Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of cedars, and who was strong as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above, and his roots below.
Amos 2:6-3:8
vayeshev “Jacob settled” Genesis 37:1-40:23
Envious of their father’s preference for Joseph, his
brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph was handsome and prophetic.One of Joseph’s dreams that irritated
them was of their sheaves of wheat bowing down to his.This is shown above Joseph’s head. When
Joseph came to Egypt, he was bought by Potiphar, who was in Pharaoh’s court
serving among others things as an executioner.Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph but he resisted. This
scene is portrayed directly above his head where she is pulling off his garment
(here also suggesting the coat of many colors that his father Jacob had given
him and had actually been destroyed and covered with blood and used as a
“proof” of his death.)With this
torn cloak Potiphar’s wife convinces her husband that Joseph his now trusted
servant was guilty of attempted rape and Joseph was then put in prison.
In front of Joseph on the floor are the symbols of the
sephirot suggesting he was familiar with Kabbalah.
In prison he volunteered help to two other prisoners who
were bothered by their dreams.He
interpreted them.On the left is
chief baker accused for a stone found in Pharaoh’s rolls, and now dreaming of
carrying three baskets on his head attacked by birds.To this Joseph predicted a bad end for the baker that indeed
occurred. On the right is the chief butler here for a fly found in Pharaoh’s
wine.He dreams of branches
blooming into ripe grapes pouring into Pharaoh’s cup which Joseph interpreted
as fortuitous which indeed came true.