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Genesis 43:5 - Brothers' plea for unity?

Genesis 43:5 - בראשית 43:5

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־אֵינְךָ מְשַׁלֵּחַ לֹא נֵרֵד כִּי־הָאִישׁ אָמַר אֵלֵינוּ לֹא־תִרְאוּ פָנַי בִּלְתִּי אֲחִיכֶם אִתְּכֶם׃

English Translation

but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said to us, You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.

Transliteration

Ve-im-einekha meshale'ach lo nered ki-ha-ish amar eleinu lo-tir'u fanai bilti achikhem itkhem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־אֵינְךָ֥ מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ לֹ֣א נֵרֵ֑ד כִּֽי־הָאִ֞ישׁ אָמַ֤ר אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙ לֹֽא־תִרְא֣וּ פָנַ֔י בִּלְתִּ֖י אֲחִיכֶ֥ם אִתְּכֶֽם׃
וְאִם־אֵינְךָ֥ מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ לֹ֣א נֵרֵ֑ד כִּֽי־הָאִ֞ישׁ אָמַ֤ר אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙ לֹֽא־תִרְא֣וּ פָנַ֔י בִּלְתִּ֖י אֲחִיכֶ֥ם אִתְּכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah Narrative

This verse (Genesis 43:5) is part of the dialogue between Yaakov (Jacob) and his sons regarding their return to Egypt to purchase food during the famine. The brothers are relaying Yosef's (Joseph's) demand—spoken while he was still unrecognized by them—that they must bring Binyamin (Benjamin) with them to prove they are not spies.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi emphasizes the brothers' firm stance: they would not return to Egypt without Binyamin because "the man" (Yosef, still unidentified) had explicitly conditioned their future audience with him on Binyamin's presence. Rashi notes that the phrase "לֹא־תִרְאוּ פָנַי" ("you shall not see my face") implies a total refusal to engage with them unless their brother accompanies them (Rashi on Genesis 43:5).

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra highlights the brothers' tactical reasoning: they could not return empty-handed, as Egypt was their only source of sustenance during the famine. Their refusal to go without Binyamin was not merely defiance but a pragmatic response to Yosef's unyielding terms (Ibn Ezra on Genesis 43:5).

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:8) delves into the brothers' emotional state, suggesting their words carried a dual meaning. On the surface, they were conveying Yosef's demand, but subconsciously, they were hinting at their guilt over Yosef's disappearance—now unknowingly standing before him. The phrase "אֲחִיכֶם" ("your brother") subtly alludes to Yosef himself, though they were unaware of the irony.

Halachic Implications

Rambam (Maimonides) derives from this episode the principle of conditional agreements in Jewish law. Yosef's stipulation—linking their return to Binyamin's presence—demonstrates how binding conditions function, a concept later codified in Hilchos Mechirah (Laws of Sales) regarding contractual terms (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Mechirah 11:6).

Theological Reflection

The Malbim observes that the brothers' insistence on Binyamin's involvement mirrors divine providence: their reluctance ultimately facilitated the fulfillment of Yosef's dreams and the family's reunification. Their words, though seemingly pragmatic, were part of a larger divine plan to bring the Children of Israel to Egypt (Malbim on Genesis 43:5).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 91b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the importance of fulfilling promises and the consequences of not doing so, as exemplified by Joseph's brothers' statement to Jacob.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 43:5 mean?
A: In Genesis 43:5, Judah is telling his father Jacob that they cannot return to Egypt to buy food unless their youngest brother Benjamin comes with them. This is because the Egyptian ruler (who is actually their brother Joseph, though they don't know it yet) had warned them not to return without Benjamin. The verse shows Judah taking responsibility for Benjamin's safety.
Q: Why was it so important for Benjamin to go with them to Egypt?
A: According to Rashi, Joseph (the Egyptian ruler) wanted to see his full brother Benjamin to determine if the other brothers had treated Benjamin better than they had treated him. The Midrash explains that Joseph also wanted to fulfill his prophetic dreams where all brothers would bow to him - which required Benjamin's presence. Additionally, this test would reveal if the brothers had repented for selling Joseph.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Judah's statement in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 13b) notes that Judah demonstrates great responsibility here - he takes personal accountability for Benjamin's safety. This marks his spiritual growth from the brother who suggested selling Joseph (Genesis 37:26-27) to one who is willing to stand up for what's right. We learn the importance of taking responsibility for others, especially family members.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish values about family?
A: This verse highlights the Torah's emphasis on family unity and responsibility. Rambam teaches that family bonds are sacred in Judaism. Here we see both Joseph's longing to see his brother and Judah's commitment to protect Benjamin. The Sages explain this shows how family relationships should be valued above material concerns (like the need for food).
Q: Why did Joseph insist on seeing Benjamin?
A: According to the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:7), Joseph wanted to see if his brothers had changed their ways. By demanding Benjamin's presence, he was testing whether they would protect Benjamin (Rachel's other son) as they had failed to protect him. The Zohar adds that Joseph also wanted to fulfill the divine plan of bringing the entire family to Egypt, as foretold to Abraham.