We will expand on his sacred words based on the text in parshas Mikeitz (ibid. 41, 1): "ויהי מקץ שנתים ימים ופרעה חולם והנה עומד על היאור, והנה מן היאור עולות שבע פרות יפות מראה ובריאת בשר ותרעינה באחו, והנה שבע פרות אחרות עולות אחריהן מן היאור רעות מראה ודקות בשר ותעמודנה אצל הפרות על שפת היאור, ותאכלנה הפרות רעות המראה ודקות הבשר את שבע הפרות יפות המראה והבריאות וייקץ פרעה". It happened at the end of two years to the day: Pharaoh was dreaming and, behold—he was standing on the bank of the river, when behold! Seven cows of beautiful appearance and robust flesh emerged from the river, and they were grazing in the swamp. Then, behold, seven other cows emerged from the river after them of poor appearance and gaunt flesh; they stood next to the cows on the bank of the river. Then the cows of poor appearance and gaunt flesh ate the seven robust cows of beautiful appearance; and Pharaoh awoke.
Here is the interpretation of the dream from the Zohar hakadosh (Mikeitz 194a): "רִבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר, שֶׁבַע פָּרוֹת הַטּוֹבוֹת דַּרְגִּין אִינוּן עִלָּאִין עַל אָחֳרָנִין, וְשֶׁבַע הַפָּרוֹת הָרָעוֹת דַּרְגִּין אָחֳרִנִין דִּלְתַתָּא, א".אִלֵּין מִסִּטְרָא דִקְדוּשָׁה וְאִלֵּין מִסִּטְרָא דִּמְסָאֲבָ" Rabbi Yitzchak teaches that the seven robust cows represent the superior human qualities and characteristics emanating from the realm of kedushah, while the emaciated, unhealthy-looking cows represent the lowly, negative qualities and characteristics emanating from the forces of tumah.
Let us elaborate. Every Jew possesses the midos of kedushah, so that he can use them to serve Hashem. With “chesed,” one can treat others with kindness and serve Hashem with love. With “gevurah,” one can overcome one’s yetzer and serve Hashem with fear and reverence. With “Tiferes,” one recognizes that the only true splendor in life is achieved through Torah and the service of Hashem. With “netzach,” one defeats one’s yetzer hara. With “hod,” one acknowledges and thanks Hashem for all the good one has been granted. With “yesod,” one attaches oneself securely to Hashem. With “malchus,” one affirms the sovereignty of HKB”H over all of one’s limbs and sinews. In contrast, the seven midos emanating from the klipah and its forces of evil oppose the seven midos of kedushah, in keeping the pronouncement (Koheles 7, 14): "זה לעומת זה עשה האלקים"—G-d created the world with corresponding equal and opposite forces.
We will now interpret Pharaoh’s dream with this understanding: “Then the cows of poor appearance and gaunt flesh ate the seven robust cows of beautiful appearance.” Clearly, the sole desire and goal of the klipos is to cause a Jew to sin and stumble. Instead of serving Hashem with the seven midos of kedushah, they want him to serve Hashem, chas v’shalom, with the seven midos of the klipah, living a life of earthly pleasures and debauchery. Thus, the negative, unholy midos swallow the sparks of kedushah embodied by the seven midos of kedushah; they are sustained by the kedushah.
