PARSHA & PROSE WITH RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA: MIKETZ & 'THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO' (Audio/Visual)

In this week's Torah portion, Miketz, we encounter the dramatic unfolding of Joseph's rise from a prisoner to a powerful leader in Egypt. His wisdom and strategic thinking enable him to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and manage the impending famine, ultimately reuniting with his estranged brothers. This narrative echoes themes found in The Count of Monte Cristo, where Edmond Dantès, after being wrongfully imprisoned, escapes and uses his newfound power and wealth to seek revenge on those who betrayed him. Both stories explore the complexities of justice, revenge, and redemption, with Joseph and Dantès using their circumstances to dramatically alter their destinies. However, while Dantès’ quest for vengeance leads to personal destruction, Joseph’s rise is rooted in forgiveness and reconciliation, offering a profound lesson on the transformative power of mercy over retribution.