That’s where Judah found himself in the biblical story of Joseph. Let's dive into a powerful moment from that saga, as illuminated by the ancient commentary of Bereshit Rabbah.
The verse we’re focusing on is "Judah approached him." (Genesis 44:18). Simple enough, right? But the Rabbis, those master interpreters of scripture, see so much more beneath the surface. They connect this moment to a verse from Proverbs (25:11): "Like golden apples in silver ornaments is a well-turned phrase."
Now, Akilas, a fascinating figure – a proselyte, someone who converted to Judaism – translates this verse a little differently: "Golden apples in silver bowls." What's the difference, and why does it matter?
The Rabbis in Bereshit Rabbah 93 use this to highlight the power of Judah’s words. The Hebrew for "a well-turned phrase" is davar davur al ofanav. The key word here is ofan, which means "wheel." Just as a wheel shows its face on all sides, so too were Judah's words deemed logical and persuasive to everyone involved in the tense confrontation with Joseph. Every angle, every perspective, was considered. He left no stone unturned.
Think about that for a moment. Judah wasn't just speaking; he was crafting his words with care, presenting his argument in a way that resonated with everyone present. It was a masterclass in diplomacy, born of desperation and love for his brother Benjamin and his father Jacob.
But there's another layer to this interpretation. The Rabbis continue, connecting Judah’s approach to another verse from Proverbs (20:5): "Like deep water is counsel in the heart of a man…" This is such a vivid image. Imagine a deep well, filled with cool, refreshing water. The water is there, it's good, but it's inaccessible. No one can reach it.
This, they say, is like the counsel hidden within a person's heart. It's valuable, but how do you bring it to the surface? How do you access it? The commentary explains that someone had to tie rope to rope, thread to thread, cord to cord, to finally draw that water up. Once they did, everyone could drink and be refreshed.
This is what Judah did with Joseph. He didn’t give up. He kept responding to Joseph, addressing each point, each concern, until he finally touched Joseph’s heart. He painstakingly pieced together an argument so compelling, so emotionally resonant, that it broke through Joseph’s carefully constructed defenses. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, Judah’s persistence, his carefully chosen words, were the key to unlocking the compassion hidden deep within Joseph.
It's a powerful lesson, isn't it? Sometimes, the most valuable resources – understanding, compassion, reconciliation – are hidden deep within us, or within others. It takes effort, persistence, and carefully chosen words to bring them to the surface. Just like drawing water from a deep well, it requires connecting different strands, different perspectives, until we reach the source.
So, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, remember Judah’s example. Remember the golden apples in silver bowls, the wheel that shows its face on all sides, and the deep well waiting to be tapped. Your words, carefully chosen and persistently delivered, might just be the key to unlocking a miracle.