We often focus on the main narrative, but Jewish tradition is rich with interpretations that fill in the gaps, offering deeper insights into the characters and their motivations. Let’s take a look at a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah 84, which elaborates on the story of Joseph and his brothers.
The verse in Genesis 37:29 tells us, "Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit, and he rent his garments." But the Rabbis of the Midrash ask a crucial question: where had Reuben been all this time?
Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua offer an explanation. Rabbi Eliezer suggests that Reuben was preoccupied with repentance, wearing sackcloth and fasting. He was atoning for his transgression involving Bilha (Genesis 35:22). Only when he felt he had sufficiently repented did he return to the pit. This simple act of returning, of seeking to right a wrong, becomes incredibly significant.
The Midrash goes on to say that God recognized Reuben’s initiative in repentance. "A person has never sinned before Me and repented, and you are the first to initiate repentance," God says. "As you live, your descendant will arise and be the first to initiate repentance." What a powerful statement! Reuben's lineage will produce someone who teaches the world about the transformative power of teshuvah (repentance).
And who is this descendant? According to Yefe To’ar, it's Hosea! The prophet who famously calls out to Israel, “Return, Israel, to the Lord your God” (Hosea 14:2). Imagine that: Reuben’s personal struggle, his remorse and return, sets the stage for a prophet who will call an entire nation back to God. The Midrash even suggests that Reuben's actions paved the way for understanding that repentance, when motivated by love, can transform sins into merits.
Now, let's turn our attention to another part of the story: the brothers' deception. Genesis 37:31 tells us, "They took Joseph’s tunic, and slaughtered a goat, and dipped the tunic in the blood." Why a goat? The Midrash points out a chilling detail: because its blood resembles human blood. This adds another layer of calculated cruelty to their act.
Then comes the moment when they present the tunic to Jacob: "They sent the fine tunic, and they brought it to their father and said: We found this. Identify, please: Is it your son’s tunic or not?” (Genesis 37:32).
Rabbi Yoḥanan, in the Midrash, sees a divine echo in this moment. God says to Judah, "You said: 'Identify, please'; as you live, Tamar will say to you: 'Identify, please'” (Genesis 38:25). This is a direct reference to the story where Judah unknowingly fathers children with his daughter-in-law Tamar, who later challenges him to identify his own signet and staff. It’s a fascinating example of middah k’neged middah – measure for measure – where actions have consequences that mirror the original deed.
Finally, we have Jacob's reaction: "He identified it and said: My son’s tunic! A savage beast devoured him; Joseph has been mauled" (Genesis 37:33). But the Midrash suggests there's more to it than meets the eye. "He identified it and said: My son’s tunic" – he said: I do not know what I am seeing." According to the Maharzu, Jacob, who was usually blessed with a high level of perception through the Divine Spirit, was clouded, unsure of what he was truly seeing. The clarity he once possessed had vanished.
Rav Huna adds another layer of interpretation. "A savage beast devoured him" – this is Potifar's wife. Even though Jacob himself may not have fully understood what was happening, the Divine Spirit flashed within him, hinting at the future temptation Joseph would face in Egypt. This is a powerful reminder that even in moments of confusion and despair, there can be glimpses of truth and future events.
So what do we take away from this deep dive into Bereshit Rabbah? The story of Joseph isn't just a straightforward narrative. It's a tapestry woven with layers of meaning, divine echoes, and hidden connections. The actions of individuals reverberate through generations, and even in the darkest of times, the potential for repentance and redemption remains. It makes you wonder what seemingly small actions we take today might ripple outwards into the future.