Take the tale of Joseph and his brothers. We often focus on the grand reconciliation, the forgiveness, the happy ending in Egypt. But what about the really prickly parts?
Bereshit Rabbah 93, a fascinating passage from the classic Midrashic collection, throws a spotlight on the intense dynamic between Joseph and Judah. It all starts with a verse from Psalms 48:5: “Behold, the kings convened, passed together.” But who are these "kings"?
According to the Rabbis, the kings are none other than Judah and Joseph. Now, the verse says they "passed together" — avru in Hebrew. But the Midrash cleverly links avru to evra, which means "fury." So, Bereshit Rabbah suggests they “passed together” in the sense that each one “became filled with fury” against the other! Can you feel the heat?
The text continues, drawing parallels between Psalms and the actual narrative in Genesis. When the brothers are astonished (Psalms 48:6), it's linked to the moment in Genesis 43:33 when "the men wondered to one another." And when Psalms 48:6 speaks of terror and hastening, it echoes Joseph's revelation in Genesis 45:3: "I am Joseph; does my father still live?" — a moment that leaves his brothers speechless and alarmed.
But here's where it gets really interesting. “A fearful trembling seized them there” (Psalms 45:6). Who’s trembling? The other tribes, the rest of the brothers. They’re witnessing this clash of titans, this simmering conflict between Judah and Joseph, and they're thinking, "Kings are contending with one another; of what concern is it to us?" Yikes.
The Midrash suggests they felt it wasn't their place to intervene. "It is appropriate for a king to contend with a king." A pretty hands-off approach, wouldn’t you say?
Then comes the line "Judah approached him." The Midrash connects this to Job 41:8: "One approaches another." Again, it's Judah and Joseph. And then, chillingly, "Not even a breath comes between them" — but this, again, refers back to the tribes! The other brothers are holding back, thinking, "Kings are contending with one another; of what concern is it to us?"
What does it all mean? Well, Bereshit Rabbah isn't just giving us a play-by-play. It’s offering a deeper understanding of the power dynamics within the family of Jacob. It’s showing us that even in moments of apparent unity, there can be underlying tensions, rivalries, and a reluctance to get involved in someone else's fight.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How often do we see conflict brewing around us and choose to stay out of it, thinking it's not our place? And what are the consequences of that choice? Maybe the story of Joseph and Judah isn’t just about reconciliation, but also about the responsibility we have to each other, even when things get messy.