Miketz


 “Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand, and Pharaoh put in on Joseph’s hand. He had him dressed in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.” (Genesis 41:42).

Until now Joseph lay in a dank dungeon where he passed unrecognized by everyone.  He was just another filthy prisoner trying to stay alive in a jungle.  Now Joseph is elevated to vizier and all Egypt bows before him.  
 
Question: Are they bowing at the man or the dress?
 
Ecclesiastes warns us, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain…” yet we seem to continue to venerate good looks and expensive dress. 
 
What if Joseph had been recognized before he was brought before Pharaoh?  What if people saw the innate goodness that he carried?  Maybe this is the real lesson the Torah wants us to learn: look beyond the physical self.  
 
Everyone is made in the image of G-d.  Everyone carries unique abilities that no one else possesses.
 
Or, as the Talmud puts it, “There are beautiful vessels that contain vinegar and earthenware jugs that contain the finest elixir.”
 

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