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Genesis 44:17 - Judah's test of leadership?

Genesis 44:17 - בראשית 44:17

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר חָלִילָה לִּי מֵעֲשׂוֹת זֹאת הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָא הַגָּבִיעַ בְּיָדוֹ הוּא יִהְיֶה־לִּי עָבֶד וְאַתֶּם עֲלוּ לְשָׁלוֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶם׃

English Translation

And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my bondman; and as for you, go up in peace to your father.

Transliteration

Vayomer chalila li me'asot zot ha'ish asher nimtza hagavi'a beyado hu yihyeh-li eved ve'atem alu leshalom el-avichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֔י מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹת זֹ֑את הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִמְצָ֨א הַגָּבִ֜יעַ בְּיָד֗וֹ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֕ם עֲל֥וּ לְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֔י מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹת זֹ֑את הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִמְצָ֨א הַגָּבִ֜יעַ בְּיָד֗וֹ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶה־לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֕ם עֲל֥וּ לְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶֽם׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 44:17) records Yosef's response after his silver goblet was discovered in Binyamin's sack. Yosef, still unrecognized by his brothers, pretends to be an Egyptian viceroy and declares that only the one found with the goblet will remain as his servant, while the others may return to their father in peace.

Yosef's Intentions

Rashi explains that Yosef's plan was to test whether his brothers would abandon Binyamin as they had once abandoned him (Bereshit 37). By framing Binyamin, Yosef sought to see if the brothers had repented for their earlier actions and would now stand up for their youngest brother.

The Phrase "חָלִילָה לִּי" (Far Be It From Me)

The Ramban notes that Yosef's exclamation "חָלִילָה לִּי" demonstrates his righteousness. Though he had the power to enslave all the brothers, he chose to punish only the "guilty" party, showing judicial restraint. This mirrors the divine attribute of justice tempered with mercy.

The Test of Brotherhood

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 92:8) highlights that Yosef's statement "הוּא יִהְיֶה־לִּי עָבֶד" (he shall be my bondman) was designed to evoke the brothers' protective instincts toward Binyamin. Yehuda's subsequent plea for Binyamin (chapter 44) proves they had indeed changed.

Halachic Perspective

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 58b) discusses this incident regarding the laws of servitude. While Egyptian law might have permitted enslaving all the brothers, Yosef adhered to the emerging Israelite standard of individual responsibility, as later codified in the Torah (Devarim 24:16).

Psychological Insight

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch observes that Yosef's offer to let the other brothers return "לְשָׁלוֹם אֶל־אֲבִיכֶם" (in peace to your father) was particularly poignant, as it forced them to confront whether they could face their father after losing another son.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 13b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing Joseph's actions and his righteousness, particularly how he dealt with his brothers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 44:17?
A: In Genesis 44:17, Yosef (Joseph) is speaking to his brothers after his silver goblet was found in Binyamin's (Benjamin's) sack. Yosef pretends not to recognize them and declares that only the brother with the goblet (Binyamin) will remain as his servant, while the others can return home peacefully to their father Yaakov (Jacob). This was a test to see if the brothers had changed since they sold Yosef into slavery years earlier.
Q: Why did Yosef say 'Far be it from me' in this verse?
A: Yosef said 'Far be it from me' (חָלִילָה לִּי) to show that he had no desire to punish all the brothers unfairly. According to Rashi, Yosef was testing them to see if they would stand up for Binyamin like they once ganged up against him. Yosef wanted to know if they had repented for their past actions.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 44:17?
A: This verse teaches the importance of repentance (תשובה) and brotherly responsibility. The brothers had once betrayed Yosef, but now they had a chance to protect Binyamin. The Rambam teaches that true repentance is shown when faced with the same situation again and choosing differently. Yosef's test revealed whether they had truly changed.
Q: Why did Yosef only keep Binyamin as a servant?
A: Yosef kept Binyamin to see if the brothers would abandon him as they once abandoned Yosef. According to the Midrash, Yosef wanted to test whether they would show loyalty to their father Yaakov by protecting Binyamin, who was Yaakov's beloved son from Rachel. This would prove their growth and remorse.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of Yosef and his brothers?
A: This moment is a turning point in the story. The brothers had sold Yosef into slavery out of jealousy, but now they defend Binyamin (as seen in Yehuda's plea in the next chapter). This shows their transformation. The Talmud (Chagigah 4b) notes that suffering can refine a person, and here we see the brothers' growth through their trials.