Sometimes, it's from the most unexpected places. Take the story of Joseph in Egypt. He rises from prisoner to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. And within that rise, hidden in Pharaoh's words, lie surprisingly deep insights.
Let's look at the verse: "Pharaoh said to Joseph: Since God has disclosed all this to you, there is no one as insightful and wise as you” (Genesis 41:39). He's basically saying, "Wow, Joseph, you're amazing!" Then Pharaoh continues, “You will be in charge of my house, and my entire people will be sustained at your directive; only the throne will I make greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).
Now, this is where it gets interesting. Pharaoh essentially gives Joseph incredible power. According to Bereshit Rabbah, this meant that no one could even kiss Pharaoh without Joseph's approval. Wow! Talk about access! And "my entire people will be sustained [yishak] at your directive" meant that promotions only happened through Joseph. Everything flowed through him.
But what about that phrase "only the throne"? What does that "only" really mean?
Reish Lakish offers a striking interpretation. He says that Moses gave us two portions in the Torah, which we actually learn from the wicked Pharaoh. Yes, you heard that right. From Pharaoh!
He points to Deuteronomy 28:13, "You will be only [rak] above [and not below]." Does that mean we're on par with God? Absolutely not! The word "only [rak]" acts as a restriction, a limitation. It means, "My greatness will be above your greatness." Bereshit Rabbah sees this same principle at play in Pharaoh's words. "You will be" – does it mean Joseph is on par with Pharaoh? No! The "only" reminds us that Pharaoh's greatness still surpasses Joseph's.
And this concept echoes throughout our tradition. "Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: You shall be holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Does that mean we're as holy as God? Again, no! The verse continues: "For I, the Lord your God, am holy" (Leviticus 19:2) – My sanctity is above your sanctity. We strive for holiness, but God's holiness is always beyond our reach.
Even Pharaoh's powerful declaration, "I am Pharaoh" (Genesis 41:44), isn't about equality. It’s about recognizing that his greatness remains supreme.
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin, quoting Rabbi Levi, makes a powerful point. He says that from the "I" of flesh and blood – from Pharaoh's "I am Pharaoh" – we can derive understanding about the "I" of the Holy One, blessed be He. If Joseph received such honor through Pharaoh's declaration, how much more will we receive when the Holy One, blessed be He, declares "I have made, and I will bear" (Isaiah 46:4)?
Think about that. Even from a flawed, even wicked, ruler like Pharaoh, we can glean insights into the nature of God. It's a reminder that lessons can come from anywhere, even from places we least expect. It shows us that even in the midst of power and authority, there's always a greater power, a higher authority. And recognizing that distinction is key to understanding our relationship with the Divine.