Parashas Miketz - No point in being Arrogant.

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Refua Shelema: Refael Chaim Ben Libby
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Note: I apologize, I had NO time to proofread this week. Bare with the mistakes. - Thanks!

At the end of last week's parasha, Yosef was innocently thrown into jail. Rooming with him was Pharoh's baker and butler. They were both bothered because of a dream they each had. They asked Yosef to interpret it. Without going into details, Yosef's interpretation was accurate and fulfilled. To the butler he said he would live and remain Pharoh's butler, but to the baker he said he'd die. Yosef told the butler, "Remember me and mention me," for which Hashem punished Yosef with extra prison time.

For two years, Pharoh had very disturbing dreams. He couldn't remember the dreams until the day of Yosef's release. He asked all his men (astrologers, magicians, the wise, etc...) to interpret the dream, but Pharoh dismissed all interpretations.

The butler sent Pharoh a message saying,"Once, the Pharoh became very angry with me and the baker. We were thrown into jail, and one night, we both had dreams which neither of us understood. There was, however, one man in prison with us who interpreted it correctly. He was a young, Hebrew slave. Whichever way he interpreted our dream, it came true."[1]

Rashi explains, the reason the butler told Pharoh that Yosef was a "young, Hebrew slave" was because he was afraid Yosef would of been given the opportunity of high position by Pharoh. His implication of 'young' meant Yosef was a fool so he couldn't become ruler - 'Hebrew' meaning he didn't even speak the language of Pharoh so there's no reason to be ruler - and 'slave' implying he could never become ruler or dress in princely clothing because of Egyptian rules.

Why did the butler say these things? As mentioned above, he was afraid that Yosef would become ruler - so it was jealously?

Unfortunately, things like this happen all the time. A common example: You're good at your job and you're about to get promoted to a higher position. Suddenly, a co-worker overhears the news and begins to fret. It happens to be, this co-worker has been waiting for the same promotion. He figures, best thing to do is mention the negative trait of his competitor, more than the positive, hoping his boss would reconsider.

The Chofetz Chaim says that one who speaks lashon hara in a conceited way violates the commandment, "Be careful lest you forget Hashem your G-d." [2] This commandment prohibits us from acting arrogantly. If the speaker of lashon hara raises his own stature in people's eyes by degrading his victim, his offense is even more severe.

May we only see and speak of the good in other people. There's no point in trying to degrade someone else. The butler tried, hoping Yosef wouldn't get high authority, instead Yosef got it anyway.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] Bereshis Rabba 89:10
[2] Sefer Chofetz Chaim - Hakdama; Mitzvos Lo Tasei's - #5