356 - Mikeitz

In this week's parsha we get a little glimpse of what will occur when Moshiach comes. Firstly, when Pharaoh had his dreams and failed to find an interpretation that suited his fancy, he was informed that Yosef had correctly interpreted dreams in the past and that he might be able to be of assistance. Immediately, Yosef was hurried out of the jail where he had been a prisoner for twelve years, given a haircut, his clothing was changed and he was brought before Pharaoh.

Rav Wolbe (Shiurei Chumash) explains that Hashem decreed that Yosef should sit for an additional two years in jail (aside from the original ten years), but as soon as those two years were up, he was immediately freed from his bondage. He cites the Seforno (Bereishis 41, 14) who writes that Yosef's salvation was achieved in the manner that all salvations of Hashem are performed - instantaneously - as it is written (Yeshaya 56, 1), "For My salvation is at hand." This was the situation in Mitzrayim as described by the Torah (Shemos 12, 39), "For they were chased out of Mitzrayim" and this will occur in the future (when Moshiach arrives) as is written (Malachi 3, 1), "And suddenly the Master will come to His Sanctuary." The Gedolim of past generations would describe how they might be sitting down to learn and all of the sudden they would hear a newspaper boy outside, with a special edition just printed, announcing Moshiach's arrival. His sudden appearance will take us by surprise.

An additional preview of the coming of Moshiach can be found later on in the Parsha. When the brothers were brought in front of Yosef, he sat them according to age order, he gave them all portions and he gave Binyomin the biggest portion of all. It's mindboggling that despite all these clues into the true identity of the ruler who stood before them, nevertheless, the brothers failed to realize that he was in fact their brother Yosef. It was only after Yosef revealed himself that everything fell into place retroactively. Rav Yeruchom Levovitz zt"l said that we, too, are confused by everything going on around us in the world. Yet, when Moshiach comes and he reveals himself, we will suddenly understand, retroactively, everything that took place!

May we be zoche to the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days!