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Hebrew Text
אָנֹכִי אֶעֶרְבֶנּוּ מִיָּדִי תְּבַקְשֶׁנּוּ אִם־לֹא הֲבִיאֹתִיו אֵלֶיךָ וְהִצַּגְתִּיו לְפָנֶיךָ וְחָטָאתִי לְךָ כָּל־הַיָּמִים׃
English Translation
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not to thee, and set him before thee, then I shall have sinned to thee for ever.
Transliteration
Anochi e'eravenu miyadi tevakshenu im-lo havi'otiv eleicha vehitzagti lefaneicha vechatati lecha kol-hayamim.
Hebrew Leining Text
אָֽנֹכִי֙ אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּ מִיָּדִ֖י תְּבַקְשֶׁ֑נּוּ אִם־לֹ֨א הֲבִיאֹתִ֤יו אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְהִצַּגְתִּ֣יו לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְחָטָ֥אתִֽי לְךָ֖ כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Sotah 10b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the concept of surety and responsibility, particularly in relation to Judah's pledge for Benjamin's safety.
Context of the Verse
This verse (Genesis 43:9) is part of the dialogue between Yehudah (Judah) and his father Yaakov (Jacob), where Yehudah takes personal responsibility for the safety of Binyamin (Benjamin) when the brothers return to Egypt to procure food during the famine. Yehudah's words demonstrate his commitment to ensuring Binyamin's safe return, even at the cost of bearing eternal guilt if he fails.
Yehudah's Guarantee
Rashi explains that Yehudah's statement, "I will be surety for him", means he accepts full responsibility for Binyamin's welfare. The term "עֶרְבוֹן" (surety) implies a legal and moral obligation, as Yehudah pledges himself as a guarantor. The Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that Yehudah's guarantee was not merely verbal but carried the weight of a binding oath, invoking divine accountability.
"Of my hand shalt thou require him"
The phrase "מִיָּדִי תְּבַקְשֶׁנּוּ" (of my hand shalt thou require him) emphasizes personal liability. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 91:10) interprets this as Yehudah accepting that Yaakov would hold him accountable not just in this world but also in the World to Come. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 94a) discusses the gravity of such a pledge, comparing it to a financial surety where one's very being is on the line.
The Consequences of Failure
Yehudah declares, "If I bring him not to thee... then I shall have sinned to thee for ever". The Sforno explains that this sin would be eternal because Yehudah's failure would result in Yaakov's perpetual grief, akin to the loss of Yosef (Joseph). The Kli Yakar highlights that Yehudah's phrasing—"חָטָאתִי לְךָ" (I shall have sinned to thee)—indicates a personal transgression against his father, beyond a general wrongdoing.
Yehudah's Transformation
This moment marks Yehudah's growth from his earlier failings (e.g., the incident with Tamar) to becoming a responsible leader. The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayigash 10) notes that Yehudah's willingness to stake his eternal fate for Binyamin foreshadows his future role as the progenitor of kingship (Malchut) in Israel, demonstrating the qualities of accountability and self-sacrifice.