Vayeshev: Chapter 24

"Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me"

Synopsis

We learn that whoever contemplates the image of his master in the spirit of wisdom shall gain an additional measure of spirit. Thus Elisha, Elijah's heir by right, was granted the power to perform a double achievement with the same spirit, if he could penetrate to the deepest core of the spirit that Elijah had bequeathed at the moment Elijah was taken from him. Joseph also received illumination in this way. This allowed him to interpret the symbolism of the dreams of the chief wine steward and the chief baker, and to grasp the significance these dreams held for the children of Israel. The chief wine steward's dream, it is explained, belonged to "the grade of the moon in lightness" and was thus under the rule of Zeir Anpin; while the chief baker's dream belonged to "the grade of the moon in darkness" and thus came under the rule of the Evil One.

Relevance

Here we receive a powerful connection to the souls of the righteous, which gives us the ability to ascend to spiritual heights unattainable by ordinary men. Moreover, we begin to recognize our spirit's ceaseless yearning for reunion with The Creator, coupled with the wisdom to find our way back to Him

Butler Dreams Elijah Elisha Joseph Prayer

257. Come and behold the verse, "And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph" (Beresheet 40:9). Rabbi Elazar opened with the verse, "And it came to pass, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken away from you.' And Elisha said, 'I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me'" (II Melachim 2:9). We must study this verse, for the words are surprising. "Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you.'" It was not for him, but for the Holy One, blessed be He, to grant wishes. Moreover, Elisha also knew HE COULD NOT GRANT HIS REQUEST, ONLY THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, COULD. Why did he ask, "I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me?"

257. תָּא חֲזֵי מַה כְּתִיב וַיְסַפֵּר שַׂר הַמַּשְׁקִים אֶת חֲלוֹמוֹ לְיוֹסֵף וגו.' רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, וַיְהִי בְּעָבְרָם וְאֵלִיָּהוּ אָמַר אֶל אֱלִישָׁע שְׁאַל מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָךְ בְּטֶרֶם אֶלָּקַח מֵעִמָּךְ וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלִישָׁע וִיהִי נָא פִּי שְׁנַיִם בְּרוּחֲךָ אֵלָי. הָכָא אִית לְאִסְתַּכָּלָא, וְהַאי קְרָא תְּוָוהָא אִיהוּ, וְאֵלִיָּהוּ אָמַר אֶל אֱלִישָׁע שְׁאַל מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָךְ, וְכִי בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ קָיְימָא, וְהָא בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִיהוּ. וְתוּ, דֶּאֱלִישָׁע הָכֵי נָמֵי אִיהוּ הֲוָה יָדַע, מַאי טַעְמָא אָמַר, וִיהִי נָא פִּי שְׁנַיִם בְּרוּחֲךָ אֵלַי.

Anointment Earth Elijah Elisha Fear Heaven Prophets Righteous

258. HE ANSWERS THAT He who held heaven and earth and the whole world in His grip could perform this wish. It is a certainty that the Holy One, blessed be He, always fulfills the wishes of Elijah and the other righteous ones, as it is written, "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him" (Tehilim 145:19). This is all the more true of he upon whom the Holy Spirit dwells, who bequeaths it to Elisha the righteous. For Elisha was his servant AND WAS WORTHY OF BEING HIS HEIR, as was expressly said by the Holy One, blessed be He, "And Elisha the son of Shafat of Avel-mecholah shall you anoint to be prophet in your place" (I Melachim 19:16). Elisha was then his heir apparent.

