Parashat Vayigash begins with Judah approaching the Egyptian viceroy, a man he does not know is actually his brother Joseph, in sheer terror.

At the beginning of Parashat Mikeitz, Pharaoh dreams about the seven fat, healthy cows who are consumed by seven gaunt, unhealthy ones and the seven healthy ears of grain that are swallowed up by seven thin, scorched ears. This midrash suggests that Joseph's success in Pharaoh's court hinged not just on correctly decoding the dreams but doing so in a way that Pharaoh liked - that accorded with his ego and self-interest.