Why Judah Went Down and His Brothers Deposed Their King

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 12:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

(Gen. 38:1:) "And Judah went down." What is the meaning of "went down"? That they brought him down from his greatness. Why? Because they had appointed him king over them. When they sold Joseph, they came to their father to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. They said: Now the old man holds a grievance against us. What did they do? They arose and banished him (Judah), as it is said, "And Judah went down."

Themes

JudahKingsTribesWisdomJoseph

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash AggadahWhy Judah Told Joseph His Brother Was DeadWhen Joseph, still hidden behind the mask of the Egyptian viceroy, pressed his brothers, the words came out: "and his brother is dead." Joseph would not let theMidrash Tanchuma Buber, VayeshevWhy Judah Went Down After the Brothers Sold JosephWhy does Scripture say that Judah "went down"? Our sages read it as the aftershock of a crime. The brothers had just sold Joseph into the hands of strangers, anMidrash AggadahWhy Judah Went Down and Buried His Wife and SonsListen, and consider how a man falls from the height he might have reached. When the verse says, Judah "went down" at that time, the Sages heard in that word a Book of JubileesTrial of Judah of JosephBook of Jubilees turns to Trial of Judah of Joseph. It all revolves around a cup. Not just any cup, but a cup that Joseph, disguised as a powerful Egyptian offiLegends of the JewsKingdom of Joseph of PotipharThe ancient texts hint that such intense feelings aren't always random. Sometimes, they're woven into the very fabric of destiny, though perhaps not in the way Legends of the JewsJoseph Tested Whether His Brothers Knew Who He WasThe tables being turned... Imagine you holding all the cards, knowing the truth while others are desperately trying to keep up a charade. That’s the kind of ten