258. אֶלָּא וַדַּאי, מַאן דְּאָחֵיד בִּשְׁמַיָא וְאַרְעָא, וְכָל עָלְמִין, הֵיךְ לָא יְהֵא בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ דָּא, וַדַּאי אֵלִיָּהוּ, וּשְׁאָר צַדִּיקִים, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עָבֵיד רְעוּתְהוֹן דְּצַדִּיקַיָּיא תָּדִיר, דִּכְתִיב, רְצוֹן יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן דְּהַהוּא רוּחָא קַדִּישָׁא, דּדִי עֲלֵיהּ, יָרֵית לֵיהּ לְצַדִּיקָא דֶּאֱלִישָׁע, דַּהֲוָה שַׁמָּשָׁא דִילֵיהּ, וְהָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָמַר לוֹ וְאֶת אֱלִישָׁע בֶּן שָׁפָט מֵאָבֵל מְחוֹלָה תִּמְשַׁח לְנָבִיא תַּחְתֶּיךָ, וְעַל דָּא הֲוָה לֵיהּ לֶאֱלִישָׁע לְיָרְתָא לֵיהּ.

Elijah Miracle

259. " ...Double portion of your spirit be upon me" (II Melachim 2:9). HE ASKS, What does this mean? Could it possibly mean that he asks two for one, THAT IS, THAT HIS SPIRIT WILL BE DOUBLE ELIJAH'S SPIRIT? How could he have asked of him for something that he did not possess, AS NO ONE CAN GIVE WHAT HE DOES NOT HAVE? HE REPLIES THAT he did not ask for two spirits for the one he had; he asked that the one spirit he had perform twice as many miracles AS ELIJAH PERFORMED.

259. פִּי שְׁנַיִם בְּרוּחֲךָ, מַאי פִּי שְׁנַיִם בְּרוּחֲךָ אֵלַי, וְכִי סַלְקָא דַעְתָּךְ, דְּעַל חַד תְּרֵין שָׁאֵיל, וּמַה דְּלָא הֲוָה בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ, הֵיךְ שָׁאַל מִינֵיהּ. אֶלָּא, אִיהוּ לָא שָׁאֵיל רוּחַ עַל חַד תְּרִין, אֶלָא הָכֵי שָׁאַל מִינֵּיהּ, בְּהַהוּא רוּחָא דַּהֲוָה לֵיהּ, דְּיַעֲבֵיד תְּרֵין נִמּוּסִין בְּעַלְמָא, בְּהַהוּא רוּחָא.

Elijah

260. It is written, "And he said, 'You have asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so'" (II Melachim 2:10). WHY DID HE MAKE HIS REQUEST CONDITIONAL? HE ANSWERS THAT he said to him: 'If you could understand the essence of the spirit that I leave you when I am taken from you, it shall be yours.' For the essence of the spirit that he discerns while looking at Elijah is something he should well cleave to.

260. מַה כְּתִיב וַיֹּאמֶר הִקְשֵׁיתָ לִשְׁאוֹל אִם תִּרְאֶה אוֹתִי לֻקָּח מֵאִתָּךְ יְהִי לְךָ כֵן וְאִם אַיִן לֹא יִהְיֶה. מַאי טַעְמָא אִם תִּרְאֶה אוֹתִי. אֶלָּא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ, אִם תֵּיכוּל לְמֵיקַם עַל עִקָּרָא דְרוּחָא דִּשְׁבַקְנָא לָךְ, בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְּאִתְנְסֵיבְנָא מִינָךְ, יְהֵא לְךָ כְּדֵין, דְהָא כָּל הַהוּא עִקָּרָא דְרוּחָא בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְיִסְתַּכֵּל בֵּיהּ, כַּד חָמֵי לֵיהּ לְאֵלִיָּהוּ, יֶהֱוֵי דְבֵיקוּתָא בֵּיהּ, כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת.

Joseph Wisdom

261. Come and behold, he who looks into what he learned from his Rabbi and sees in him the wisdom HE LEARNED FROM HIM could receive an additional portion of spirit. Come and behold, in whatever he did, Joseph would see the spirit of wisdom in his father's image. He therefore succeeded in what he did, and another spirit of a superior illumination was added to him.

