The verse says, "He raised his voice in weeping…. And his brothers could not answer him" (Genesis 45:2-3). It's a powerful moment! But what does it really mean?
Well, Abba Kohen Bardela uses this scene to launch into a fascinating meditation on judgment and rebuke. He says, "Woe unto us from the Day of Judgment; woe unto us from the day of rebuke!" Why such strong words?
He draws a parallel. If Joseph, the youngest of the tribes, could render his brothers speechless with his rebuke, what hope do we have when facing divine judgment? It's a sobering thought! He even brings up Balaam, the non-Jewish prophet, whose own donkey managed to verbally rebuke him (Numbers 22:30). If Balaam, a "wise man of the idolaters," couldn't withstand the rebuke of his donkey, how can we possibly withstand the rebuke of the Holy One, blessed be He?
The Midrash reminds us that God will "reprove each and every one according to his status," as it says in Psalms 50:21: "I would reprove you and set it before your eyes." It's a stark reminder that we will each be held accountable.
But then, the story shifts. Joseph, realizing the fear he's instilled, tries to reassure his brothers. He invites them closer. "Please approach me, and they approached." What does he do next? He shows them the sign of the covenant, the brit milah, the circumcision. "I am Joseph," he declares, solidifying his identity and easing their fears.
Then comes the crucial line: "And now, it was not you that sent me here, but God. He made me into a father to Pharaoh, and into a lord for all his house, and ruler over the entire land of Egypt" (Genesis 45:8). It's a remarkable act of forgiveness and a profound theological statement. Joseph isn't excusing his brothers' actions, but he is reframing them within a larger divine plan.
The Midrash then unpacks Joseph’s titles: "He made me into a father to Pharaoh, [and into a lord [uladon] for all his house, and ruler [umoshel] over…]." It clarifies that he was a patron to the king, an uladon – a lord, and a umoshel – a ruler. Each word emphasizes his elevated status and power, a power ultimately bestowed upon him by God.
Joseph urges his brothers, "Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him: So said your son Joseph: God has made me lord for all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry" (Genesis 45:9). The Midrash highlights the urgency: "Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him – do not miss the opportunity." Don't delay! Time is of the essence in mending this fractured family.
Finally, Joseph offers further proof of his identity: "And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that is speaking to you" (Genesis 45:12). And what language is he speaking? "That it is my mouth that is speaking to you – in the sacred tongue," the lashon hakodesh, Hebrew. It's a final, undeniable confirmation of his identity and his connection to their shared heritage.
So, what are we left with? It's a complex mix of emotions: fear of judgment, the relief of forgiveness, and the reaffirmation of identity. Joseph's story, as interpreted by the Rabbis, reminds us of the power of repentance, the possibility of redemption, and the enduring strength of family, even in the face of immense challenges. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How would we react in a similar situation? And what can we learn from Joseph's example about forgiveness and reconciliation in our own lives?