* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
What is Yosef’s first statement to Pharoah? Remember: Yosef was incarcerated for 12 years in an Egyptian jail when suddenly he is taken out of his cell and brought to the palace to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Since we would expect that Yosef would try to dazzle the king with his brilliance, it’s astonishing to hear the first words that come out of his mouth:
“Not I! God will bring an answer [that will bring] peace to Pharaoh,” that is to say, it’s not me—it’s God. I am only the medium, the messenger. Yosef expresses his faith in a simple and straightforward way. He then succeeds in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and is ultimately chosen to oversee the entire Egyptian economy.
Yosef’s approach reflects the Jewish worldview: He teaches us to make an effort and strive for success in all areas of our lives. But, at the same time, we need to keep in mind who is the ultimate source of our success, who provides us with the tools to succeed, and whom we are representing in this world.
In the end, it was the man who said, “Not I!” whom the king of Egypt could not do without.
