General Overview: Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, becomes
viceroy over Egypt, and implements his plan to save the region from
famine. Joseph is harsh with his brothers who come to Egypt to buy food,
and demands that Benjamin be brought to Egypt. When Benjamin eventually
comes he is framed and accused of theft.
First Aliyah:
Pharaoh had a dream: seven fat cows arose from the Nile, followed by
seven emaciated cows. The gaunt cows then consumed the robust ones. He
then had a second dream, wherein seven healthy ears of grain were eaten
by seven thin and parched ears. In the morning, none of Pharaoh's wise
men were capable of interpreting the dreams to Pharaoh's satisfaction.
Pharaoh's butler approached and related his past jailhouse experience,
when a Hebrew boy, Joseph, successfully interpreted dreams. Pharaoh
ordered Joseph's release, and he appeared before the king.
Second Aliyah:
Pharaoh recounted his dreams to Joseph. Joseph told Pharaoh that both
dreams contained a singular message: seven years of plenty were destined
to come upon Egypt, followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph
proposed a plan to store the excess grain of the years of plenty, to
serve as a reserve for the famine years to follow. Pharaoh was greatly
impressed by Joseph's wisdom.
Third Aliyah:
Pharaoh appointed Joseph as viceroy of Egypt, and placed him in charge
of the impending food collection operation. Thirty-year-old Joseph was
placed second-in command of the Egyptian empire, accountable to no one
but Pharaoh himself. Indeed, the seven years of plenty arrived as
foretold by Joseph, and Joseph skillfully oversaw the collection of the
surplus grain. Joseph married Osnat, the daughter of Poti-phera, and she
bore him two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim.
Fourth Aliyah:
Then the famine predicted by Joseph commenced, a grave famine that
affected Egypt and the entire Mediterranean region. Exactly as planned,
Joseph had sufficient stores of food, which he personally sold to all
who needed. Meanwhile, in nearby Canaan, Joseph's father, Jacob,
dispatched his eldest ten sons - all of them excepting Benjamin - to
Egypt to purchase food provisions. The brothers arrived and stood before
Joseph, but did not recognize him, as his boyish appearance had changed
in the interim years. When the brothers broached their request to
purchase food, Joseph dealt with them harshly, accused them of
espionage, and incarcerated them all for three days.
Fifth Aliyah:
On the third day, Joseph released them all, aside for Simon, whom he
held hostage. He bid the rest of the brothers to return to Canaan and
return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and thus establish their
innocence. The brothers recognized that this was punishment for the sale
of Joseph, and expressed regret for their deed. Joseph instructed his
servants to place the monies the brothers had paid for the food in the
sacks of grain they were given. The brothers arrived back in Canaan and
recounted the entire episode to Jacob. Jacob was highly disturbed by the
happenings, and initially refused to send Benjamin, unwilling to
consider the possibility of losing Rachel's only remaining son.
Eventually, though, after the food provisions ran low, and Judah
personally guaranteed Benjamin's safe return, Jacob acceded to send him.
He sent them to Egypt with a prayer on his lips, and armed with a gift
for the Egyptian ruler.
Sixth Aliyah:
The brothers arrived in Egypt. Joseph instructed his palace supervisor
to invite the brothers to join him for the afternoon repast. The
brothers arrived at Joseph's residence where they were reunited with
Simon. Joseph arrived, and the brothers presented him with the gift they
had prepared, and they exchanged pleasantries.
Seventh Aliyah:
Upon seeing his brother Benjamin, Joseph was overcome with emotion,
which he concealed. The brothers sat down and enjoyed a feast, and
Joseph presented them all with gifts-Benjamin's gift greater than all
the others'. In the morning the brothers departed, but not before Joseph
had his royal goblet planted in Benjamin's sack of food. Joseph then
dispatched a posse to confront the brothers and "uncover" the planted
goblet. The brothers were all brought back to Joseph, who demanded that
the "thief," Benjamin alone, remain behind as his slave.
