The opening to Vayiggash picks up the dramatic narrative where we left it last week. Benjamin has been discovered with the stolen goblet and the vindictive viceroy of Egypt, whose true identity as brother Joseph is as yet unknown, wants him clapped in chains.
Up steps Judah to act as leader and spokesman for the brothers, which as the fourth-born and not the firstborn son is rather surprising. Why was it Judah that took the lead in approaching the imposing Viceroy, and not the firstborn Reuben?
The commentary of Rashi points us in the direction of an answer by explaining that Judah knew he had more to lose than the other brothers because “they all stand outside the matter and are less concerned with it, but I (Judah) have placed myself under a firm bond to be an outcast in both worlds”.
Judah was the brother who had sworn to his father Jacob that he would take complete responsibility for Benjamin’s safe return— even in the event of an accident beyond his control. The Avnei Nezer (the 19th-century Chasidic Rebbe of Socatchov, Poland) wonders what the point of Judah’s extra guarantee was, especially as it is impossible to guarantee something that is beyond one’s control?
