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Orchard of Delights Miketz
and by extension his true nature to the Egyptians and the Jews analysis of the dreams and brilliant advice were well-received, to put
becomes an important theme in the book of Shemot. Thus, the book it mildly, and Pharaoh immediately appointed him vizier of Egypt,
of Shemot revolves not only around the people of Israel assuming but he could not have known for sure that would happen. What
their true name and identity but also around God revealing His moved him to risk his life in this way?
essential name to all humankind. 6
Chassidut explains that there are moments in life when the gate
Indeed, when Moses first confronts Pharaoh, Pharaoh does not of opportunity swings open, and the wise know how to take full
even seem to know who this God of Israel is. Moses declares, “Thus advantage of this. Joseph who possessed a truly wise and spiritually-
says God, the God of Israel, ‘Send out My people that they may sensitive soul perceived that Pharaoh would be fully receptive to
celebrate [for] Me in the wilderness,’” and Pharaoh replies, ‘Who is his words. Therefore he did not stop after interpreting the dreams;
God that I should heed His voice to send out Israel. I do not know he risked advising the king as well. As Pharaoh’s response proves,
God, nor will I send out Israel’” (Exodus 5:1-2). The Midrash relates Joseph had analyzed the situation correctly.
that during this exchange Pharaoh called for his “directory of gods” This is a crucial lesson that each and every person – and even
and sarcastically claimed that the God of Israel was not listed, communities and nations – must internalize, one which Rabbi
therefore he had no intention of recognizing Him (Shemot Rabbah Shlomo Carlebach often gave over in a variety of different ways.
5:1). When opportunity comes knocking don’t only open the door a crack,
In the next few portions, Moses’ warnings to Pharaoh about the rather fling the door wide open, for who knows if the opportunity
imminent arrival of another plague are usually accompanied by will ever come again.
various declarations proclaiming God’s revelation: “So says God,
through this you will know that I am God”(7:17); “so that you will
know that there is none like God, our God”(8:6); “so that you will
know that I am God in the midst of the earth”(8:18); “for this time I
££Throwing Caution to the Wind
will send all my plagues against your heart … so that you will know £Throwing Caution to the WindThrowing Caution to the Wind
that there is none like Me in all the world”(9:14).
After he arrives in Egypt, Moses is likewise told that the plagues
will teach the Israelites “that I am God”: One of the laws governing the physical universe is that for every
action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This same principle
God said to Moses: “Come to Pharaoh, for I have made his heart operates in the spiritual worlds as well; for instance, Divine justice is
and the heart of his servants stubborn so that I can put these signs meted out “measure for measure” throughout the Torah. Likewise,
of Mine in his midst; and so that you may relate in the ears of your human beings possess good and evil inclinations, and there is even
son and your son’s son that I made a mockery of Egypt and My a biblical verse that succinctly expresses the notion of equal and
signs that I placed among them – that you may know that I am opposite energies: “These against these did God make” (Ecclesiastes
God.”(Shemot 10:1-2) 7:14).
When examining the text we see that God had already made this In the last section, we discussed the importance of taking full
goal clear when he spoke to Moses at the burning bush. In his lengthy advantage of an opportunity when the “gates are open.” This advice
response to Moses’ question regarding what he should tell the Jewish cannot be disputed; however, many times what appears to be a
people, when they ask who sent him, golden opportunity turns out to be “too good to be true.” We are
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