A teaching of the Rebbe on the parsha adapted for children
Parashah Vayeshev tells us about Joseph's two dreams about his brothers. Between the two dreams there is apparently no significant difference, the two speak of how the brothers bow to Yosef and appoint him as king over them. The Parashah Miketz also tells us of Pharaoh's two dreams about the seven years of famine. Regarding Pharaoh, the Torah explains why the dream is repeated twice, it indicates that the fulfillment of the dream will be very soon. On the other hand, with Yosef the Torah does not explain why the dream is repeated twice, so it can be said that there is an important difference between the two dreams of Yosef. What is the difference between dreams? And what can we learn from this for our daily service to G-d?
If we look deeply we will see that Pharaoh's two dreams deal with earthly and material issues: he dreamed of cows (animals) and of ears of wheat (vegetables). While Joseph's dreams show progress: the first dream talks about material things, sheaves and the second dream deals with celestial themes, the sun, the moon and 11 stars, which symbolize the highest spiritually essence. That is the difference between a Jew and a non-Jew. The Jew also during his life in this material world is not only linked to his materiality, but also to the spirituality of the world to come.
The service of every Jew is to make the two worlds, the material and the spiritual, one. Not only does the material not interfere with his service but he transforms it into an instrument to kindle the light of G-d. The common nature of every Jew is to live in this world and sanctify it, through keeping the Torah and mitzvot. Since for the Jew in all material matters there is a spiritual intention and will, because they are truly spiritual. As said the Baal Shem Tov: "Where the will of the Jew is, there he is himself." Through this service of transforming the material into a place for the Holy One, blessed is He, we hasten the coming of our righteous Mashiach, soon, in our days.
