As we enter a new book of the Torah, the history of our people will take a dramatic turn due to the destiny shift of one man - Moshe.  From a royal upbringing to shepherding the wilderness of Midian, one man will hurl himself from all the comforts of the known world to search the depths of his soul and embark on a spiritual quest that will not only transform himself, but lead to the ultimate salvation of his people.

"I was not looking for my dreams to interpret my life, but for my life to interpret my dreams."  - Susan Sontag

During this time of the year all over the upper Northern Hemisphere, everything is hidden. A shell of white encases much of this part of the world, forcing it to rest and wait, until days of verdant spring force the snows to disappear and reveal the earth's potential.  In this week's parasha, the snows of Yosef's life are starting to melt away and reveal his future.  It is in guiding Mitzrayim through its national crisis that he begins to see the true meaning in the dreams of his youth.  The events unfolding around him begin to actively interpret his dreams as his brothers arrive in Mitzrayim and stand before him in search of relief from famine.  It is by interpretation through living, and not the reverse, that dreams show their true purpose: they are hidden keys in our lives that lie dormant, beckoning gently for us to walk forward, revealing our destinies at the proper time.

Ramban teaches us that Sefer Bereshis is really a book of symbols and allegory; it tells us not only what transpired in the past, but more importantly, it reveals that which will occur in the future. The poet William Blake says it well in this passage:

"To see a world in a grain of sand
And a Heaven in a wildflower;
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour....
But does a human form display
To those who dwell in realms of day."

Auguries of Innocence