1)

What is the significance of Yosef's opening words, "Shim'u Na"?

1.

Seforno and Ramban (to 37:8): He didn't just relate his dream; he told them to pay attention to it, so as to understand its interpretation. 1

2.

Ohr ha'Chayim #1: They did not want to hear it, so he said Na - please [listen]!

3.

Ohr ha'Chayim #2: [Listen] now - the primary interpretation of a dream is the same day (Berachos 56a). 2 This is why one may fast due to a bad dream on Shabbos.

4.

Ohr ha'Chayim #3: Do not think that I already told it to friends and received a good interpretation (and therefore I do not fear lest you interpret it unfavorably. 3 ) No - I tell it to you now for the first time; I trust that you love me, and will interpret it favorably.

5.

Malbim: The dream affects you. It is Hashem's prophetic decree about you. A Midrash says that in the future, Nevi'im will rebuke Yisrael "Shim'u Na..."

6.

Ha'amek Davar: He appeased them, and they consented to listen. They never imagined that it is relevant to them, so they listened.


1

Which merely had the effect of increasing their hatred - since its implications were obvious.

2

It does not explicitly say so there. Ohr ha'Chayim understands that this is the reason why one should fast the same day, even on Shabbos.

3

Ohr ha'Chayim: Even though R. Bena'ah once received 24 interpretations of a dream, and all were fulfilled (Berachos 55b), this is when they are not contradictory.

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