JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

December 10, 2007 - January 7, 2008

For a printer-friendly version of the torah page please Click Here.

This Month's Torah Portions:

Overview
Pharaoh's Dream
Joseph Becomes Royalty
The Famine
Joseph and his Brothers
Joseph Reveals his Identity

Pharaoh's Dream
Genesis Chapter 41, Verses 1, 15 and 16

Verse 1: "Vayihee Meekaitz Shnatayeem Yameem, U'Phar'o Cholaim Viheenai- Omaid Al Hayi'or"

"And it was at the end of two years, and Pharaoh dreamed a dream and behold- he was standing over the river."

Verses 15 and 16: "Vayomer Par'o El Yosaif: Chalom Chalamti U' Photair Ain Oto, Va'anee Shamatee Alech Laimor: Teeshma Chalom Leeftor Oto. Vaya'an Yosaif El Par'o Laimor Beeladai, Elokim Ya'aneh Et Shilom Par'o"

"And Pharaoh said to Joseph: 'I dreamed a dream and there is no one who is able to interpret it, and I heard it said about you that you hear a dream and are able to interpret it'. And Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, 'It is not me. G-d will give me the answer about Pharaoh's welfare.' "

Overview of the Biblical Text:

For two years after the release of the cup bearer and the execution of the baker, Joseph remained in jail. We are now introduced to another set of meaningful dreams-- this time dreamed by Pharaoh.

In his first dream, Pharaoh was standing near the Nile river when he saw seven beautiful, fat cows rising onto the banks of the river. Suddenly, seven emaciated cows rose up after them and devoured them, but the thin cows did not get any fatter. Pharaoh woke up from this dream and then fell asleep for the second dream. In the second dream, he saw seven healthy ears of grain growing on one stalk. Suddenly, seven withered ears grew after them and swallowed the full ears. This second dream too caused Pharaoh to wake up.

This time he was puzzled. He was sure these similar dreams contained a message, but he did not know what it was. Pharaoh summoned all of the wise men of Egypt to help him interpret his dream, but no one was able to give him an explanation that he was comfortable with. At this point, the cup bearer remembered Joseph who had helped him when he was in jail. He approached Pharaoh and told him about the accuracy of Joseph's dream interpretations. Pharaoh immediately summoned Joseph from jail. He was groomed and dressed appropriately to stand before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh recounted his dreams to Joseph, who explained them as follows: G-d is giving you a message about what will soon happen. First there will be seven years of plenty in Egypt. Food will grow in abundance and everyone will have what they need. This will be followed by seven years of famine in which nothing will grow.

After offering this explanation, Joseph presented Pharaoh with a solution to this problem. Joseph felt that after delivering bad news, it would be proper to help out with solving the situation. Joseph suggested to Pharaoh that during the seven years of plenty he should appoint a wise and reliable man to oversee the gathering and storage of all surplus food. This way enough provisions would be saved so that the people would not starve during the famine.

Pharaoh accepted this explanation for he felt it was the most suitable. He also accepted Joseph's solution. He liked it so much, as a matter of fact, that he chose Joseph himself to be the wise man in charge!