share torah logo

Genesis 37:22 - Reuben's secret rescue plan?

Genesis 37:22 - בראשית 37:22

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם רְאוּבֵן אַל־תִּשְׁפְּכוּ־דָם הַשְׁלִיכוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל־הַבּוֹר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר בַּמִּדְבָּר וְיָד אַל־תִּשְׁלְחוּ־בוֹ לְמַעַן הַצִּיל אֹתוֹ מִיָּדָם לַהֲשִׁיבוֹ אֶל־אָבִיו׃

English Translation

And Re᾽uven said to them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might save him out of their hands, to deliver him back to his father.

Transliteration

Va'yomer alehem Reuven al tishp'khu-dam hashlikhu oto el-habor hazeh asher bamidbar v'yad al-tishl'khu-vo l'ma'an hatzil oto miyadam l'hashivo el-aviv.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֣ם <small>׀</small> רְאוּבֵן֮ אַל־תִּשְׁפְּכוּ־דָם֒ הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ אֹת֗וֹ אֶל־הַבּ֤וֹר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְיָ֖ד אַל־תִּשְׁלְחוּ־ב֑וֹ לְמַ֗עַן הַצִּ֤יל אֹתוֹ֙ מִיָּדָ֔ם לַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹ אֶל־אָבִֽיו׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֣ם ׀ רְאוּבֵן֮ אַל־תִּשְׁפְּכוּ־דָם֒ הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ אֹת֗וֹ אֶל־הַבּ֤וֹר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְיָ֖ד אַל־תִּשְׁלְחוּ־ב֑וֹ לְמַ֗עַן הַצִּ֤יל אֹתוֹ֙ מִיָּדָ֔ם לַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹ אֶל־אָבִֽיו׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Reuven's Intervention in the Sale of Yosef

The verse describes Reuven's attempt to save Yosef from his brothers' murderous intentions by suggesting they throw him into a pit instead. Rashi (Bereshit 37:22) explains that Reuven's plan was to later return and rescue Yosef from the pit, as he intended to "restore him to his father." This demonstrates Reuven's sense of responsibility as the firstborn.

The Nature of the Pit

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 84:15) notes that this pit was specifically "in the wilderness" and empty of water, based on the brothers' later statement (37:24). Ramban (Bereshit 37:22) adds that Reuven chose this option because a waterless pit wouldn't pose immediate danger of drowning, giving him time to implement his rescue plan.

Reuven's Motivation

  • The Sforno explains that Reuven acted out of filial duty to spare Yaakov the grief of losing a son.
  • Rabbeinu Bachya suggests Reuven was motivated by teshuvah (repentance) for his earlier misdeeds (35:22), seeking to rectify his past through this act of saving a brother.
  • The Kli Yakar notes that Reuven's words "lay no hand upon him" imply he wanted to prevent any physical harm to Yosef.

Theological Implications

The Talmud (Shabbat 22a) derives from this episode that one should not place a vessel under a drip on Shabbat, using Reuven's phrase "lay no hand upon him" as a prooftext about passive versus active involvement. This shows how the Sages found deeper halachic meaning in the narrative.

Contrast with Yehuda's Approach

Later commentators contrast Reuven's approach with Yehuda's suggestion to sell Yosef (37:26-27). While Reuven sought complete rescue, Yehuda proposed a compromise that still removed Yosef from the family. This foreshadows their different leadership styles seen later in the Torah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 22b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the actions of Reuben and the ethical considerations of saving a life.
📖 Sanhedrin 6b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the moral and legal implications of Reuben's attempt to save Joseph.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was Reuben's plan to save Joseph in Genesis 37:22?
A: Reuben, the eldest brother, suggested throwing Joseph into a pit instead of killing him, intending to later rescue Joseph and return him to their father Jacob (Rashi on Genesis 37:22). This shows Reuben's attempt to prevent a grave sin while still appeasing his brothers.
Q: Why did Reuben want to save Joseph in this verse?
A: As the firstborn, Reuben felt responsible to prevent his brothers from committing murder (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayeshev 2). He also likely wanted to regain his father's favor after losing his birthright (Genesis 35:22, Rashi).
Q: What is the significance of the pit mentioned in Genesis 37:22?
A: The pit was empty with no water (Genesis 37:24), meaning Joseph wouldn't drown but would still suffer. The Talmud (Shabbat 22a) notes this detail shows the brothers' cruelty while Reuben tried to mitigate it. The wilderness location made rescue difficult.
Q: How does Reuben's action in this verse teach us about conflict resolution?
A: Reuben demonstrates the Jewish value of finding middle ground - he didn't directly oppose his brothers but created a delay tactic to prevent violence (Rambam, Hilchot De'ot 1:4 on wise dispute resolution). However, his indirect approach ultimately failed when Judah later suggested selling Joseph.
Q: Why does the Torah tell us Reuben's secret intention to rescue Joseph?
A: The Torah reveals Reuben's true plan to show that even in difficult family conflicts, there are often voices trying to do right (Sforno). It also explains why Reuben later returned to the pit (Genesis 37:29) - he was checking on his rescue plan.