Rosh Hashanah: The Secret of Pharaoh's Dream and the Appointment of Yosef as Leader

Class No. 330 | Part 2, Wednesday, Parashas Tzav, Eve of 8 Nissan 5762

Why did Pharaoh dream about grain specifically on Rosh Hashanah, when grain is judged on Pesach (Passover)? The Rav explains through Yosef's interpretation of the dream that on Rosh Hashanah it is determined "who will be lowered and who will be raised," and this is the time when it was decreed to appoint a new leader who would save Egypt.

The Riddle of the Dream on Rosh Hashanah

When Pharaoh dreams his dream about the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine, the magicians try to interpret it for him. The simple explanation that seven stalks of grain allude to produce was something the magicians also knew. It was not a complicated interpretation, and anyone could have understood that stalks are connected to grain.

However, the magicians refrained from interpreting the dream as being about grain because it did not fit the time of year. Pharaoh dreamed the dream on Rosh Hashanah. On Rosh Hashanah, decrees are made concerning the nations—which nation will win and which will lose, who will live and who will die. In contrast, grain is judged on the holiday of Pesach. Therefore, the magicians interpreted the dream as referring to matters of states and wars, and not to grain.

When Yosef arrives, Pharaoh asks him: "Why on earth are you interpreting my dream as being about grain? After all, that belongs to Pesach, and not to Rosh Hashanah!"

Who Will Be Lowered and Who Will Be Raised

Yosef answers Pharaoh and explains to him why he dreamed the dream specifically on Rosh Hashanah and not on Pesach. Yosef says to him:

"And as for the repetition of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it is because the matter is established by God, and God is hastening to do it. Now therefore let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt."

Yosef explains to Pharaoh: Do you know why you dreamed this on Rosh Hashanah? Because right now, a new Prime Minister needs to be appointed. On Rosh Hashanah, it is decreed who will be raised and who will fall, who will become a leader and who will cease to be a leader.

In the "Unetaneh Tokef" prayer that we say on Rosh Hashanah, it is said: "And regarding countries it is declared on it... who will become poor and who will become rich, who will be lowered and who will be raised." On Rosh Hashanah, the leadership of nations is determined, and therefore this was the exact time when Pharaoh needed to receive the message that he must search for a new leader for Egypt.

The Wisdom to Preserve the Abundance

Yosef clarifies to Pharaoh that his great ministers would not be able to take control of the seven years of plenty and gather enough grain to last for seven years of famine. After all, even if they gathered a lot of grain, it would rot. In those days, there were no refrigerators or drying machines, and immense wisdom was needed to know how to preserve the grain for seven years without it drying out or rotting.

Chazal (the Sages) tell us that Yosef knew exactly which soil needed to be placed together with the grain so that it would be preserved. He told them to bring the specific local soil of each place, and in this way, he managed to keep the grain fresh. There was a need for a discerning and wise man who would know how to manage the economy of the entire country and ensure that there would be plenty and work for everyone.

The King and the Active Leader

Therefore, Yosef said to Pharaoh: "The simple wisdom that seven stalks symbolize plenty and famine, you also knew. But you asked what this has to do with Rosh Hashanah? The answer is that today it must be decided who your new leader will be."

You are the king, but a king sits on the throne. The one who needs to handle matters in practice, to worry about the economy, the abundance, and work for everyone—that is the leader under him.

Therefore, you dreamed the dream specifically on the Day of Judgment. On Rosh Hashanah, it is determined "who will be raised," and this is the exact time to look for that "discerning and wise man" who will know how to gather the grain and keep the country alive during the years of famine.

Part 3 of 4 — Class No. 330

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