#9 — Parshat Vayeshev
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Why Airing the Dirty Laundry?
If anything demonstrates the truthfulness of scripture, it is that it documents the sins of its heroes.
Our parsha this week illustrates this well. Even the sins of Israel’s patriarchs are not whitewashed.
Why must the “dirty laundry” be aired in the Word of G-d? one may wonder.
One reason is to demonstrate that humans are fallible by nature, of course. But more than this, we are clearly shown that G-d’s election of Israel does not rest on the merit of the fathers. Rather, the unconditional khesed (חסד) of G-d – His undeserved loving-faithfulness towards sinners – is on full display.
The Descent of Hatred
In Parshat Vayeshev we again find a tale of two brothers. Not Jacob and Esau, but Joseph and Judah now get the most attention. And what a contrast between them!
In our story, Joseph is the youngest of 11 sons – and Jacob’s favorite. Even more, Joseph receives special promises from G-d through dreams.
His brothers start hating the “favored son.” Their envy descends dangerously: from not being able to “speak peacefully” to Joseph (Genesis 37:4) they move to murderous intent.
Joseph on the other hand is willing to look for the “shalom” [1] of his brothers. (Genesis 37:12-13).
But things don’t go well; Joseph winds up in a pit. Although murder is averted, he is sold by his own brothers as a slave.
More moral failure
In Genesis 38 the story descends into even more moral failure. Brother Judah associates far too closely with the Canaanites, to the point where having sex with a Canaanite cult prostitute is no big deal for him.
“Like father, like sons.” Er is wicked. Onan is not willing to play his part in the propagation of the “seed” through which all the families of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12:3, 28:14)).
Judah shirks his own responsibility by not allowing his third son to marry his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar. She employs desperate measures, disguising herself. The “cult prostitute” with whom Judah sleeps turns out to be…his daughter-in-law.
What is going on with Tamar? Is she sinfully scheming for the sake of self-preservation? Or does she evidence a genuine desire to be part of the family to which G-d gave such amazing promises?
And what is going on with Judah? When Tamar’s true identity is revealed, Judah has to admit, “She is more righteous than I” (Genesis 38:26).
Joseph Again in a Dark Pit
In marked contrast, Joseph displays righteous behavior, resisting sexual seduction. “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against G-d?” (Genesis 39:9) is his response to the enticements of his master’s wife.
The consequences of Joseph’s refusal? The scorned seductress accuses him of rape, and his wrathful master has Joseph imprisoned.
Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and now a prisoner. Not for a crime, but for honoring G-d by resisting what must have been a strong temptation for a young man in such circumstances.
Has G-d abandoned Joseph?
No, the L-RD is with him even in prison. (Genesis 39:1 and 23). And yet, at the end of our parsha Joseph remains in the dark pit, still waiting for a brighter tomorrow. (Genesis 40:15)
Is there hope in spite of the depressingly low points of our parsha?
Breaking Through
Yes, there is! Despite the multiplied negative circumstances, G-d is at work. We are waiting for an amazing turn-around for the hero of our story. Joseph’s suffering will be turned around into a means of preservation for the people of Israel. (We will see that in the next parshas)
But that is not the only twist of the story. When Tamar gives birth to twins, one who “breaks through” is named “Perez.” [2] (Genesis 38:27-30). It is as if the author of Genesis is telling us, “Watch this boy.”
Lo and behold, this boy Perez will become an ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:18-22). Yes, G-d accepts people with a “shady background” into His family.
The Ultimate Messianic Twist
But wait, there’s still more! Since Perez is the forefather of David he is also the forefather of the Messiah. In an ultimate twist of events, Genesis makes clear that the Messiah will come not from the expected line of Jacob’s firstborn, Reuben. Neither does the Messiah come from Joseph, as we might start thinking. Rather, the scepter of ultimate ruling will be given to the tribe of Judah! (Genesis 49:8-12)
It is the Messiah who brings the ultimate turn-around. Here are characteristics of Messiah to consider:
· He descends from Judah – but looks like Joseph.
· His righteousness is perfect; he is sinless.
· His sufferings are much deeper than those of Joseph.
· He is hung on a tree (like the baker from our parsha).
· He dies for the sins of His people. (Isaiah 53:8)
· On the third day following His death, He “breaks through,” rising from the grave pit into great exaltation. (Compare Psalm 16:10 and Psalm 21:3-6.)
The election and salvation of Israel rest on His merits, as He washes all our sins whiter than snow. (Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 53: 5)
[1] Most English translations have “welfare” in Genesis 37:14; the Hebrew word is “shalom,” just as in Genesis 37:4. Translated more literally, Genesis 37:4 reads “And they couldn’t speak with him towards peace [shalom]” וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ דַּבְּר֥וֹ לְשָׁלֹֽם
[2] Perez means “breach”. “He who opens the breach” is also a name of the Messiah (Micah 2:13)