It can make you feel like you can take on the world.
That's the feeling that must have coursed through Joseph's brothers as they strode back into the Egyptian city. Remember, these weren't just any brothers – these were the sons of Jacob, a lineage destined for greatness. And right now, they were feeling anything but humble.
According to Legends of the Jews, Ginzberg recounts how they saw this massive metropolis as nothing more than a tiny village, a mere “hamlet of ten persons,” easily crushed. Can you imagine that kind of bravado? They were ready for anything.
They were led to Joseph, the very Joseph they had betrayed years ago. But something was different this time. He wasn't holding court in the usual public forum. No, he was waiting for them at home. Why? Ginzberg suggests it was to spare them public humiliation. A fascinating detail, hinting at Joseph's complex emotions, wouldn't you say?
As they entered his presence, they prostrated themselves before him. The dream Joseph had so long ago, the one that had fueled their jealousy and hatred – it was coming true. The eleven stars bowing down – a prophecy fulfilled. It’s a powerful image, isn't it?
But beneath the surface of this seemingly submissive act, a storm was brewing. Judah, fierce and loyal, was seething. "Verily," he said to his brothers, "this man hath forced me to come back hither only that I should destroy the city on this day."
Talk about a dramatic turn! It's a stark reminder that even in moments of apparent surrender, the embers of defiance can still burn bright. What do you think fueled Judah's rage? Was it loyalty to his brothers? A sense of injustice? Or something else entirely? This moment, thick with tension, sets the stage for what's to come. And leaves us wondering: what will Judah do?