“It was when Joseph came to his brothers that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the fine tunic that was upon him” (Genesis 37:23). “It was when Joseph came to his brothers that they stripped Joseph of his tunic” – Rabbi Elazar said: He came with praise.46Joseph came with praise for his brothers, i.e., in a conciliatory state of mind, as implied in the verse: “Joseph came to his brothers.” “They stripped Joseph” – this is the cloak.
“Of his tunic” – this is his shirt. “The fine tunic” – this is the tunic. “That was upon him” – this is his undergarment. “They took him [vayikaḥuhu] and cast him into the pit, and the pit was empty; there was no water in it” (Genesis 37:24).
“They took him [vayikaḥuhu]” – it is written “he took him [vayikaḥehu].” Who was it? It was Simeon. When did [Joseph] repay him?
It was later: “He took Simeon from them [and incarcerated him before their eyes]” (Genesis 42:24). “And cast him into the pit, and the pit was empty; there was no water in it” – there was no water in it, but there were serpents and scorpions in it. There were two pits,47This is based on the fact that the verse mentions “the pit” twice. one filled with stones and one filled with fiery snakes and scorpions.
Rav Aḥa said: “The pit was empty” – Jacob’s pit was emptied.48This is a reference to Jacob’s sons. “There was no water in it” – there were in it no matters of Torah, which are likened to water, just as it says: “Ho, everyone thirsty, go to water” (Isaiah 55:1). It is written: “If a man is found abducting any of his brethren…[and he sold him, that thief shall die]” (Deuteronomy 24:7), and you are selling your brother?