Why Judah Went Down After Joseph Was Sold to Egypt

"And Midianite men passed by," etc. (Genesis 37:28), and they sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, etc. (Genesis 37:36). Three bills of sale were made over him. Once he was sold, they all began to cry out, "Woe!" (way), as it is stated, "And it came to pass (wayehi) at that time" (Genesis 38:1). "That Judah went down" (va-yered) — for what sin did he go down? Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yohanan: Anyone who begins a mitzvah and does not complete it causes himself to bury his wife and his sons, and causes his own descent. Who is this? This was Judah, as it is stated, "And Judah went down" (Genesis 38:1).