Parshat Miketz, the story of Joseph in Egypt continues with all of its drama and secrets.
At the heart of the Joseph story is a story of ongoing famine. What makes this story different than other famine stories is that Joseph devises a national plan to combat the anticipated famine. Joseph has the power to interpret dreams but he possesses the important skills of being a planner and concern about the future of food safety for the people of the earth.
Each day we pray for the land to provide for us, however the land cannot provide for the people of the earth without constant stewardship, cooperation and good practice. I think that Parshat Miketz is a unique yearly opportunity to celebrate the interaction of nature and human ingenuity.
This is a prayer for the type of wisdom that Joseph possessed, the wisdom to treat the earth with care and respect.
A Prayer For Wisdom
To The Creator of all things,
may we be granted the wisdom of Joseph.
May we share in his vision of a world where we do not take our food for granted.
May we realize that the soil beneath our feet is fragile and must be fed,
much as we need to be fed and nurtured.
May we remember that we are part of a planet of varying climates and resources.
Grant us the humility to share what You have so generously provided us.
As Joseph did, may we understand that droughts and rains each have their time,
so grant us wisdom to plan for hard times.
May we show wisdom and foresight in choosing our seeds;
and preserve the wealth of a multiplicity of seeds in storehouses for future generations.
May we have the foresight to grow a variety of corn, wheat, rice, potatoes and yams to ensure a future of healthy plants that feed the people of the earth.
May we renew and reinforce the partnership of nature and human ingenuity.
May we remember to bless the gift of food and eat slowly and intentionally with reverence.
May we use our creative powers to conserve and preserve.
May we never take water for granted for it is precious.
Above all, may we as humans and consumers, not be wasteful.
Borayt Olam*, may we remember always that You placed us as guardians of the earth, so may we show wisdom and be diligent in guarding the soil, the water and the crops for the benefit of those who will come after us.
Give us the insight of Joseph and may we always approach the world around us with Yirah,** Kavod+ and knowledge that preserving our resources is Avoda K'dosha, holy work.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, Oseh Maasei B'reishit.
We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, who makes the works of creation.
* Creator of the world
** awe
+ respect
וְיִקְבְּצ֗וּ אֶת־כָּל־אֹ֙כֶל֙ הַשָּׁנִ֣ים הַטֹּבֹ֔ת הַבָּאֹ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְיִצְבְּרוּ־בָ֞ר תַּ֧חַת יַד־פַּרְעֹ֛ה אֹ֥כֶל בֶּעָרִ֖ים וְשָׁמָֽרוּ׃
Let all the food of these good years that are coming be gathered, and let the grain be collected under Pharaoh’s authority as food to be stored in the cities.
וְהָיָ֨ה הָאֹ֤כֶל לְפִקָּדוֹן֙ לָאָ֔רֶץ לְשֶׁ֙בַע֙ שְׁנֵ֣י הָרָעָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּהְיֶ֖יןָ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְלֹֽא־תִכָּרֵ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּרָעָֽב׃
Let that food be a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will come upon the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish in the famine.” Genesis 41:35,36
Translation from Sefaria
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