The Torah recounts the story of Pharaoh’s dreams, how he saw seven healthy cows being consumed by seven meager and thin ones. He also dreamt a second dream where seven thin sheaves of corn consumed seven fat ones. All of Pharaoh’s wise men attempted to interpret these dreams, but not to Pharaoh’s satisfaction. Yosef’s interpretation of seven good years followed by seven years of famine was accepted, and Yosef was appointed the viceroy to the king. Why was this? What was so unique and significant about Yosef’s interpretation? The difference between the interpretations lies in the focus of the dreams. The first interpretations were primarily personal ones, such that Pharaoh would bear seven daughters. Pharaoh was not satisfied with these explanations; he was a king, a leader responsible for so many people. A person of his stature does not have personal dreams. His dreams and visions should be more of a grand and dignified nature. Yosef’s interpretation which focused on the kingdom rather than on the king was therefore accepted.
With this idea in mind, we may explain the dictum of “A bridegroom is compared to a king”. When a man assumes the responsibilities of marriage, he no longer thinks only of himself. He now has progressed to the point where he must think of a wife and ultimately a family. No longer do his concerns and decisions revolve only around himself, but now they have to encompass and include others.
