Rabbi Yissochar Frand
...seven cows of beautiful appearance and robust flesh...” (41:2)
Pharaoh dreams that as he is standing over the Nile seven cows “y’fos mareh” – “of beautiful appearance” and “briyos bassar” – “robust flesh” emerge from the river. Subsequently, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, emerge and consume the beautiful and robust cows. Yoseif interprets that the first seven cows represent seven years of abundance, which are to be followed by seven years of famine, represented by the second set of cows.
Most of the commentaries see a correlation between the cows and the Egyptian economy. Being an agricultural society, Egypt’s economic wellbeing is defined in terms of their livestock; abundance results in well-fed animals while famine results in malnourished animals.
However, Rashi chooses to explain the symbolism in a different manner. Rashi’s comment on the expression “y’fos mareh” – “of beautiful appearance” is that it alludes to the years of “sovah”, when people will view each other favorably. Clearly, Rashi is teaching that the cows represent the people and not the livestock owned by the Egyptians. What prompts Rashi to interpret the verse differently than most of the other commentaries? If, according to Rashi, the cows represent the people’s attitudes towards one another, how do we interpret the latter half of the verse “briyos bassar” – “robust flesh”?
The term used by the Torah for the years of plenty is “sova”. Rashi understands that “sova” does not only refer to abundance, but contentment as well. Contentment is not gauged by the state of the economy alone; it is a state of mind. If a person is able to view another’s success favorably, then he is truly content. Many people have more resources than they will ever need, but still begrudge others their success. They become so consumed with the success of others, that they forget their own accomplishments and are therefore unable to find satisfaction in the fruit of their labor.
Therefore, Rashi identifies the “sova gadol” – “a time of great contentment” as a time when people are able to view each other favorably. This concept is alluded to by the seven cows “y’fos mareh” – “of beautiful appearance”. Rashi’s interpretation is corroborated by the comments made by the Midrash on the end of the verse “vatirenah b’achu” – “and they were grazing in the marsh”. The Midrash comments “ahava ve’achva ba’olam” – “it is a time of love and brotherhood in the world”. One person can view another favorably only if he sees himself in a healthy light. Self-respect coupled with the ability to gauge ourselves by our own accomplishments allows us the security to share in the happiness and success of others. This is alluded to by the description of the cows “briyos bassar” – “robust flesh”, for they have a healthy disposition.
If a person does not have self-respect and can only gauge his own accomplishments in terms of others’, he will be forever threatened by their success, and therefore never rejoice in his own.
