Last week, we read about Joseph's unique skill to interpret dreams. He uses them to predict the future. The cupbearer dreamt of a brighter future, and Joseph assured him that all of his dreams would come true. The baker's dream would also come true, but his dream was actually a nightmare. In this week's Torah portion, Pharaoh has a dream which Joseph interprets as well. But Joseph tells Pharaoh that his dream shows a future filled with ups and downs, times of abundance and blessing followed by famine. Nevertheless, whatever awaits Pharaoh and Egypt in the future, with Joseph's guidance and support, they will be able to grow and thrive.
As we look ahead to the new year, many of us have lots of hopes and dreams for our future. But we don't have a Joseph to tell us what is in store. Hopefully all of our dreams will come true and be blessings like the cupbearer's, but we have no idea what awaits us in the year ahead. For most of us, our experience will be problems somewhat like Pharaoh's. We will experience both times of blessings and abundance, as well as times of struggles and challenges. Nevertheless it is my hope and prayer for all of us as we enter this next year together, that we can turn to each other, and the many different Josephs in our lives, helping us and guiding us through whatever it is that the coming year may bring.