261. תָּא חֲזֵי, הַאי מַאן דְּאִסְתַּכַּל בַּמֶּה דְאוֹלִיף מֵרַבֵּיהּ, וְחָמֵי לֵיהּ בְּהַהוּא חָכְמְתָא, יָכֵיל לְאִתּוֹסְפָא בְּהַהוּא רוּחָא יַתִּיר. תָּא חֲזֵי, דְהָא יוֹסֵף בְּכָל מַה דְּאִיהוּ עָבֵיד, הֲוֵי חָמֵי בְּרוּחָא דְחָכְמְתָא, לְהַהוּא דְיוֹקְנָא דַּאֲבוֹי, הֲוָה מִסְתַּכַּל. וּבְגִין כָּךְ הֲוָה מִסְתַּיְיעָא לֵיהּ מִלְּתָא, וְאִתּוֹסְפָא לֵיהּ רוּחָא אָחֳרָא, בִּנְהִירוּ עִלָּאָה יַתִּיר.

Joseph Vine Wicked Wickedness

262. When that wicked man said to him, "Behold, a vine was before me" (Beresheet 40:9), Joseph trembled because he did not know what it meant. But when he added, "And on the vine were three tendrils" (Ibid. 10), his spirit rose and received additional illumination. He looked at his father's image and his spirit shone because he understood its meaning.

262. בְּשַׁעְתָּא דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ הַהוּא רָשָׁע, וְהִנֵּה גֶּפֶן לְפָנָי, אִזְדַּעְזַע יוֹסֵף, דְּלָא הֲוָה יָדַע עַל מַה תֵּיתֵי מִלָּה, כֵּיוָן דַּאֲמַר וּבַגֶּפֶן שְׁלֹשָׁה שָׂרִיגִים, מִיָּד אִתְעַר רוּחֵיהּ, וְאִתּוֹסַף בִּנְהִירוּ, וְאִסְתַּכַּל בִּדְיוֹקְנָא דַּאֲבוֹי, כְּדֵין אִתְנְהֵיר רוּחֵיהּ, וְיָדַע מִלָּה.

Congregation Grades Joseph Levites Nukva Priests Vine Zeir Anpin

263. It is written, "And on the vine were three tendrils." Joseph said, 'This is assuredly an altogether good tiding,' for the vine indicated the Congregation of Yisrael, THE NUKVA. Joseph was informed THAT HER TIME CAME TO RULE, "and on the vine were three tendrils" that allude to the three supernal grades that came out of the vine, the priests, Levites, and Yisrael - CHESED, GVURAH, AND TIFERET OF ZEIR ANPIN, WHICH SHINE WITHIN THE NUKVA WHEN SHE IS WHOLE.

263. מַה כְּתִיב, וּבַגֶּפֶן שְׁלֹשָׁה שָׂרִיגִים. אֲמַר יוֹסֵף, הָא וַדַּאי בְּשׂוֹרָה דְחֶדְוָה בִּשְׁלִימוּ אִיהוּ, מַאי טַעְמָא, בְּגִין דְּהַאי גֶפֶן עַל כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל אִתְחֲזֵי לֵיהּ, וְאִתְבַּשַּׂר יוֹסֵף בְּהַאי. וּבַגֶּפֶן שְׁלֹשָׁה שָׂרִיגִים: אִלֵּין אִינוּן תְּלָתָא דַרְגִּין עִלָאִין, דְּנָפְקֵי מֵהַאי גֶפֶן, כַּהֲנֵי לֵיוָאֵי וְיִשְׂרְאֵלֵי.

Congregation Creation Righteous Wine Zeir Anpin

264. "...and it was as though it budded, and its blossoms shot forth" (Beresheet 40:10). For their sake, the Congregation of Yisrael mounts TO ZEIR ANPIN and is blessed by the Supernal King, ZEIR ANPIN; "and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes," refers to the righteous men in the world, who are likened to ripened grapes. Another explanation of the verse, "and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes," is that it refers to the wine preserved in its grapes since the six days of Creation.

