“They went up from Egypt, and they came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father” (Genesis 45:25). “They told him, saying: Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over the entire land of Egypt. His heart was faint because he did not believe them (Genesis 45:26). “They went up from Egypt….
They told him, saying: Joseph is still alive…his heart was faint” – Rabbi Ḥiyya taught: What is the plight of the liar? Even if he says truthful matters, he is not believed. “They spoke to him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and he saw the wagons that Joseph sent to convey him, and the spirit of Jacob their father was revived” (Genesis 45:27). “He saw the wagons” – the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him had idols etched on them.
Judah stood and burned them. That tribe is experienced in burning idols.1See II Samuel 5:21; I Chronicles 14:12. Rabbi Levi [said] in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan bar Shaul: [Joseph] said to them: ‘If he believes you, fine. If not, say to him: “At the moment that I took my leave of you, was I not engaged in [studying] the passage of the beheaded calf [egla]?’
That is what is written: “He saw the wagons [haagalot]…and the spirit…was revived.” “Israel said: Enough, Joseph my son is still alive; I will go and see him before I die” (Genesis 45:28). “Israel said: Enough [rav]” – the power of my son Joseph is great [rav], as many troubles befell him, but still he remained in his righteousness much more than I did, as I sinned when I said: “My way is hidden from the Lord” (Isaiah 40:27).
But I am certain that I have a portion in “how great is Your goodness” (Psalms 31:20).2Jacob knew through divine inspiration that if none of his sons were to die during his lifetime, he would be assured of a place in the World to Come (Etz Yosef, based on Tanḥuma (Warsaw ed.) Vayigash 9).