Why Weren't You a Guarantor for Yosef? The Daily Chizuk

The holy words of our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, dive into one of the most fascinating questions in the story of Yosef and his brothers: the meaning of Yehudah's delayed guarantee. While Yehudah declares his willingness to sacrifice his life for Binyamin, a painful wonder arises regarding his echoing silence during the sale of Yosef. Through the verses of the Torah and the commentary of the Midrash, the depth of the brothers' regret is revealed, along with their mythical power that shakes kingdoms, and the secret hidden within Jewish submission that creates supernatural deterrence among the nations of the world.

Binyamin's Guarantee vs. the Abandonment of Yosef

Yaakov's Question to Yehudah

Yaakov Avinu (our Patriarch) turned to Yehudah with a piercing question: "Why are you a guarantor for Binyamin, and what is your connection to Binyamin?" Despite the presence of older brothers like Reuven and Shimon, Yaakov wondered at Yehudah's sudden willingness to risk his life. Yehudah declared that he would be a guarantor for the youth, but the obvious question echoed in the room: Why was a similar guarantee not found for Yosef? Many years had passed, but the pain over abandoning the brother to be sold remained like an open wound demanding an explanation.

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The Terror of Slavery in Egypt

Yosef's Distress and His Pleas

The text describes the brothers' recognition of their guilt for seeing the "distress of his soul" when Yosef pleaded with them. A person pleading and crying, and certainly a child weeping bitterly, should awaken mercy in the heart of any person. Yosef, in his most difficult moments, fell at the feet of each and every one of his brothers, begging for only one thing: that he not be taken into slavery. For him, as reflected in the Midrashic description, slavery was worse than death itself.

The Price of Liberation from the Yoke of Slavery

The Fate of Slaves Throughout History

The suffering of slaves throughout the generations cannot be described in words; severe beatings, oppression, and humiliation are their constant lot. History books documenting wars of liberation around the world show that tens of thousands died to free millions from the yoke of slavery. The brothers were asked again and again: What did you do to Yosef? What kind of guarantee is this, to abandon a young boy to such horrific suffering and a life of merciless subjugation?

The Ability to Destroy Nations

The Heroism of Yaakov's Sons

According to the Midrash, each of the brothers possessed such immense power that they were capable of destroying entire nations. Yehudah declared that he and the tribes of Israel were capable of conquering and destroying the entire marketplace of Egypt. Despite the fear that the destruction of Egypt would lead to the intervention of global superpowers, the brothers knew no fear. This perspective is based on the knowledge that a single Jew holds spiritual and physical power capable of subduing entire kingdoms.

The Parable of the Robbers and the Snake in the Basket

The Fear of the Nations Before the Jew

Esav trembled before Yaakov, a phenomenon compared to a person standing at a crossroads facing robbers. To protect himself, he shouts and warns that a snake is lying in his basket, ready to strike anyone who approaches. Even experienced soldiers and officers might recoil and seek appeasement in the face of such a danger, even if it seems imaginary. Thus, even the seemingly weaker side manages to deter those around him through the power of Emunah (faith) and trust in Hashem.

The Power of Prayer and the Dust of the Earth

Yaakov's Submission and the Secret of the Snake

The fear of the nations is sometimes awakened specifically through movements of bowing and self-nullification. When Yaakov bowed down many times and kissed the ground, he created a profound deterrence. The nations of the world understand that Jews have the ability to operate in supernatural ways, similar to the Patriarchs of the nation. They know the stories about the hidden powers in the hands of Israel, and they know that behind physical submission hides tremendous spiritual power.