264. וְהִיא כְפוֹרַחַת עָלְתָה נִצָּהּ, דְּהָא בְגִינֵיהוֹן, סָלְקָא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִתְבָּרְכַת מֵעִם מַלְכָּא עִלָּאָה. הִבְשִׁילוּ אַשְׁכְּלוֹתֶיהָ עֲנָבִים, אִלֵּין אִינוּן צַדִּיקַיָא דְעַלְמָא, דְּאִינוּן כַּעֲנָבִים מְבוּשָׁלִים כִּדְקָא חָזֵי. דָּבָר אֲחֵר הִבְשִׁילוּ אַשְׁכְּלוֹתֶיהָ עֲנָבִים, דָּא הוּא יַיִן דְּאִתְנְטֵיר בְּעִנְבַיְיהוּ, מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְרֵאשִׁית.

Butler Dreams Joseph

265. Thus far was Joseph informed by this dream OF THE CHIEF BUTLER. The rest of the dream OF THE CHIEF BUTLER is his. Some dreams are for the dreamer as well as for others; THAT IS, PART OF THEM REVEALS FUTURE EVENTS FOR THE DREAMER, AND ANOTHER PART FUTURE EVENTS FOR OTHERS. " ...And I took the grapes ..." refers to himself - NOT TO JOSEPH.

265. עַד הָכָא אִתְבַּשַּׂר יוֹסֵף בְּחֶלְמֵיהּ, מִכָּאן וּלְהָלְאָה חֶלְמָא אִיהוּ דִילֵיהּ, בְּגִין דְּאִית חֶלְמִין לֵיהּ, וּלְאַחֲרָנִין. וָאֶקַח אֶת הָעֲנָבִים, דְּאִיהוּ לֵיהּ לְגַרְמֵיהּ.

Dreams Evil Faith Grades Judgment Mercy Nukva White Wisdom

266. We have learned that whoever sees white grapes in his dream sees a good sign for himself. Black grapes are not A GOOD SIGN. What is the reason for this? There are two grades, black and white. One is good and the other is not, FOR WHITE INDICATES MERCY AND BLACK INDICATES JUDGMENT. All grapes, BOTH WHITE AND BLACK, depend on the secret of the faith, THE NUKVA. According to wisdom, their meanings are explained as either good or evil. The BLACK ONES indicate the need for Mercy, and THE WHITE indicates the providential care of Mercy.

266. תָּנִינָן, הַאי מַאן דְּחָמֵי עִנְבִין חִוָּורִין בְּחֶלְמָא, סִימָן יָפֶה לוֹ, אוּכְמֵי לָא, מַאי טַעְמָא, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ רָזָא דִתְרֵין דַּרְגִּין יְדִיעָן, אִינוּן אוּכְמֵי וְחִוָּורֵי, הַאי אִיהוּ טַב, וְהַאי אִיהוּ דְּלָא טַב, וְכֻלְּהוּ עִנְבִין בְּרָזָא דִמְהֵימְנוּתָא תַּלְיָין, וְע"ד מִתְפַּרְשָׁן בְּחָכְמְתָא, הֵן לְטַב, הֵן לְבִישׁ, אִלֵּין צְרִיכִין רַחֲמֵי, וְאִלֵּין אַשְׁגָּחוּתָא דְרַחֲמֵי.

Aaron Adam Death Death and the Afterlife Gall Noah Sacrifice Tents Wine

267. Come and behold, Adam's wife pressed him grapes and brought death upon him, Yisrael, and the whole world. When Noah came upon these grapes, he was not well guarded, as it is written, "He drank of the wine, and was drunk; and he was uncovered within his tent" (Beresheet 9:21). The sons of Aaron drank wine PRESSED FROM THESE GRAPES and offered a sacrifice while still under its influence. Consequently they died, as has been already explained. It is therefore written, "Their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter" (Devarim 32:32). It is written thus because of what the grapes caused.

