EXTRA · Parashas Mikeitz · Passuk 41:33

EXTRA on Mikeitz 41:33

Complete Passuk

וְעַתָּה֙ יֵרֶ֣א פַרְעֹ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ נָב֣וֹן וְחָכָ֑ם וִישִׁיתֵ֖הוּ עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Classical midrash on Yosef’s advice becoming the means of his own appointment.

Sefaria · Bereshit Rabbah 90

Core Text of Chazal

יֵרֶא פַרְעֹה אִישׁ נָבוֹן וְחָכָם. יוֹסֵף יָעַץ, וְהָעֵצָה הִיא שֶׁהֵבִיאָה אוֹתוֹ עַצְמוֹ לַמִּשְׂרָה.

English of Core Text: “Let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise.” Yosef gave counsel, and the counsel itself became the means of his elevation.

On the daf / in context: The midrash observes the perfect circularity: the very advice Yosef offers is the description that Pharaoh immediately applies to Yosef.

Type of Learning: Derash on the verse (classic midrash) — not a formal named middah of the 13.

What Is Learned: True wisdom includes the capacity to recommend the right structure of leadership; Yosef’s counsel is so precise that it becomes the job description that only he can fill.