Vayeshev וַיֵּשֶׁב - And He Settled
Torah Portion: Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8
Shabbat: Genesis Chapter 40:1-23
40 After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days. 5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. 6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad. 7 He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
8 They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.”
Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell it to me.”
9 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me, 10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”
12 Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer. 14 But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”
18 Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Today’s Mediation:
Today’s reading is all about dreams. Dreams that are so important that they predict life and death for two people. We all dream; some of us remember them, while others do not. The most important thing is that if you have an unusual dream, you should pray about it. Ask Hashem to interpret it for you. If it is about someone you know, it may be that He wants you to pray about it. It could be a warning or a prophetic message. What I am trying to say is, pay attention. Your dreams could be important and have a significant impact on your future and those around you.
Today’s Challenge:
For Joseph to interpret the two dreams, he had to stand up and say he could do it (with Hashem’s help). He began simply by asking them why they were so sad. How many times have you seen someone or know someone who looks sad and didn’t ask why they were so glum? Maybe it’s someone you know who is going to complain. So, it’s easier to disregard them. I have done that.
I recall that my next-door neighbor always wanted to talk to me. It was always when I was getting in or out of my car, and I was in a hurry. Sometimes I would listen, but often I would say a quick “hi” and go. One time, she was out in her driveway, and I felt like Hashem was telling me to go over and listen to her. So, I did. I listened to her and showed her I cared. I am happy I did. Because right after that, she dropped dead from a brain aneurysm. It was my last time to be nice to her.
Today, if someone crosses your path who looks sad, ask them why? And listen. Take time to minister Hashem’s love to those around you. It’s very, very important.
This Week’s Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8
2:6 Hashem says:
“For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals; 7 They trample on the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and deny justice to the oppressed; and a man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name; 8 and they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their Elohim they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. 10 Also, I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Isn’t this true, you children of Israel?” says Hashem.
12 “But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’ 13 Behold, I will crush you in your place, as a cart crushes that is full of grain. 14 Flight will perish from the swift; and the strong won’t strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself; 15 neither shall he stand who handles the bow; and he who is swift of foot won’t escape; neither shall he who rides the horse deliver himself; 16 and he who is courageous among the mighty will flee away naked on that day,” says Hashem.
3 Hear this word that Hashem has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “I have only chosen you of all the families of the earth. Therefore, I will punish you for all of your sins.” 3 Do two walk together, unless they have agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground when there is nothing to catch? 6 Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, and Hashem hasn’t done it?
7 Surely Hashem Adonai will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets, 8 The lion has roared. Who will not fear? Hashem Adonai has spoken. Who can but prophesy?
Today’s Haftarah Meditation:
Today’s reading is about Hashem’s prophets. Some of you may believe that prophecy has ended long ago, that the only prophets are those written about in Scripture. Others may think that Hashem speaks to man today. There are many “prophets” who speak through the internet, conferences, and churches. How do we know that they have really heard from Hashem? Maybe look at their "fruit". Research whether their previous prophecies have come true or are coming true. Pray and ask Hashem if they are for real. I do think it is something we should pay attention to.
Today’s Haftarah Challenge:
Do you ever feel like Hashem has spoken something special to you? That He has a “word” for someone you know, or that He is asking you to do something special? My challenge to you today is to take a risk. Go forward and do what you think He says, see what happens. Or if it is something you are supposed to tell someone, do it. Just pray and see what happens. It could be imperative and relevant. It could be a super blessing. I can tell you this: if you don’t go forward and it is from Hashem, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
