Mikeitz - Shlishi

You're Hired!

Pharaoh was pretty impressed with Yoseif and he immediately offered him the job overseeing the storage of crops during the years of plenty and their distribution during the impending famine. In terms of rank, Yoseif would be second only to Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh gave Yoseif his ring and had him dressed in the finest robes, befitting his new office. Yoseif was sent out in a chariot, with runners going ahead of him to announce his appointment.

Pharaoh gave Yoseif the name "Tzafnas Panayach," referring to his role as revealer of hidden things. Yoseif was also given Osnas, daughter of Poti-fera, as a wife. Yoseif was 30 years old when all this happened. (It is generally accepted that Poti-fera is the same person as Potifar; marrying his former accuser's daughter is a public sign of Yoseif's vindication.)

Yoseif spent seven years collecting grain and having it stockpiled. There was ultimately so much of it that they had to stop keeping track, as it was like trying to count the sands of the shore. During this time, Yoseif and Osnas had two sons, Ephraim and Menashe.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz