פרשת ויגש - סוד הגלויות

The Courage to Confront: Yehuda, Yosef, and the Secret of Redemption

The episode of Binyamin’s arrest is deeply puzzling. Earlier, Yosef imprisoned all the brothers for three days without provocation, and later had Shimon bound before their eyes — struck by Menashe with overwhelming force. Shimon immediately sensed that such power could only come from the house of Yaakov, as Chazal explain. If so, why now, when Yosef seeks to take only Binyamin, do the brothers suddenly lose all fear? They have already seen that their cries impressed even Pharaoh’s mighty warriors, yet left Yosef and Menashe unmoved. When all were imprisoned, they did not challenge Yosef — but now, over a single brother, they are prepared to risk the destruction of all Egypt. What changed?

Equally surprising are Yehuda’s arguments. He approaches a ruler who has acted with cruelty toward them, a man who, on the surface, is no different from any other Egyptian who despises Hebrews. Why would Yehuda attempt to arouse his compassion? Does Yehuda truly believe that a foreign ruler would care about the suffering of a Jewish soul? Quite the opposite — wouldn’t such suffering only fuel his cruelty? And yet Yehuda speaks with emotional intensity, as if he senses that mercy can be awakened in Yosef’s heart.

Even if we follow the Midrashic explanation that Yehuda offers himself because he is stronger than Binyamin, why would this persuade Yosef? Yosef is viceroy over the entire world, no fool, and fully aware of the dynamics before him. Egyptian law punishes the thief himself; no substitute can be taken in his place. If so, what do Yehuda’s claims accomplish? What is he truly trying to achieve — and what deeper truth does he sense beneath Yosef’s harsh exterior?

Join the shiur as we uncover the hidden turning point of this dramatic confrontation, as illuminated by the teachings of the Zohar and the Ari HaKadosh, revealing the inner recognition and spiritual realignment that transforms harsh judgment into compassion.

Shiur by Rabbi Fridmann — Badatz Miami
📖 www.badatzmiami.com