Parshat Mikeitz has all the trappings of an epic fantasy novel. Dream interpretations, promotion of lowly prisoners to high office, a family traveling to a far away land due to hunger, even hidden identities! Throughout, there is an importance of keeping ones word and living with integrity. In Naomi Novik’s novel Spinning Silver, words have special meaning, and promises must always be kept.
When the brothers attempt to convince Yaakov to send Binyamin back with them to Egypt so that they may redeem Shimon and obtain provisions, it is to the pleas of Yehuda that he finally listens. When Reuven asked, offering the lives of his own two sons as collateral, Yaakov refused. What good to him would be the death of his grandsons? Yehudah, on the other hand, promised his own personal liability. He would be guilty forever if he did not bring his brother back. In short, he gave his word, and this was worth something.
Spinning Silver‘s main character Miryem first gets into trouble over words – boasts bring her to the attention of the fey like creatures known as the Staryk, who demand she turn their silver into gold. Later, in the climax of the book, she realizes that magic and nobility, and so many other things, involve expanding yourself to meet the promises you have made. She pushes past her comfort zone to achieve the impossible – albeit sometimes through clever use of exact wording – and becomes herself a worthy Queen of the Staryk.
I love the story of Spinning Silver because it takes a fairy tale rooted in antisemitism – Rumpelstiltskin – and turns it on its head. This is a story of Jewish triumph and of understanding between cultures. Similarly, Joseph experiences a huge turn around in the Parsha. He goes from being a prisoner to having unbridled influence in the worlds biggest superpower – second only to Pharaoh himself. Miryem achieves great things, but she still wants to visit her family. Joseph had every right to be angry at his brothers and retaliate. Instead, he tried to give them the chance to prove they have changed (and he really, really wanted to see his younger brother again).
Words have power, promises should be kept, and anything can change on a moments notice.