267. תָּא חֲזֵי, אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, אִנְתְּתֵיהּ סָחֲטָא לֵיהּ עִנְבִין, וּגְרֵימַת לֵיהּ מוֹתָא, וּלְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּלְכָל עַלְמָא. נֹחַ אֲתָא לְהַנֵּי עִנְבִין, וְלָא אִתְנְטַר כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת, מַה כְּתִיב, וַיֵּשְׁתְּ מִן הַיַּיִן וַיִּשְׁכָּר וַיִּתְגָּל בְּתוֹךְ אָהֳלֹה, בְּהֵ"א. בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן, שָׁתוֹ חַמְרָא מִנַּיְיהוּ, וְקָרִיבוּ קָרְבָּנָא בְּהַהוּא חַמְרָא, וּמִיתוּ, וְהָא אִתְּמָר. וּבְגִין כָּך כְּתִיב, עֲנָבֵימוֹ עִנְבֵי רֹאשׁ אַשְׁכְּלוֹת מְרוֹרוֹת לָמּוֹ, בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן עִנְבִין גָּרְמֵי הַאי.

Butler Fragrance Grades Joseph Vineyard White

268. THE CHIEF BUTLER saw IN HIS DREAM good grapes, NAMELY WHITE GRAPES, in the vineyard, where they sent forth pleasantness and fragrance in perfectly whole grades. Joseph therefore knew it, looked into the root OF THE MATTER, and solved it thoroughly. Because he received good tidings by that dream, he interpreted it favorably, and so it came to pass.

268. חָמָא עִנְבִין, דְּאִינוּן טָבִין, בְּהַהוּא כֶּרֶם, דְּקָא סָלְקִין נַיְיחָא וְרֵיחָא בְּדַרְגִּין שְׁלֵימִין, כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת. וְע"ד יוֹסֵף יָדַע מִלָּה, וְאִסְתַּכַּל בְּעִקָּרָא, וּפְשַׁר חֶלְמָא עַל בּוּרְיֵיהּ. בְּגִין דְּאִתְבַּשַּׁר בְּהַהוּא חֶלְמָא, כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת. וּבְגִין כָּךְ פָּשַׁר פִּשְׁרָא לְטַב, וְאִתְקַיַּים הָכֵי.

Bread Deeds Evil Head Joseph White Wicked Wickedness

269. Come and behold, it is written, "When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, 'In my dream, behold, I also (Heb. af) had three baskets of white bread on my head'" (Beresheet 40:16). Damned are the wicked, whose every deed is for evil, whose every speech is uttered for evil and to cause evil.

269. מַה כְּתִיב. וַיַּרְא שַׂר הָאוֹפִים כִּי טוֹב פָּתָר וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל יוֹסֵף אַף אֲנִי בַּחֲלוֹמִי וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה סַלֵּי חֹרִי עַל רֹאשִׁי. תָּא חֲזֵי, אֲרוּרִין אִינוּן רַשִּׁיעַיָא, דְּכָל עוֹבָדֵיהוֹן כֻּלְּהוֹן לְבִישׁ, וְכָל אִינוּן מִלִּין דְאִינוּן אָמְרִין, כֻּלְּהוּ לְבִישׁ, וּלְאַבְאָשָׁא.

Bread Destruction Evil Exile Head Holy Land Joseph Temple, The White

270. He opened his speech with the word "af (also: 'anger')" IN THE SENTENCE, "I ALSO IN MY DREAM..." Immediately, Joseph was seized with fright, for he knew that all his words were of evil intent and that he bore evil tidings. By the verse, "Behold, I had three baskets of white bread on my head," Joseph knew that he was informed of the destruction of the Temple and the exile of Yisrael from the Holy Land.

