Glossary of Terms Used in the Miketz Weekly Torah Portion

Years of Abundance and Years of Hunger

“Years of abundance and years of hunger” are the ups and downs that we must go through, which divide into years. The number seven represents the Sefirot Hesed, Gevura, Tifferet, Netzah, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut.

These years connect Zeir Anpin, which contains six Sefirot, with Malchut. This connection creates a new Kli between the qualities of the Creator and the qualities of the creature.

The wisdom of Kabbalah refers to the six qualities as “the Holy One blessed be He.” The seventh quality is the Shechina (Divinity), which is currently Pharaoh, also known as “Divinity in exile.” After the correction, Pharaoh becomes a holy place—in order to bestow—the place of our souls, the place of connection between us.

The Sages of Egypt

The sagacity of Egypt is called “external wisdom.” It maintains that you need not change within in order to obtain all the good in this life and in the spiritual life, and you can settle for the intellect. Study without changing; don’t think about the correction of the heart, about your ego, that you need to change; study a couple of pages and you will be happy. This, in essence, is the wisdom of Egypt, as it is written, “there is wisdom in the nations—believe.”¹

Grain and Hunger

“Hunger” is a sensation of the will to receive that cannot satisfy itself. The grain matches the degree of hunger from which you are suffering. This refers to two degrees—the degree of Mochin of Haya, and the degree of Mochin of Neshama.

Brothers

“Brothers” means connection. When the desires to receive connect in common intentions and common Masachim (screens), when all wish to unite in order to obtain the sublime goal, they are called “brothers.” This is why there is Malchut, Egypt, Pharaoh, and above it the entire house of Jacob. The symbol of the house of Jacob is the twelve brethren, HaVaYaH (Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey) times three lines, four letters times three lines, which are the twelve brothers.

A Meal

The filling of the Kli happens when there is food and drink. As on Purim, it requires two portions. This is all the light, the flavors that spread from the Peh (mouth) of the Partzuf downward. The inner light that spreads through the Partzuf is called “a meal.” If we do it in Partzufim that are integrated together, it is like the law of communicating vessels, where everyone fills up to the same level, which is called “a meal of brothers.” This is why it is the only condition where the term, “When brothers also sit together” (Psalms 133:1) holds true.