Parshat Vayeshev - One Word
by Rabbi Lobel

After being sold into slavery and brought to Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar's (his owner's) wife and sentenced to prison.

During Joseph's time in jail, Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker were jailed as well. Both had troubling dreams.

The Butler dreamt of a grapevine with three tendrils that produce three clusters of ripened grapes. The butler saw himself and pressing the grapes into Pharaoh's cup. Joseph, at the request of the butler, interpreted the dream to mean that, in three days, Pharaoh would return the butler to his earlier position by Pharaoh's side.

Seeing, that the butler received a favorable interpretation, the baker asked Joseph to interpret his dream as well. The chamberlain of bakers dreamt there were three wicker baskets upon his head. The top basket was filled with all of the baker's handiwork and birds were eating from the top basket. Joseph interpreted the dream to mean that, in three days, Pharaoh will remove the head of the baker and hang him from the tree; birds will eat from the baker's flesh.

After interpreting the dreams, Joseph asks the butler: “If you would think of me with yourself when fortune will befall you, do kindness with me and mention me to Pharaoh; take me out from this (jail)house.” (Genesis 40:14)

Upon being released, however, “The butler did not remember Joseph and forgot all about him.” (Genesis 40:23)

Rashi (1040 – 1105) explains (base upon Midrash Rabba 89:3; 400 CE – 600 CE) that Joseph was punished for putting his faith in the butler and not in the hands of G-d and spent an additional two years in prison for a total of twelve.

Why was Joseph punished? Didn't he act properly to do all in his power to secure his own release and not simply rely upon Hashem and do nothing?

The Kli Yakar (Shlomo Ephraim ben Aaron Luntschitz, Prague; 1550 – 1619) explains that Joseph's mistake was with one word – “if”. Joseph said, “If you would think of me…” Joseph was implying that “only if” the butler thinks of him there would be salvation. The word “if” conveyed Joseph's mindset. Joseph was depending completely on the butler. Without the butler he saw no chance for freedom.

It is incumbent upon each of us to do what we can for ourselves to the best of our abilities. However, we must never forget, not even for a moment, that our salvation and our achievements only happen through the grace of G-d. A worthwhile thought next time we cash our paychecks.