Miketz, Shabbat Chanukah 5769

This week's Parsha Miketz is an engaging story filled with drama that inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to write the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and the film company Dreamworks to produce the animated film “Joseph”. In this Parasha, we watch Joseph’s rags to riches story unfold. We are spellbound by Joseph’s understanding of dreams and we are on the edge of our seats as Joseph discovers his childhood family that had once abandoned him. Much has been written, discussed and dramatized about this Parsha.

However, I am interested in the leadership qualities of both Pharaoh and Joseph. Parashat Miketz begins with the Egyptian Pharaoh troubled by two dreams. Although the details of the dreams themselves are interesting, (seven weak-fleshed cows eating seven healthy ones and seven heads of poorly growing grain devouring seven healthy ones), it’s Pharaoh response to the dream that illuminates his character. Parashat Miketz suggests that Pharaoh only had these dreams once and yet he was very troubled. Pharaoh could have ignored the dreams and remained the all powerful, all-knowing leader that was expected of him. However, Pharaoh admitted to everyone that he did not understand his dreams and he wanted an explanation. He obviously thought the dreams were significant. When none of his top advisers could help him, he was very receptive to his tale about Joseph and his dream interpretation skills. Again the Pharaoh could have disregarded the Butler’s story as a “tall tale” but he was open-minded and asked that the prisoner Joseph be brought before him. When Joseph told Pharaoh that Hashem would interpret the dreams, Pharaoh believed him (unlike the Pharaoh Moses meets) and acted on the interpretation of looming famine in his country by assigning Joseph to the task of overseeing the storage of food during the seven years of abundance. Once again Pharaoh is demonstrating his skills at listening, problem solving and delegating tasks. Clearly Hashem had some insight that Pharaoh would be the right individual for his message.

Joseph also demonstrates good leadership skills in his position of vizier. He leads the Egyptians in a plan to store a portion of the abundant grain crops to avert famine and subsequently saves many lives.

Leadership is also key component of our Chanukah celebration because without the strength and guidance of Judah Maccabee, the band of Jewish rebels would not have prevailed against Antiochus’ powerful army. Leaders can be found in individuals given power like Pharaoh or in individuals that rise in a particular situation like Judah Maccabee but each have a belief system and demonstrate the qualities of open-mindedness, determination, tenacity and persuasiveness to accomplish their goals.

Jodi Hecht