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Why did Yaakov suspect Yehuda killed Yosef when Shimon and Levi were the instigators? The Midrash reveals Yaakov's deep mistake: he thought Yehuda would see Yosef as a rival king. The shiur develops the powerful yesod that true kingship—Yehuda's essence as an Aryeh—is not about power but empowering others, which is why Yehuda actually saved Yosef rather than harm him.
This shiur explores a perplexing Midrash on Parshas Vayigash that addresses why Yaakov Avinu suspected Yehuda of killing Yosef, when the narrative clearly identifies Shimon and Levi as the instigators who wanted to kill him. The Midrash states that Yaakov believed Yehuda harmed Yosef because the coat (k'sones passim) was brought by Yehuda, and "chayah ra'ah" (wild animal) refers to an Aryeh (lion), the symbol of Yehuda's kingship. Rabbi Zweig begins by establishing the difficulty: Yaakov had an extraordinary relationship with his children. The Torah (תורה) describes him speaking to them as "achim" (brothers), and Rashi (רש"י) notes this means they were equals in righteousness and battle. When Yosef told his brothers to tell Yaakov he was "av l'Pharaoh" (a father to Pharaoh), Rashi explains this means "chaver u'patron" (friend and patron)—demonstrating that Yosef understood Yaakov's definition of fatherhood as friendship and patronage. Given this profound understanding and relationship, how could Yaakov misjudge which son was responsible?
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Parshas Vayigash, Midrash
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