270. כֵּיוָן דִּפְתַח פּוּמֵיהּ בְּאַף, מִיָּד דָּחֵיל יוֹסֵף, וְיָדַע דְּכָל מִלּוֹי אִינוּן לְאַבְאָשָׁא, וּבְשׂוֹרָה דְּבִישׁ בְּפוּמֵיהּ. וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה סַלֵּי חֹרִי עַל רֹאשִׁי, כְּדֵין יָדַע יוֹסֵף, דְּאִתְבַּשַּׂר עַל חֲרִיבוּ דְּבֵי מַקְדְּשָׁא, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגָלוּתָא, דְּיִתְגָּלוּן מֵאַרְעָא קַדִּישָׁא.

Birds Evil Food Head Joseph Pharaoh, The Wind

271. Come and behold, "And in the uppermost basket there was all manner of Pharaoh's baked food; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head" (Beresheet 40:17). This refers to the other nations, who will gather upon Yisrael to kill them, destroy their homes, and scatter them to the four corners of the world. Joseph saw all this and knew that this dream alluded to Yisrael, who would be guilty before the King. He then interpreted his dream in an evil sense, which was fulfilled.

271. חָמֵי מַה כְּתִיב, וּבַסַּל הָעֶלְיוֹן מִכָּל מַאֲכַל פַּרְעֹה מַעֲשֵׂה אוֹפֶה וְהָעוֹף אוֹכֵל אוֹתָם מִן הַסַּל מֵעַל רֹאשִׁי אִלֵּין אִינוּן שְׁאָר עַמִין, דְּמִתְכַּנְשֵׁי עֲלַיְיהוּ דְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְקָטְלֵי לוֹן, וְחָרְבֵי בֵיתַיְיהוּ, וּמְפַזְּרֵי לוֹן לְאַרְבַּע סִטְרֵי דְעַלְמָא, וְכֹלָּא אִסְתַּכַּל יוֹסֵף, וְיָדַע דְּהַהוּא חֶלְמָא עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, כַּד יְהוֹן בְּחִיּוּבָא קַמֵּי מַלְכָּא, מִיָּד פָּשַׁר לֵיהּ פִּשְׁרָא לְבִישׁ, וְאִתְקַיַּים בֵּיהּ.

Astrology Butler Darkness Evil Grades Joseph Moon Nukva Serpent Zeir Anpin

272. Come and behold, there were two grades that they had seen. THE CHIEF BUTLER saw the supernal grade, ZEIR ANPIN, ascending to rule, and the moon, THE NUKVA, shining. THE CHIEF BAKER saw darkness and the evil serpent ruling over THE NUKVA. Joseph therefore looked into the dream and gave it an evil interpretation. Thus, all depends on interpretation. The two of them saw the two grades RULING OVER THE NUKVA, ZEIR ANPIN, OR THE EVIL SERPENT. Either the one rules, ZEIR ANPIN, or that EVIL One, THE SERPENT, does.

272. וְתָּא חֲזֵי, תְּרֵין דַּרְגִּין אִלֵּין, דְּקָא חָמָא הַאי, וְחָמָא הַאי, דָּא חָמָא כַּד סָלֵיק, וְקָא שַׁלִּיט דַּרְגָּא עִלָּאָה, וְאִתְנְהֵיר סִהֲרָא. וְדָא חָמָא, דְּאתְחַשַּׁךְ וְשַׁלִּיט עֲלָהּ חִיוְיָא בִישָׁא, וּבְגִין כָּך אִסְתַּכַּל יוֹסֵף בְּהַהוּא חֶלְמָא, וּפָשַׁר לֵיהּ פִּשְׁרָא לְבִישׁ. וְע"ד, כֹּלָּא בְּפִישְׁרָא קָיְימָא, וְדָא וְדָא חָמוּ, בְּאִלֵּין תְּרֵין דַּרְגִּין, דְּשַׁלִּיט דָּא, וְשַׁלִּיט דָּא.

<
>