Lack of Gratitude Destroyed an Empire

He can't escape the torment -- terrifying nightmares that no one can explain, not even the best experts. No relief is to be found -- and then, Joseph arrives, straight from prison. Joseph proves himself not only as an expert interpreter of dreams but also as a political and strategic advisor on a global scale. His advice saved not only the greatest superpower of the age – Egypt -- but also all the countries in the region. Joseph is promoted to the highest rank in the Egyptian hierarchy and under his leadership, Egypt survives a severe famine that lasts for years and the lives of millions of people are spared.

Joseph anticipated his brothers' descent to Egypt and made provisions for their exile in advance. Toward this end, he took a series of significant actions, such as nationalizing the assets of all Egyptians and relocating them all, so that in the future, no one would be able to make the Jews living in Egypt feel like strangers.

Ultimately, much of this was to no avail as the Egyptians proved to be tremendous ingrates. From this we learn that when people lack the most basic and fundamental human trait – gratitude – you cannot rely on them for anything, nor expect them to act logically. Despite Joseph's foresight, the Jewish People would be cruelly enslaved.

Initially, Pharaoh himself did express a certain measure of gratitude, but those in his inner circle did not appreciate the sentiment. The Midrash recounts how Pharaoh's advisors told him, "Let us deal with this nation." Pharaoh replied, "Until now we have lived due to their merit, and now you seek to deal with them? If not for Joseph, we would have had nothing [to eat during the famine], and now you seek to afflict them?" Instead of accepting the words of their ruler, the advisors deposed him for three months, until Pharaoh backed down and agreed to go along with their plan, denying any need for gratitude toward Joseph and even saying, "I do not know him."

When Hashem saw this, He said: "Today it's 'I do not know Joseph' -- tomorrow it will be 'I do not know Hashem.'" The stage was set for the Ten Plagues and Egypt's downfall.

The Torah is not a book of stories. The Torah – as the word's translation implies – is teachings which guide us along the path of life. Our Sages taught: "Whoever denies the goodness of his fellow man will ultimately deny the goodness of Hashem." Ingratitude is a disease that threatens to eat away at the entire body and leave nothing human behind. Conversely, when a person cultivates the trait of gratitude, their life and their surroundings become paradise.