Why Judah Drew Out the Deep Counsel of Joseph

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayigash 2:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[Another interpretation of (Genesis 44:18): "Then Judah drew near unto him."] This is what Scripture says (Proverbs 20:5): "Counsel in the heart of a man is deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out." "Counsel in the heart of a man is deep water" — this is Joseph. However wise Joseph was, Judah came and prevailed over him, as it is said, "Then Judah drew near unto him." To what is the matter comparable? To a cistern that was so deep that no one was able to go down into it. There came one who was clever, and he brought a great rope and reached its waters and drew up from it. So too Joseph was deep, and Judah came and drew up from him.

Themes

WisdomJosephTribesHumorAdam Eve

Biblical References

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