Dream Interpretations
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"There Is None So Wise and Knowing As You"
Rabbi Amnon BazakAll the dreams associated with Joseph come in pairs; Joseph dreamed two dreams, the butler and the baker's dreams complement each other, and Pharaoh dreams two dreams. The development of the dreams lies in the contrast of each pair, and the three pairs can be viewed as one system. The two initial pairs prepare Joseph for his meetings with Pharaoh, and provided him with the ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams.
Yosef's Teshuva
Rabbi Amnon BazakThe second half of the book of Genesis describes the Teshuva process of Yaakov’s sons. The first to repent is Reuven; who had tried to prevent the selling of Yosef; and by this atone for his act with Bilhah. Next; Yehuda atones for his actions in the Tamar incident; and goes so far as to offer himself in exchange for Benjamin. Finally; all of the brothers atone for the sin of selling Yosef by proclaiming “we are guilty.” Yosef also undergoes a process of Teshuva; by purchasing land from the Egyptians; and by concealing his brothers’ sin from his father.
The First Dream and Its Interpretation (Part 3)
Rabbi Yaakov MedanWhile Pharaoh’s dreams are a detail in the main story line of Yoseph’s rise to power, the story in Sefer Daniel stresses that God’s interest in communicating with Nevukhadnetzar is the primary purpose of his dreams. Nonetheless, since Nevukhadnetzar is such a sinful person, God cannot communicate with him, and therefore the dream is forgotten and Daniel is necessary. Daniel thanks God both for the content of Nevukhadnetzar’s dream and for revealing it to Daniel. God’s knowledge of man’s secrets is viewed differently by Iyov, who believes this reality damns man to fail in judgement before God – and by David as expressed in Tehillim, who views the knowledge as an opportunity for man to do better.
Nevukhadnetzar's Second Dream
Part 1
Rabbi Yaakov MedanNevukhadnetzar’s second dream seems easy to interpret. The special skill needed by Daniel, that Nevukhadnetzar’s other servants lacked, was the courage to say the harsh message to the king. Nevukhadnetzar’s arrogance demanded humiliation. The legitimacy and correctness of Daniel’s advice to him to give charity is questionable. Twelve months later, once the charity ceases and Nevukhadnetzar’s arrogance is still in place, as is seen by his rooftop statement, the punishment is carried out. His rooftop show of arrogance raises an association to David’s rooftop arrogance prior to his sin with Bat Sheva.
The Vision of the Four Beasts
Rabbi Yaakov MedanThe Sages and many commentators are in agreement that the four beasts in Daniel’s dream parallel the four kingdoms described in Nevukhadnetzar’s dream. An alternative interpretation suggest that that the first three beasts are parables for Nevukhadnetzar - the lion, his son Evil Merodakh - the bear, and his son Belshatzar – the final king of Babylon - represented by the leopard. The fourth beast represents the kingdom of Persia and the ten horns of the beast represent the ten successive rulers of Persia. The new horn that sprouts and uproots the existing one represents Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire.
The He-Goat
Rabbi Yaakov MedanIn contrast with the beasts of prey seen in Daniel’s previous dream, Daniel sees a ram and a he-goat. In contrast with the previous dream, the nations represented by the animals are mentioned explicitly: the ram represents Persia, which possesses great forces and quantities of weapons, and the he-goat represents Macedonia-Greece which possesses speed and flexibility to adapt itself to any situation. Daniel sees that 2300 years is the time of the final redemption, and various interpretations exists as to when that time will arrive. An alternative interpretation suggests that the number 2300 corresponds with the number of daily offerings which were not sacrificed during the Greek occupation of the Beit HaMikdash until the successful rebellion of the Hashmonaim.
The Story of Yosef: A Fresh Look
Rabbi Dr. Daniel Tropperתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | | 58 minutes
Two main moral questions arise from the story of Yosef and his brothers: Why doesn't Yosef contact his father? Why does he have to put his brothers through all the cruelty? This shiur examines the story of Yosef from a psychological perspective, by closely examining the characters and personalities of Yaakov, Yosef, and the brothers. Examining the story from this perspective sheds light on the reasons behind the actions and emotions of the characters, and teaches a lesson about the tremendous impact parents have on the development of their children, which ultimately influences the continuity of Am Yisrael.
Did Joseph Forgive his Brothers?
Dr. Ruth Walfishתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |
Much thought has been devoted to the question of what Yosef wished to accomplish by his manipulation of his brothers. In this class we will explore the question of how Yosef felt towards his brothers, during and after his interaction with them in Egypt. Was Yosef able to put aside his hard feelings and really forgive them for the terrible deeds they had done to him? How did the brothers feel towards Yosef after he revealed himself to them? Our answers will be based both on close textual reading, as well as on an exploration of the emotional and psychological components of forgiveness.
He Who Answered Yosef in Prison
HaTanakh.com StaffThe Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream
Prof. Jonathan GrossmanWhy was it Yosef's interpretation which Pharaoh was prepared to accept despite the fact that presumably there were people in Egypt officially recognized as professionals in this field? Through a close examination of the story we can see that Yosef recognizes a crucial detail in Pharaoh's dreams which his other advisors missed, and audaciously suggests a solution to the problem that the dreams raise.
Reuven's (Midrashic) Dream Interpretation
Rabbi David SilverbergWhy Were Yosef's Dreams Different than Pharaoh's?
Rabbi David SilverbergHow Yosef Descended Through a Dream and Rose through a Dream
Rabbi David Silverberg