The Bible gives us a glimpse, but the Jewish tradition, particularly in works like Legends of the Jews by Ginzberg, really fills in the emotional and narrative gaps.
The reunion, after years of separation and Joseph's rise to power, was intensely emotional. Especially with Benjamin, Joseph's full brother, finally standing before him. Ginzberg paints a picture of Joseph seeing a reflection of their father, Jacob, in Benjamin. He ordered his steward, Manasseh (also his son), to prepare a feast.
But this wasn’t just any meal. Joseph, even before the formal revelation of the Torah, observed the Sabbath! So, this was a special Sabbath meal. To ease their concerns about ritual purity, Joseph made sure his brothers saw the animals slaughtered according to Jewish law – removing the gid hanasheh, the sinew of the hip (Genesis 32:33).
Can you picture the scene? Despite the invitation, the brothers were wary. They suspected a trap, fearing it was a ploy to seize them and their donkeys because of the mysteriously returned money. They were so concerned that they equated the loss of their animals with the loss of their freedom. They told the steward they were in reduced circumstances and now depended on him, offering the money they had found. The steward reassured them, saying God had caused them to find a treasure. He then brought out Simon, who, according to the text, had grown quite stout during his time in Egypt and assured his brothers of the good treatment he was receiving.
When Joseph finally appeared, Judah presented Benjamin, and they all bowed before him. Joseph questioned them about their father and grandfather. From their words, "Thy servant our father is well; he is yet alive," Joseph understood that his grandfather Isaac had passed away. Midrash Rabbah tells us Isaac died when Joseph was released from prison. God’s joy in Joseph's liberation was mingled with sorrow for Isaac’s passing.
Then, Judah handed Joseph a letter from their father. Overcome by the familiar handwriting, Joseph had to excuse himself to weep. Returning, he blessed Benjamin with the words, "God be gracious unto thee, my son." This blessing, Ginzberg suggests, compensated Benjamin for not being included in a previous blessing from Jacob.
The meal itself was divided into three sections: one for Joseph, one for his brothers, and one for the Egyptians. The sons of Jacob hesitated to eat, afraid the food wasn’t prepared according to Jewish law. As a result, the text tells us this was a punishment for Joseph for having previously accused his brothers of not observing the dietary laws. The Egyptians, on the other hand, couldn't eat with the sons of Jacob because they worshipped animals the Israelites consumed.
According to Legends of the Jews, Joseph, feigning knowledge, assigned seats to his brothers according to their age and status. He seated sons of the same mother together. And then came Benjamin. Joseph declared he would sit next to Benjamin, as the youngest had no full brother to sit beside, and Joseph, of course, was in a similar position. The brothers were astonished.
During the meal, Joseph showered Benjamin with extra portions, followed by his wife Asenath, and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Benjamin received four times the portions of his brothers! It was the first time in twenty-two years that Joseph and his brothers tasted wine together. They had been living like Nazarites, those who abstain from wine, the brothers because of their guilt over Joseph, and Joseph because of his grief for his father.
Joseph then engaged Benjamin in conversation. He asked about his family, his wife, and his ten sons, asking the meaning behind their unusual names: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. Benjamin explained each name was a memorial to Joseph and his suffering: Bela, because Joseph disappeared; Becher, because he was their mother’s firstborn; Ashbel, because he was taken from their father; Gera, because he was a stranger in a strange land; Naaman, because he was lovely; Ehi, because they shared both parents; Rosh, because he was the head of the brothers; Muppim, because he was beautiful; Huppim, because he was slandered; and Ard, because he was as beautiful as a rose.
Then, Joseph used his magic astrolabe, a device that revealed hidden truths, and asked Benjamin if he knew anything about this type of wisdom. Benjamin revealed that he was also skilled in wisdom, taught to him by their father. Looking at the astrolabe, Benjamin shockingly realized the man on the throne was Joseph.
"What hast thou seen?" Joseph asked, noticing Benjamin's astonishment.
"I can see by this that Joseph my brother sitteth here before me upon the throne," Benjamin replied.
Joseph confirmed his identity but cautioned Benjamin to secrecy. He planned to test his brothers’ loyalty. He would send them home, then have them brought back, and see if they would fight for Benjamin’s freedom. If they did, Joseph would know they had truly repented. He then inquired about what they had told their father after selling him into slavery, hearing the story of the coat dipped in blood. Joseph recounted his own experience after being sold: being stripped, given an apron, and driven off by the Ishmaelites after being sold.
Finally, Joseph dismissed his brothers. He let them start their journey home, but not at night. He feared they would get into a fight with his servants, and knew the sons of Jacob were like wild beasts at night, according to the text.
What does this extended reunion story tell us? It’s more than just a family drama. It's a story about repentance, reconciliation, and the enduring bonds of brotherhood. It shows us how even after years of pain and separation, forgiveness and love can still triumph. And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there's always the potential for a new beginning.