Summary of the Parasha
Two years later, Pharaoh dreams: seven fat cows devoured by seven lean cows, then seven full ears of grain swallowed by seven withered ones. None of his wise men can interpret them. The cupbearer finally remembers Joseph, who is brought out of prison. Joseph answers: “It is not me; God will give the answer”, and explains: seven years of plenty, then seven years of famine. He advises appointing a wise man to store reserves.
Pharaoh makes him viceroy of Egypt at 30: a signet ring, linen garments, a gold chain, a new name (Tzafenat Pa’ne’ach), and he marries Asenat. Manasseh is born (“God has made me forget my hardship”) and Ephraim (“God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction”): it is in their names that children are blessed on Friday night. Joseph stores grain during the years of plenty; then famine strikes the whole earth.
Jacob sends ten of his sons to buy grain in Egypt, keeping Benjamin at home. They bow before Joseph without recognizing him; he recognizes them and remembers his dreams. He accuses them of spying, holds Simeon in prison and demands that they return with their youngest brother. The brothers acknowledge their guilt toward Joseph: “We are guilty concerning our brother”. On the way home they find their money in their sacks. Jacob refuses to let Benjamin go, until hunger forces him and Judah guarantees the boy’s safety.
On the second trip, the brothers bring gifts and double the money. Joseph invites them to dine in his house, is overcome at the sight of Benjamin and goes out to weep. Then he has his silver goblet hidden in Benjamin’s sack. Overtaken, the brothers return before Joseph, who declares that Benjamin will remain his slave. The parasha ends on this suspense.
Summary of the Haftara
“Vayikatz Shlomo” (“Solomon awoke”)
Text in I Kings 3:15–4:1
In a dream at Gibeon, the young King Solomon asked God not for wealth but for “an understanding heart” to judge his people. He awakes and gives his first judgment: two women claim the same baby. Solomon orders the child cut in two; the real mother cries out that it should rather be given to the other woman. All Israel sees that the wisdom of God is in him. In practice, Miketz almost always falls during Chanukah, and the Chanukah haftara (Zechariah 2–4) is read instead.
Parasha-Haftara Connection
Both texts begin with a dream and an awakening (“Pharaoh awoke”, “Solomon awoke”). In both, a ruler receives from God the wisdom to understand what is hidden: Joseph interprets dreams, Solomon reads the hearts of mothers.