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Genesis 41:11 - Dreams reveal divine messages?

Genesis 41:11 - בראשית 41:11

Hebrew Text

וַנַּחַלְמָה חֲלוֹם בְּלַיְלָה אֶחָד אֲנִי וָהוּא אִישׁ כְּפִתְרוֹן חֲלֹמוֹ חָלָמְנוּ׃

English Translation

and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

Transliteration

Vanachalma chalom belayla echad ani vahu ish kefitron chalomo chalamnu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַנַּֽחַלְמָ֥ה חֲל֛וֹם בְּלַ֥יְלָה אֶחָ֖ד אֲנִ֣י וָה֑וּא אִ֛ישׁ כְּפִתְר֥וֹן חֲלֹמ֖וֹ חָלָֽמְנוּ׃
וַנַּֽחַלְמָ֥ה חֲל֛וֹם בְּלַ֥יְלָה אֶחָ֖ד אֲנִ֣י וָה֑וּא אִ֛ישׁ כְּפִתְר֥וֹן חֲלֹמ֖וֹ חָלָֽמְנוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 41:11) is spoken by Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer as he recounts his experience in prison with Yosef (Joseph). He describes how he and the chief baker each had a dream on the same night, and Yosef correctly interpreted their dreams. The phrase "אִישׁ כְּפִתְרוֹן חֲלֹמוֹ" ("each man according to the interpretation of his dream") emphasizes that their dreams were unique and required individualized interpretations.

Rashi’s Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments on this verse, noting that the cupbearer highlights the accuracy of Yosef’s interpretations. He explains that the phrase "אִישׁ כְּפִתְרוֹן חֲלֹמוֹ" means each dream was interpreted precisely as it unfolded in reality. This underscores Yosef’s divine wisdom in dream interpretation, which was not mere guesswork but a true understanding from Hashem.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:7) elaborates on the significance of the dreams occurring "בְּלַיְלָה אֶחָד" ("in one night"). It teaches that this timing symbolizes the unity of divine providence—both dreams were part of a single divine plan leading to Yosef’s eventual rise to power. The Midrash also contrasts the two dreams: the cupbearer’s dream involved life (vine and grapes), while the baker’s dream foreshadowed death (birds eating bread), demonstrating how dreams reflect a person’s spiritual state.

Rambam’s Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides), in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:36), discusses dreams as a medium for divine communication. He explains that true prophetic dreams, like those interpreted by Yosef, contain symbols requiring wisdom to decipher. The phrase "כְּפִתְרוֹן חֲלֹמוֹ" indicates that the interpretation was not arbitrary but aligned with the dream’s inherent meaning, as revealed through divine insight.

Key Lessons

  • Divine Providence: The simultaneous dreams highlight Hashem’s orchestration of events to fulfill His plan for Yosef and the Jewish people.
  • Wisdom in Interpretation: Yosef’s ability to interpret dreams correctly demonstrates that true understanding comes from divine inspiration, not human intellect alone.
  • Individualized Messages: The verse teaches that divine communication is tailored to each person’s circumstances and spiritual needs.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 55b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about dreams and their interpretations, illustrating how different individuals can have the same dream but with different meanings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 41:11 mean when it says 'we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream'?
A: Rashi explains that this verse means the butler and the baker each had dreams that reflected their own future fates. The butler's dream symbolized his restoration to service (as seen in the vine imagery), while the baker's dream foretold his execution (as seen in the birds eating the bread). Each dream was tailored to its dreamer's destiny.
Q: Why is the phrase 'in one night' important in Genesis 41:11?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 89:4) notes that both dreams happening in the same night shows they were divinely orchestrated events. This timing later helped Pharaoh recognize that Yosef's ability to interpret dreams came from Hashem, since Yosef could explain how two different dreams in one night were actually connected.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the butler remembering his dream in Genesis 41:11?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 95b) derives from this episode that a person should always be careful with their words, as the butler's casual mention of Yosef's dream-interpretation skills eventually led to Yosef's release from prison. This teaches us that seemingly small actions can have major consequences.
Q: How does Genesis 41:11 show the importance of dream interpretation in the Torah?
A: Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:7) explains that true prophetic dreams are one of the ways Hashem communicates with people. This verse demonstrates that dreams can contain divine messages, though proper interpretation requires wisdom - which is why Yosef emphasized that interpretations belong to Hashem (Genesis 40:8).
Q: Why does Genesis 41:11 mention that both men dreamed in the same night?
A: Sforno explains that the identical timing serves two purposes: 1) It showed these were not ordinary dreams but divinely sent messages, and 2) It created the circumstances where Pharaoh would later have two related dreams in one night (Genesis 41:1-7), which would lead him to seek out Yosef as the only one who could properly interpret them.