“Judah said: What shall we say to my lord, what shall we speak, and how shall we justify ourselves? God has revealed the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord's slaves, both we, and he in whose possession the goblet was found” (Genesis 44:16). “Judah said: What shall we say to my lord?” – regarding the first silver;19The silver that had been returned to their sacks on their first trip to Egypt (Genesis 42:25–35). “what shall we speak?” – regarding the second silver;20The silver that was returned to their sacks on their second visit (Genesis 44:1). “how shall we justify ourselves?” – regarding the goblet.21Judah was hinting that just as it was Joseph who knew why the silver had been returned to their sacks, it was he who knew about the placement of the goblet in Benjamin’s sack (Etz Yosef).
“What shall we say to my lord?”22This is now interpreted as a reference to God. – regarding the act of Tamar; “what shall we speak?” – regarding Bilha; “how shall we justify ourselves?” – regarding Dina.23In these instances, the brothers did not consider themselves to have sinned, yet their actions are recorded in the Torah in a manner that casts them in a negative light (Etz Yosef, citing Yad Yosef).
“What shall we say?” to Father in the land of Canaan – regarding Joseph; “what shall we speak?” – regarding Simeon; “how shall we justify ourselves?” – regarding Benjamin. If we say to You that we sinned: It is revealed and known before You that we did not sin. If we say that we did not sin, “God has revealed [matza] the iniquity of your servants” (Genesis 44:16) – Rabbi Yitzḥak said: The creditor has found the opportunity to collect on his promissory note.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Like one who draws everything [mematze] from the barrel and leaves it with its dregs. “He said: Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the goblet was found, he shall be my slave and you, go up in peace to your father” (Genesis 44:17). “He said: Far be it from me…” – Rav Huna in the name of Rabbi Aḥa – he shook out his purple robe.24This was an expression of taking an oath, that he would not do so.
He expressed that his royal garment should be empty, i.e. he should be stripped of his position of authority, if he were to do so (Yefeh To’ar). “The man in whose hand the goblet was found, he shall be my slave and you, go up in peace to your father” – they said to him: ‘This is peace that has been completely emptied of meaning.’ But the Divine Spirit was shouting: ‘[There will be] “Great peace for those who love Your Torah”’ (Psalms 119:165).