One such story, expanded upon in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, concerns Asenath, Joseph's wife. Remember the dramatic reunion of Joseph and his brothers? It turns out there was more to that scene than meets the eye. According to the legend, Asenath found herself pleading for the lives of the sons of the handmaids, the secondary wives of Jacob.
Imagine the scene: Leah's sons, fueled by years of resentment and guilt over selling Joseph into slavery, are ready to exact revenge. Simon, especially, is unyielding. He believes their sins are overflowing and demands retribution for the pain they caused their father, Jacob. But Asenath throws herself before them, begging them to show mercy.
And here’s where the story gets really interesting. Asenath, through her heartfelt pleas, manages to soften Simon's rage. And she had a secret weapon, too. Levi, the prophet, secretly sympathized with her. He knew where the sons of the handmaids were hidden, but he didn't reveal their location to Simon, fearing it would only intensify his wrath. It's a fascinating glimpse into the internal conflicts and hidden alliances within the family.
But the drama doesn't end there. Remember Benjamin, the youngest brother, Joseph's full brother, and the one who held a special place in Jacob's heart? In the heat of the moment, he severely wounds Pharaoh's son. Levi, demonstrating incredible compassion, intervenes. Instead of letting Benjamin finish him off, he washes the son of Pharaoh's wounds, places him in a chariot, and returns him to his father. Pharaoh, understandably, is deeply grateful for Levi's act of chesed, loving-kindness.
Sadly, the son of Pharaoh doesn't survive. Three days later, he succumbs to his injuries. Overwhelmed by grief, Pharaoh himself soon follows, dying at the age of one hundred and seventy-seven.
What happens next? According to this legend, Pharaoh leaves his crown to Joseph, who then rules over Egypt for forty-eight years. Ultimately, Joseph passes the crown on to Pharaoh's grandchild, an infant he had essentially raised as his own son. It’s a fitting end, isn’t it? A story of betrayal and revenge ultimately giving way to one of compassion and redemption, with Joseph ensuring the continuity of the Egyptian dynasty through his own acts of fatherly love.
This expanded narrative gives us a richer, more nuanced understanding of the characters involved. It reminds us that even within the grand sweep of biblical history, there are countless individual stories of human struggle, compassion, and ultimately, hope. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what other hidden narratives lie waiting to be discovered within the sacred texts?