In last week’s Parsha, after Yoseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream, Pharaoh praises the him to the nation, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the spirit of God is?” Furthermore, Pharoah appreciated Yoseph’s wisdom so much that he appointed him ruler over all Egypt, only Paraoh himself held a higher position.
Pharaoh viewed Yoseph as the wisest man he ever met. In fact, he claimed Yosef was the wisest man. Now, in this week’s Parsha, Pharoah is about to meet Yaakov. Yaakov is the one who taught Yoseph all his wisdom. Pharaoh must certainly realize the greatness of Yaakov and the importance of this meeting. In essence it can be described as the most powerful king meeting the wisest man. It is a historical meeting that has the potential of changing the path of mankind.
However, when they meet Pharaoh asks what seems to be a trivial question, “How old are you?” And even more surprising is Yaakov’s answer, “I am 130 years old. They were few and bitter compared to my fathers.”
R’ Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains. Pharaoh asked, “How many are the days of the years of your life?” The word days is extra. Pharoah really was asking, “What percentage of your life was used productively. What did you do each day that could be truly counted as a day of life?”
Yaakov answered on two levels. When he said, “The days and the years of my sojourning are 130 years,” he was referring to the material world, which is a temporary world. In this world he compared himself to a visitor. Afterwards he spoke of the eternal world. He said, “(My days of spiritual growth were) few, (from the) bitter came the days of my (eternal) life. And I have not achieved (the spiritual growth) of the days and lives of my Fathers (who achieved great heights through overcoming tremendous challenges).”
In essence, Pharoah asked Yaakov the secret to attaining eternal life in the next world. Yaakov answered that it is a difficult task, one that involves struggle and overcoming hardship. Furthermore, you may see me as the greatest of our generation, yet I am nothing compared to my Fathers before me.
Over the years people have asked me if I would ever draw cartoons depicting some of the cases found in Yora Daya. Well, the answer is yes! I recently published a sefer called The Great Game of Kashrut. Click on the link to find out more: The Great Game of Kashrut
Below is an example case from the book:
To order a copy of The Great Game of Kashrut follow this link: The Great Game of Kashrut
If you would like to dedicate a Davar Torah in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a beloved family member please contact Yisroel Simon at yisroel@judaism613.com.
Good Shabbos,R’ Channenjudaism613.org