Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Vayigash Rishon: Yehuda contends with Yosef to release Binyamin (Sunday, 1st Teves)

Q1: What does “דָבָר בְּאָזְנֵי אֲדֹנִי” mean in Yehudah’s plea?

A: Rashi explains it means “May my words enter your ears”—a request for Yosef to listen attentively.

Q2: Why does Yehudah say “וְאַל־יִחַר אַפְּךָ” (Do not become angry)?

A: From here we learn that Yehudah spoke harshly and boldly, fearing Yosef’s wrath.

Q3: What is the meaning of “כִּי כָמוֹךָ כְּפַרְעֹה” (For you are the equal of Pharaoh)?

A:

• Peshat (simple meaning): Yosef is as important as Pharaoh.
• Midrashic explanations:
  1. You will be stricken with tzara’at like Pharaoh was for detaining Sarah.
  2. Just as Pharaoh makes promises but does not fulfill them, so do you.
  3. If you anger me, I will kill you and your master!

Q4: Why did Yehudah accuse Yosef of asking unnecessary questions about their family?

A: Rashi says Yehudah argued: “Were we asking for your daughter in marriage or you for our sister? Why did you need to ask about our father and brother?”

Q5: Why did the brothers say “וְאָחִיו מֵת” (His brother is dead) when Yosef was alive?

A: Out of fear—they worried Yosef would demand to see him if they admitted he was alive.

Q6: What does “וְעָזַב אֶת־אָבִיו וָמֵֽת” mean?

A: Rashi explains they feared Binyamin might die on the journey, as his mother Rachel died traveling.

Q7: Why does Yaakov say “וְקָרָהוּ אָסוֹן” (If disaster befalls him)?

A: Rashi teaches that Satan prosecutes at times of danger, increasing risk during travel.

Q8: What is the deeper meaning of “וְהֽוֹרַדְתֶּם אֶת־שֵֽׂיבָתִי” (You will bring my white-haired head down to the grave)?

A: Rashi explains that losing Binyamin would feel like losing Rachel and Yosef on the same day, leaving Yaakov inconsolable.

Q9: Why does Yehudah emphasize “נַפְשׁוֹ קְשׁוּרָה בְנַפְשׁוֹ” (His soul is bound up with his soul)?

A: To show Yosef that Binyamin’s absence would break Yaakov completely, as their lives are intertwined.