Parsha Miketz מִקֵּץ

  This week’s Torah reading--Miketz—continues the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers, and today’s portion provides the build-up for next week’s climactic moment when Joseph finally reveals himself to his father and brothers.  We see the ways that Joseph tricks them—with the money left in their bags, with the silver cup that he puts into Benjamin’s bag, and with Judah’s naïve insistence that whoever stole the chalice will be Joseph’s slave for life. Is this payback for the way that they treated him? Is this a test to make sure that they have truly changed? Is this an attempt to make clear who now has the power in the family? Perhaps it’s all of the above and more . . .

            But what we definitely know is that Joseph is no longer the innocent young boy who was unfamiliar with the ways of the world. He is conniving. He is smart—it takes intelligence to design the kind of convoluted plan that Joseph has in mind for his brothers. And he is also confident.  You would have to be, to trust that all of these machinations would end up working in precisely the ways that he wants them to. Maybe it’s confidence in himself, maybe it’s confidence in God, maybe it’s some combination of the two. But I would imagine that anyone who’s become accustomed to being second-in-command in the strongest and wealthiest kingdom in the world at the time would no doubt have a lot of confidence.  And probably should, given his quick rise to the top and Pharaoh’s total confidence in him.

            And in this Torah portion—in the triennial portion that we read soon—we see everyone eating together.  Joseph has invited his brothers to dine with him, and they are assured by Joseph’s house steward that he does not blame them for the gold that was found in their bags.  “Don’t worry,” the steward tells them. “Your God must have provided it.” So, they trustingly clean up, give Joseph the gifts that they have brought, and join him for lunch. 

            Now I want us to imagine that meal.  First, imagine the dining hall where it took place. It must have been spectacular.  The brothers had to have been in awe when they stepped into the space. Remember how much the Egyptians loved gold and other precious metals. The room had to have been decorated everywhere with all kinds of lavish gold ornamentation.  I’m sure that no detail was spared.  Even for lunch. 

And what else?

Well, what is especially remarkable is the seating arrangement. We actually have THREE separate set-ups. First, we have Joseph sitting alone. We assume that that is because he is so important—our chumash tells us “AUGUST.”  So, he’s by himself. Then there are the Egyptians, who have another separate dining area. Why? Because they will not eat with the Jews, particularly not Jews who are shepherds. That’s the lowest of the low. The translation in our chumash tells us that the Hebrews were QUOTE “abhorrent to the Egyptians.” Another translation calls it an abomination. Even Joseph himself, with all the power that he has, does not say, “Hey, people, let’s all sit together!”  So that’s just taken for granted. But there’s perhaps another reason he wants his brothers to be separated from the crowd.  And I point this out because it’s in a passage that’s easy to miss. HE PUTS THEM IN THE ORDER OF THEIR BIRTHS.  “From the oldest in the order of his seniority to the youngest in the order of his youth.”

And then the parsha goes on to tell us that “the men looked at one another in astonishment.” 

לגוַיֵּֽשְׁב֣וּ לְפָנָ֔יו הַבְּכֹר֙ כִּבְכֹ֣רָת֔וֹ וְהַצָּעִ֖יר כִּצְעִֽרָת֑וֹ וַיִּתְמְה֥וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵֽהוּ:

            Here’s my question? WHY ARE THEY ASTONISHED?  Now, of course, they might have just been astonished at the grandeur of their surroundings and of the meal. They probably couldn’t understand why this incredibly powerful Egyptian would invite them to share a meal with him. But Rashi has another suggestion. Rashi tells us that Joseph not only arranged them in order of their births, but also told them who had which mother.  So, it would have been more like, “Here, oldest son of Leah, you sit first.”  And so on, through his eleven brothers. And Rashi also tells us that Joseph said of Benjamin, “Because you and I both have no mother, you shall sit beside me.”

            Now THAT’S astonishing. So, what is going on here? Is Joseph trying to give his brothers a clue as to his identity? If he is, they definitely don’t get it.  But perhaps he’s just showing off. Remember that he’s told them several times that he’s a diviner, that he has special powers to see the future and to interpret dreams. So it may be that this is just another way to get them to see his special, mysterious powers. And they would, no doubt, be in awe. Be astonished, as the Torah tells us.