpreting dreams; however, he went on
to warn of an inauspicious occurrence, and even gave positive advice. It
stands to reason, then, that someone who offers criticisms of something should
not just criticize, but also suggest how to improve the situation.

Have a Happy Chanukah! Chag Chanukah Sameach!

Please direct any comments, questions, etc. to bytetorah@israel.nysernet.org,
which will be forwarded to me. Please pass it on to a friend. If you want to
subscribe, please send e-mail to listserv@israel.nysernet.org with the msg:
SUB bytetorah <first name> <last name>.  --Zev Itzkowitz        Copyright 1992
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish