So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is none so discerning and wise as you. (Bereishis 41:39)

There are a few explanations in the Rishonim as to why Yosef advised Pharaoh how to deal with the upcoming famine without being asked for this information at all. There are those who say that Yosef felt that it was implicit in the dream, and part of the dream’s fulfillment was to give advice to Pharaoh. Therefore, he was forthcoming with the advice even though he was not asked. Other Rishonim say differently, and hold that Yosef felt that this was an opportunity to try to extradite himself from jail.

One of the questions that engrosses me each year on Chanuka is, “What were the Maccabees thinking when they went on the attack?” Were they actually expecting a miracle to happen when they took on the giant army of Greece? Rashi in Vayikra tells us that a person who wants to sanctify Heaven’s name by putting himself in a situation where he will likely be killed, but secretly expects Hashem to save him with a miracle, will be disappointed as no miracle will be performed for him.

I once met a prominent person in a very prestigious field who told me about one of his colleagues who was not so well known. He said the following: “He is my hero and keeps me on the straight and narrow.” I was surprised by his comment and I asked him why he felt this way. He answered: “He is a good guy and yet has an untarnished reputation.” Unfortunately, many times altruists and idealists take a beating in whatever field they are in. This phenomenon indeed perturbed Moshe Rabbeinu and he asked Hashem, “Why is there a righteous person who has a difficult life, and an evil person who lives a life of pleasure?”

Indeed, success is not always a foregone conclusion in our service of Hashem. I would like to mention a story that happened to a long-time teacher I know. One year the school decided to give a “teacher of the year” award to a teacher who went above and beyond their obligations and inspired their students. My acquaintance was the first one picked to receive this honor. I called to wish a “Mazel Tov” and was surprised to receive a distracted “Thank you.” When I pressed the person to know why they were not so excited, I was moved by the response: “Although I may deserve this honorI am thinking about all those unsung heroes who never get any recognition at all. What special merit did I have, which caused my efforts to be recognized?”

According to the Chasam Sofer, Yosef Hatzadik had no self-interest in mind at all when he gave the suggestions. It just seemed like a genuine place to offer advice. This genuine feeling of helping out when one can, demonstrates a passion to help others and an ability to be detached from self –qualities that are necessary for someone in a position of power.

Possibly, when the Maccabees went to war they did so without thoughts of winning or losing – they just understood that this was the right thing to do and the right time to do it. This altruistic frame of mind may be that which moved Hashem to perform for them the miracles of Chanukah.

We often make all sorts of calculations of what is the best way to succeed. The Chasam Sofer teachers us that we should not focus on what is considered success in our eyes; rather the focus should only be on doing what is right in Hashem’s eyes.