Reuven Saves Yosef

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  1. Reuven's Attempt to Save Yosef

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    Why does Reuven tell the brother “do not sin against the child” when he was the one to throw him in the pit? A close look at the sale of Yosef shows that Reuven attempted to save Yosef from the brothers at an earlier stage. This article discusses the literary “flashback.”

  2. Yosef's Teshuva

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    The second half of the book of Genesis describes the Teshuva process of Yaakov’s sons. The first to repent is Reuven; who had tried to prevent the selling of Yosef; and by this atone for his act with Bilhah. Next; Yehuda atones for his actions in the Tamar incident; and goes so far as to offer himself in exchange for Benjamin. Finally; all of the brothers atone for the sin of selling Yosef by proclaiming “we are guilty.” Yosef also undergoes a process of Teshuva; by purchasing land from the Egyptians; and by concealing his brothers’ sin from his father.

  3. The Last Days of Jerusalem

    Part 2

    Rabbi David Sabato

    The chapter opens with a difficult prophecy of Yirmiyahu to the people, which is delivered in the presence of the princes of Yehuda. Yirmiyahu holds fast to his prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, but he now goes even further and preaches to the people that they should go out to the Babylonians and surrender. Delivering this prophecy in public is a justification for killing Yirmiyahu for weakening the spirit of the fighters and lowering the people's morale in a time of crisis. Like in the previous chapter, Yirmiyahu is accused of a crime, however, the respective positions become more extreme, and the consequences become harsher and more severe. Yirmiyahu is saved only by a non-Jewish attendant of the king.

    Yirmiyahu being thrown into the pit is reminiscent of Yosef being thrown into the pit. In both instances the majority overrules a single opinion and throws the person in question into the pit, in an attempt to indirectly kill him. Just as Yosef’s intentions towards his brothers were misunderstood, so too Yirmiyahu sought the welfare of the people, but was accused of being a traitor. Just as Yosef prepared his family for their first exile, so too Yirmiyahu is preparing the nation for their first exile. Both Yosef and Yirmiyahu see the future, but their visions arouse the anger of those around them.

    Tzidkiyahu stands between two forces: the political pressure of his ministers, on the one hand, and the truth of Yirmiyahu's prophecies on the other. His hesitation and fear of his princes overcome his recognition of the truth in the words of Yirmiyahu. Tzidkiyahu prefers to adhere to the known position of refusing to surrender and passively preserve the status quo, rather than to change his perception and policy in the wake of reality and the prophecy and to adopt the clear-eyed policy of Yirmiyahu, against the advice of his princes.

    Tzidkiyahu's portrayal in these chapters is not that of an evil or dense king, but rather that of a weak and spineless one. Tzidkiyahu's inability to stand up to the pressures of his princes, despite his personal acquaintance with Yirmiyahu, wipe out the last chance to save Jerusalem and lead to its destruction.

  4. Yosef - Tanakh Profiles

    Rabbi Jonathan Mishkin

  5. The Sins of Biblical Figures

    Part 2

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    Two fundamental approaches exist regarding three incidents involving Avraham: one maintains that the plain reading of the text suggests that the acts in question were wrong – perhaps even serious sins – and are recorded with a view to instructing the readers how not to behave. The other view seeks to cast their actions in a positive light and regards them as a model for emulation.

    Those who seek a favorable interpretation of all questionable actions of biblical characters rely, as one of their central sources, on a well-known discussion in Massekhet Shabbat (55b-56b) which lists six figures who seem, according to the plain text, to have committed various transgressions – some of them extremely serious ones. In each case, Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani teaches, in the name of Rabbi Yonatan, that "anyone who says that so-and-so sinned, is simply mistaken."

  6. Who Really Sold Yosef?

    Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

    Conventional wisdom says that Yehuda suggested that the brothers sell Yosef, the brothers accepted the suggestion and subsequently Yosef was sold. When he reveals himself to his brothers, Yosef says to them, "I am Yosef who you sold to Egypt!" Therefore, it appears that the answer to our question is Yosef's brothers. This is the position of the Rashi.

    However, a closer reading of the story, combined with the geographical details of the story, make it feasible that the brothers did not sell Yosef, as is the position of Rashbam, Rashi's grandson. If that is true, the brothers suggested killing Yosef, leaving him to die in a pit and selling him but never actually went through with any of these suggestions.

  7. Reuven and Yosef - Groundwork for the City of Refuge?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  8. Seforno on Reuven's Redeeming Move

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  9. Reuven's Misguided Mistakes

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  10. Reuven's (Midrashic) Dream Interpretation

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  11. Yosef in the Pit and Hannuka Candles at a High Height

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  12. Who Sold Yosef - and What was Reuven's Plan

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  13. Reuven's Hidden Message in his Words to Yaakov

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  14. Miketz: Was Reuven a "foolish oldest son"?

    Rabbi Gad Eldad

    Why does Reuven offer for Yaakov to sacrifice his two sons if something happens to Binyamin - especialy when Reuven has four sons, not two? How is his statement connected to the Yehuda and Tamar story? Is Reuven trying to implicate Yehuda for his role in the selling of Yosef?

    And what lessons is the Torah teaching us about the role of the firstborn?