Mikeitz Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Jono runs for Vice President of the United States. Hilarity Ensues.

Topics include: The mystical significance of the seven sickly cows, how Joseph learned seventy languages in one night, and why the depravity of Egypt may best be described as “bad love.”

Discover the wisdom in Joseph deciphering Pharaoh’s dream.

The Torah tells us that both of Joseph’s sons were born before the famine began in Egypt. What do the commentaries say we are supposed to learn from this?

The dramatic Joseph narrative demonstrates the exceptional strength to persevere and flourish even under the most trying of circumstances.

Joseph is brought out of prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, thereby becoming viceroy over Egypt, the global superpower of the day. How did Joseph do it? And why couldn't anybody else understand the message which seems so obvious?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

During the good times, spiritually, emotionally or materially, we need to nurture our priorities and cultivate a sincere bond with G‑d. The time and energy invested will provide us with the tools to survive during the crisis years of famine.

Both of Joseph’s dreams came true: Eleven brothers prostrated themselves to Joseph, and they bowed again after Jacob and Bilha joined them.

So much of our life is based on stats. The stock market, the winning team’s scores, our health and fitness tracker; to name a few. Is quality over quantity a worn cliché or a true approach to life? Learn an approach that goes beyond a spreadsheet.

How did Joseph’s brothers know that they had truly repented for what they had done to him?

In the verse "Pharaoh dreamed..." (Genesis 41:1) the word "dreamed" (cholem) can also be read as the name of the Hebrew vowel cholem or rearranged to spell the word "salt" (melach). What is the connection between dreams and Chanukah?

The parshah of Mikeitz contains 147 verses and the mnemonic for it are the Judean Kings ‘Yechezkiyahu’ and ‘Amaziah’. Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah, as well as the coinciding holiday of Chanukah.

The Torah relates that there was absolute danger in Binyamin leaving his father Yaakov to travel to Egypt. Learn a truly remarkable interpretation of this strange episode.

Rashi analyzes the specific terminology used by Joseph’s brothers when they try to defend themselves against his accusation that they had stolen his “magical” goblet. A closer examination of Rashi reveals a powerful perspective on life’s challenges.

How does Rashi know that Joseph wanted the Egyptians to circumcise before he would give them food? And why did he need them to do so, anyway? (From Likutei Sichos vol. 10, Mikeitz sicha 2)

A glaring question that Rashi doesn’t seem to address: Why did Yosef not even hint to his father that he was still alive?

Why would Yosef want the Egyptians to circumcise themselves?

How Yosef had the chutzpah to advise Pharaoh on how to run his country.

What was the catalyst that caused emotion to break through Joseph's austere composure, after he reunited with his brother, Benjamin? A lesson in releasing the power of our soul.

A closer look at the response of the Yosef’s brothers after being accused of theft. Discover how it is beneath our dignity to live a mundane life.

The question of having a family at a time when the world is in crisis.

Create elegant and tasty goblets to represent the events of Parshat Miketz!

Ch. 41 verses 1-13: Introduction, Pharaoh has two dreams and no one is able to interpret them to his satisfaction. The butler finally remembers Yosef to Pharaoh as he promised.

Ch. 41 verses 14-41: Yosef interprets Pharaoh's dream. Pharaoh appoints him to the position of viceroy of Egypt, since he sees in him the spirit of G-d.

Ch. 41 verses 42-57: Pharaoh appoints Yosef as his viceroy. He changes his name and gives him a wife. She bears him two sons. The seven years of plenty come and Yosef stores up all the grain in Egypt. Then the years of famine begin and the people feel it immediately. Their grain rots but his remains edible. He opens up the storehouses and feeds Egypt and the world.

Ch. 42 verses 1-23: Yaakov sends 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy grain. They go there with the intent of locating Yosef and freeing him. Yosef, the viceroy recognizes them but they do not recognize him. He accuses them of being spies and puts them in jail for three days. He decides to free all but one of them on the condition that they return to Egypt with their youngest brother to prove their innocence. Seeing that the viceroy had reevaluated his decision made them relook their lack of compassion for Yosef when they sold him.

Ch. 42 verses 24-38: Yosef sends the brothers home to Canaan with sacks of grain. He keeps Shimon as a prisoner until they return with Binyamin, however he releases him as soon as they leave. On the way home Levi finds the money that he payed for his grain in his sack. The brothers are concerned. They tell Yaakov all that happened in Egypt; about Shimon's incarceration and that they would have to bring Binyamin down to Egypt. They all find their money in their sacks and they are frightened. Reuvain guarantees to bring back Binyamin and he offers the lives of his two sons as collateral. Yaakov refuses to send him and bemoans his fate.

Why Joseph felt compelled to give Pharaoh advice when he was only asked to interpret his dream. Presenter: Rabbi Silberg

A closer look at the topic of dreams, and more specifically the prayer regarding bad dreams, which is recited during the Priestly Blessings.