Focus Questions on Rashi of the Week:
 Miketz

1.  By immediately saying that the dreams came true, is it possible that the butler was indicating that Yosef was, in fact, far more than just a worthless, "young, Jewish slave"?

2.  How could the Sar Hamashkim have introduced Yosef to Paroh differently?

3.  Rashi teaches us that even the good performed by wicked people is not wholly good.
~  In what sense is the Chief Wine Butler doing good here?
~  In what sense is the good that he is doing imperfect? 

4.  ~  What moved the Sar Hamashkim to mention and 'recommend' Yosef Hatzaddik anyway?
     ~  Did he feel a debt of gratitude to Yosef?
     ~  Is he now 'doing his duty' to remember Yosef,
         but weakly and grudgingly and selfishly?
         (Is an obligation, or even a favour, fulfilled acceptably
            if it is performed grudgingly?  Look at Rambam's (Maimonides') different
            levels of giving Tzedaka.)

5.  ~  Can you think of a way to understand the way the Sar Hamashkim
         spoke about Yosef in a positive and favourable light?

6.  ~  Do you think that it was the intention of the Sar Hamashkim
         to help to secure Yosef's release from jail?

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