MIKETZ

Joseph has been summoned by the Pharaoh as he has heard that this imprisoned Hebrew can interpret dreams and Pharaoh has been suffering from two dreams that his advisors can’t figure out.  Joseph is told the two dreams: one of seven fat cows emerging from the waters and then seven skinny ones that consume the fat ones.  A second dream is of the ears of corn where there are at first seven healthy ones but then seven sickly ones consume the healthy ones.  Seems fairly obvious that there is a suggestion here of good times being overwhelmed by bad ones.  Joseph citing that he is the transmitter of Hashem’s interpretations offers Pharaoh more specifics: from the waters (which is the Nile that is the source of life for the communities) there will be seven years of plenty, but these will be followed by seven of lack, bad harvests.  Pharaoh is so impressed with this young man who even offers solutions to this climate crisis that he appoints Joseph as a viceroy.