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Genesis 41:3 - Lean cows reveal future famine

Genesis 41:3 - בראשית 41:3

Hebrew Text

וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע פָּרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת עֹלוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן מִן־הַיְאֹר רָעוֹת מַרְאֶה וְדַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר וַתַּעֲמֹדְנָה אֵצֶל הַפָּרוֹת עַל־שְׂפַת הַיְאֹר׃

English Translation

And, behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the River, ill favoured and lean of flesh; and stood by the other cows upon the brink of the River.

Transliteration

Ve'hine sheva parot acherot olot achareihen min-hay'or ra'ot mareh vedakot basar vata'amodna etzel haparot al-sfat hay'or.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶׁ֧בַע פָּר֣וֹת אֲחֵר֗וֹת עֹל֤וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן֙ מִן־הַיְאֹ֔ר רָע֥וֹת מַרְאֶ֖ה וְדַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה אֵ֥צֶל הַפָּר֖וֹת עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר׃
וְהִנֵּ֞ה שֶׁ֧בַע פָּר֣וֹת אֲחֵר֗וֹת עֹל֤וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן֙ מִן־הַיְאֹ֔ר רָע֥וֹת מַרְאֶ֖ה וְדַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה אֵ֥צֶל הַפָּר֖וֹת עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Interpretation of the Seven Lean Cows

The verse describes Pharaoh's dream of seven emaciated cows emerging from the Nile after seven healthy ones. This imagery is laden with symbolic meaning, as interpreted by Yosef (Genesis 41:26-27) and expounded upon by classical Jewish commentators.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Genesis 41:3) notes that the lean cows' appearance was "רָעוֹת מַרְאֶה" (ill-favored in appearance), emphasizing their unnatural and frightening demeanor. He explains that their standing beside the healthy cows on the riverbank signifies the impending famine's immediacy—it would follow directly after the years of plenty, with no delay in between.

Symbolism of the Nile

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 89:4) highlights the significance of the cows emerging from the Nile, Egypt's lifeline. The river, a source of sustenance, paradoxically brings forth devastation, teaching that prosperity and hardship can stem from the same source—divinely ordained to test human faith and resilience.

Rambam on Dreams and Providence

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:45) discusses dreams as a medium for divine communication, particularly in prophetic visions. Pharaoh’s dream, though not prophetic in the Israelite sense, was a divinely orchestrated message to set the stage for Yosef’s rise and the eventual fulfillment of Hashem’s plan for Bnei Yisrael in Egypt.

Lean Cows as a Warning

  • Economic Collapse: The "דַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר" (lean of flesh) symbolize severe scarcity, where even the Nile’s abundance cannot sustain life (Malbim, Genesis 41:3).
  • Spiritual Lesson: The Sforno teaches that the juxtaposition of plenty and famine warns against complacency—times of abundance must be used to prepare for future trials.

Standing by the Healthy Cows

The Kli Yakar (Genesis 41:3) observes that the lean cows "stood by" the healthy ones to show that famine would overshadow the preceding plenty. This mirrors the fleeting nature of material success and the importance of spiritual vigilance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 55b
The verse is referenced in the context of interpreting dreams, specifically discussing Pharaoh's dream of the seven lean cows as an example of significant dream imagery.
📖 Ta'anit 9a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the interpretation of dreams and their implications, using Pharaoh's dream as a case study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do the seven thin cows in Pharaoh's dream represent according to Jewish tradition?
A: According to Rashi and other Jewish commentators, the seven thin cows that came up after the seven healthy cows in Pharaoh's dream represent seven years of famine that would follow seven years of plenty in Egypt. This interpretation was given by Yosef (Joseph) when he explained the dream to Pharaoh.
Q: Why did the cows come out of the river in the dream?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 55b) explains that the Nile River was the source of Egypt's sustenance and fertility. The cows emerging from the river symbolize that both the years of plenty and famine would come from the same Divine source, showing that everything comes from Hashem's decree.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the thin cows standing next to the healthy cows in the dream?
A: The Midrash teaches that the thin cows standing next to the healthy ones symbolizes how quickly prosperity can turn to hardship. This reminds us to be grateful during good times and to prepare wisely for future challenges, as Yosef later advised Pharaoh to store grain during the years of plenty.
Q: Why were the second set of cows described as 'ill-favored' and 'lean'?
A: Rashi explains that the description emphasizes the severity of the coming famine. The term 'ill-favored' (ra'ot mareh) indicates they were visibly sickly, while 'lean of flesh' (dakot basar) shows they lacked substance. This foreshadowed how the famine would completely consume the years of plenty.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of hashgacha pratit (Divine providence) in Judaism?
A: This episode demonstrates hashgacha pratit as the dreams were orchestrated by Hashem to bring Yosef to power so he could save Egypt and his family during the famine. The Rambam teaches that such events show how Hashem guides history to fulfill His plans, even through dreams and natural events.