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Genesis 41:20 - Dream's ominous warning fulfilled

Genesis 41:20 - בראשית 41:20

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאכַלְנָה הַפָּרוֹת הָרַקּוֹת וְהָרָעוֹת אֵת שֶׁבַע הַפָּרוֹת הָרִאשֹׁנוֹת הַבְּרִיאֹת׃

English Translation

and the lean and the ill favoured cows did eat up the first seven fat cows:

Transliteration

Vatokhalna haparot harakot vehara'ot et sheva haparot harishonot habri'ot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּאכַ֙לְנָה֙ הַפָּר֔וֹת הָרַקּ֖וֹת וְהָרָע֑וֹת אֵ֣ת שֶׁ֧בַע הַפָּר֛וֹת הָרִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת הַבְּרִיאֹֽת׃
וַתֹּאכַ֙לְנָה֙ הַפָּר֔וֹת הָרַקּ֖וֹת וְהָרָע֑וֹת אֵ֣ת שֶׁ֧בַע הַפָּר֛וֹת הָרִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת הַבְּרִיאֹֽת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream

The verse describes Pharaoh's dream in which seven lean cows devour seven fat cows, symbolizing future events in Egypt. This imagery is analyzed extensively in Jewish tradition as a prophetic warning about impending famine.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 41:4) explains that the consumption of the fat cows by the lean ones signifies that the years of famine will be so severe that they will "consume" and erase any memory of the previous years of plenty. The hunger will be so intense that people will not feel satisfied despite having eaten during the plentiful years.

Symbolism in Midrashic Sources

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Miketz 3) compares this to a sick person who eats but derives no nourishment - the famine years will nullify the benefit of the plenty.
  • Ramban (Nachmanides) notes the unusual nature of cows eating other cows, emphasizing this represents an unnatural economic collapse where stored grain would disappear without explanation.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Taaniyos 1:1-3) derives from this episode the obligation to prepare for future crises during times of prosperity, as Yosef did by storing grain. This teaches the Jewish approach to hashgacha pratis (divine providence) - we must recognize signs and take appropriate action.

Kabbalistic Insight

The Zohar (1:200a) interprets the seven cows as representing seven spiritual levels, where the "thin" cows (representing din - strict judgment) overpower the "fat" cows (representing chesed - kindness), indicating a period when divine judgment would prevail in the world.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 57b
The verse is referenced in the context of interpreting dreams, similar to Pharaoh's dream in the story of Joseph.
📖 Ta'anit 9a
Mentioned in a discussion about the interpretation of dreams and their significance, drawing parallels to biblical narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the lean cows eating the fat cows in Pharaoh's dream?
A: According to Rashi and other traditional Jewish sources, the dream symbolizes that years of famine (represented by the lean cows) will 'consume' or overshadow the years of plenty (represented by the fat cows). This means the hardship of the famine will make people forget the previous abundance.
Q: Why did Pharaoh dream about cows specifically?
A: The Midrash explains that cows were chosen for the dream because they represent sustenance and nourishment (as they provide milk and labor). The contrast between fat and lean cows vividly illustrates the coming shift from plenty to scarcity in Egypt.
Q: How does this verse teach us about preparing for the future?
A: The Talmud (Ta'anit 11a) derives from this episode that one should always prepare during good times for potential future hardships. This is why Yosef advised Pharaoh to store grain during the seven good years to survive the seven years of famine.
Q: Why are there seven cows in the dream?
A: The number seven represents completeness in Jewish thought. Here, seven fat cows and seven lean cows signify complete cycles - seven full years of abundance followed by seven complete years of famine, as explained by Ramban on this verse.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the cows appearing together in the dream?
A: The Sages teach that the lean cows standing next to the fat cows shows that times of difficulty often follow closely after periods of ease. This reminds us to be grateful during good times and resilient during challenges, as both are part of life's cycles.