By Rabbi Mordechai Young

When I was in high school, many of the students would go out to eat in one of the local restaurants. One day, my friend began to tell me about a classmate of ours, talking about him in a negative fashion. He said that our classmate Reuven (name changed) is annoying and always follows people when they go out to lunch. I protested and said that Reuven is cool and fun to be around.

The next day I was walking out of the school, heading to the local eatery for lunch, and Reuven asked me where I was going and if he could join me. Normally I would have said, “Sure!” But I was thrown off by the bad report I had heard the day before so instead I said, “I am eating in the lunchroom.”

I proceeded to walk back into the building, suddenly realizing how strong of an influence negative or derogatory words can have.

In this week’s parashah, Pharaoh has two dreams for which he wanted an interpretation. No one could explain them to Pharaoh in an acceptable way. The wine butler told Pharaoh about Yosef’s abilities to interpret dreams. He described Yosef in a negative way, saying that Yosef was a young slave. The butler did not want to see Yosef getting a position of honor so he added this negative description.

It is interesting to reflect on the description of Yosef from last week’s parashah. There, Yosef is described in a negative and positive way: he is described as a young boy and also a wise son. The shevatim had two options for viewing Yosef, but they saw Yosef in the negative way. In this week’s parashah, as mentioned, Pharaoh can view Yosef negatively, as the wine butler described Yosef, or for his true value as a wise man.

Pharaoh hears Yosef’s interpretation of the dreams. He says to his servants, “Is there such a man in whom the spirit of Hashem is with him?” Pharaoh tells Yosef that there is no one as wise and discerning as he is.

Why in this week’s parashah did the positive and correct view of Yosef prevail as opposed to the negative view in last week’s parashah? The Torah writes that when Pharaoh heard about Yosef, he rushed to get him out of prison and prepared him for a proper appearance. The Seforno explains that this is like all salvations of Hashem that happen in an instant. When the time is right, it all changes in a flash. Chazal say, “Yeshuat Hashem k’heref ayin — the salvation of Hashem is in the blink of an eye.” We say in davening every day “V’ha’osher v’ha’kavod milfanecha  — wealth and honor come from You, Hashem.”

In last week’s parashah, it was not the proper time for Yosef to receive great honor, so the positive way to view Yosef did not win out.

It is also interesting that Pharaoh gave Yosef so much power. Usually a king would be scared that the new person may want to take over and become first in charge. Yosef set the tone when he met Pharaoh. He addressed Pharaoh, saying he could interpret dreams but added, “It is not me.” It is Hashem Who could explain these dreams.

When one sees another deflecting honor and showing that it’s all Hashem, he feels comfortable dealing with such a person. After Yosef came to Mitzrayim, this aspect of his bitachon was shining forth. It might be that this bitachon helped Yosef be seen for his true value. Before Yosef was sold, the Torah does not mention Yosef having this bitachon. It appears when Yosef is in Potiphar’s house. The Torah states (39:2) that Hashem was with Yosef. Rashi explains that Yosef would always talk about Hashem. The more we speak about emunah, the more we will believe the emunah, as the Nesivos Shalom explains. It states in Hallel, “He’emanti ki adaber — I believe because I speak.”

People can be viewed in a positive way; sometimes we just have to look for that light to shine through. Also, many times, bitachon comes about through situations we do not want to be in; yet, that is where we grow the most. Further, we will see success at the time Hashem deems right, and we should build our bitachon by speaking with emunah.

Rabbi Mordechai Young is available as a remedial rebbe and tutor. He can be reached for comments at mordechaiyoung26@gmail.com.

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