Today, we're diving into the final testament of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, as recounted in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews.
Benjamin, at the ripe old age of one hundred and twenty-five, gathers his children. Think of the scene: a patriarch, surrounded by his descendants, ready to pass on the torch. He kisses them, a gesture of love and blessing, and begins to speak.
"As Isaac was born unto Abraham in his old age, so was I born unto Jacob when he was stricken in years. Therefore I was called Benjamin, 'the son of days.'" It’s a poignant start. His very name, Benjamin, reflects his unique place in the family. His mother Rachel died giving birth to him, and Bilhah, her slave, nursed him. He reminds them how deeply their father, Jacob, loved Rachel and how much he longed for two sons by her. Rachel, Benjamin tells them, was childless for twelve years after Joseph was born. She prayed, fasted, and finally, she conceived him.
Then, Benjamin shifts to a powerful story about Joseph, his beloved brother. He recounts his journey to Egypt, and how Joseph, now a powerful figure, recognized him. Joseph asked Benjamin what his brothers had told their father about him. Benjamin shares the terrible lie: that they had presented Jacob with Joseph’s coat, stained with blood, and asked him to identify it, implying Joseph was dead.
But here's where Joseph's character shines through. According to Benjamin, Joseph told him the truth of what happened: Canaanite merchants had stolen him, and when they considered hiding his coat to make it seem he'd been killed by a wild animal, a lion attacked the one about to conceal it. Terrified, the merchants sold him to the Ishmaelites. "My brethren, thou seest, did not deceive my father with a lie," Joseph told him.
Why did Joseph share this alternate story with Benjamin? Ginzberg explains that Joseph wanted to keep the brothers’ actions a secret from Benjamin. He even instructed his brothers to repeat this version of events to Jacob. What incredible loyalty and forgiveness!
"Now, my children," Benjamin implores, "love ye the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, and observe His commandments, taking that good and pious man Joseph as your model." He emphasizes Joseph's unwavering commitment to concealing his brothers' betrayal, even after God revealed the truth to Jacob. Joseph only confessed when Jacob implored him, and even then, he begged their father to pray for his brothers, that God would not hold their actions against them. Jacob, in turn, exclaimed, "O my good child Joseph, thou hast shown thyself more merciful than I was!"
It’s a powerful testament to the transformative power of forgiveness.
Benjamin urges his children to imitate Joseph's mercy with pure intention, promising that they, too, may wear crowns of glory. He speaks of the qualities of a good person: lacking envy, showing mercy to all, even sinners, and conquering evil through good deeds, as ordained by God. "If you do good, the unclean spirits will depart from you, and even the wild beasts will stand in fear of you."
He warns them about the influence of the tempter spirit Behar and the malice of Beliar, whose sword represents seven evils: bloodshed, corruption, error, captivity, hunger, panic, and devastation. He uses the example of Cain, who was punished for slaying Abel, to illustrate the consequences of evil deeds. We find this echoed in Midrash Rabbah (Genesis 22:12), which elaborates on the severity of Cain's punishment.
Benjamin concludes his address with a final charge: "Practice truth and righteousness, and observe the law of the Lord and also His commandments. This I bequeath unto you as your sole heritage, and you shall leave it to your children as an eternal possession." He reminds them of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who passed down the same instructions. He envisions a future where they will witness the resurrection of the righteous and pay homage to the King of the heavens.
His final request is simple: to be buried near his fathers in Hebron. After these words, Benjamin passes away, and his sons carry out his wishes, secretly transporting his bones to Hebron during their ninety-first year in Egypt, as Ginzberg describes. They then return to Egypt, awaiting the Exodus.
Benjamin's final words are a powerful reminder of the importance of forgiveness, righteousness, and unwavering faith. They challenge us to emulate Joseph's example, to choose mercy over resentment, and to strive for goodness in all our actions. What legacy will we leave behind? What stories will our descendants tell about us? Perhaps, like Benjamin, we can inspire them to choose the path of love, forgiveness, and unwavering devotion to a higher purpose.