This moment, fraught with tension and brotherly love disguised as animosity, is explored in a fascinating passage from Bereshit Rabbah 93.
The story opens with a quote from Ecclesiastes (7:19): “Wisdom will fortify the wise more than ten rulers who were in a city.” But what does this have to do with Judah and Joseph? According to Rabbi Yoḥanan, this verse speaks directly to Joseph's righteous character and the incredible predicament he orchestrates.
Joseph, having risen to power in Egypt, tests his brothers by accusing Benjamin of stealing his goblet. He declares that Benjamin must remain as his slave, while the others can return to their father, Jacob, in peace. Can you imagine the horror? Judah, who had guaranteed Benjamin's safe return, refuses to accept this outcome.
Judah confronts Joseph, and that’s when things escalate dramatically. Bereshit Rabbah tells us that Judah roared in anger, a roar so powerful it traveled four hundred parsangs – an ancient unit of distance, roughly equivalent to a league – until it reached Ḥushim son of Dan. Now, Ḥushim wasn't just any guy; he was a formidable warrior himself. He immediately rushed to Judah's aid.
The text evokes a primal scene: “Both of them roared and the land of Egypt was on the verge of being upended.” It's a moment of pure, unadulterated rage and brotherly loyalty. The Midrash even draws a parallel to Job (4:10): “The roar of the lion and the voice of the great cat.” Judah is likened to a lion, as it is written, "Judah is a lion cub" (Genesis 49:9), and Ḥushim son of Dan is also likened to a lion. Talk about an intimidating pair!
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi adds that when the other brothers saw Judah's fury, they too were consumed by anger. They kicked the ground, creating furrows, like lions deprived of their prey. Judah, willing to risk his own life for Benjamin, fears he might be punished for his past deception of his father regarding Joseph's disappearance. He thinks, perhaps this act of self-sacrifice will atone for his previous sin.
What was Joseph's reaction to all this? He was shaken, alarmed by the signs of Judah's rage. The text offers some vivid descriptions: Some say blood flowed from Judah's eyes. Others say that when angered, a single hair over his heart would rip through five layers of armor!
In response, Joseph kicked the stone pillar he was seated upon, reducing it to pebbles. This display of strength astonished Judah, who recognized Joseph's superior power. Yet, when Judah tried to draw his sword, he couldn't. He understood then that Joseph must be a God-fearing man, thus echoing the verse: “Wisdom will fortify the wise” (Ecclesiastes 7:19). Here, "wisdom" is understood as yirat Hashem – fear of God.
What a powerful moment! It’s a testament to the strength of family bonds, the consequences of past actions, and the recognition of a higher power. It makes you wonder: what hidden strengths do we possess that are only revealed in moments of extreme pressure? And what does it truly mean to be both powerful and God-fearing?