Why Joseph Sent His Brothers Home Only at Morning Light

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Miketz 13:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And he lifted up his eyes and saw Benjamin his brother, the son of his mother" (Genesis 43:29). He rejoiced that he resembled his mother, for thus it is written, "the son of his mother." Immediately, "And he commanded the one who was over his house, saying: Fill the men's sacks with food..." (Genesis 44:1). He said to Manasseh: Fill the sacks, "and my goblet, the goblet of silver..." (Genesis 44:2). "As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away" (Genesis 44:3). Why did he not send them away at night? Joseph said: If I send them away at night, no creature can withstand them, for they are likened to wild beasts: "Judah is a lion's whelp" (Genesis 49:9); "Dan is a lion's whelp" (Deuteronomy 33:22); "Dan shall be a serpent" (Genesis 49:17); "Naphtali is a hind let loose" (Genesis 49:21); "Benjamin is a ravening wolf" (Genesis 49:27).

Themes

TribesJosephLightAnimalsWomen

Biblical References

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