Page 43 - HaMizrachi Chanukah 2021 - USA

Yehudah's

LEADERSHIP

Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

I n the story of the sale of Yosef, brothers and rebuked them: "Did I not Yosef is "our brother." This emphasis

tell you ... ?" (Ibid. 42:22). From Reuven's
Reuven and Yehudah both exer-
on brotherhood made the sons of
cised their leadership abilities to words, it is clear that he was aware of Yaakov feel a sense of partnership with
rescue Yosef from the other broth- his failure of leadership and that the Yehudah, that he was one of them. As
ers. While Reuven was able to dissuade brothers had refused to listen to him. a result of Yehudah's influence, they
his brothers from killing Yosef, it seems looked at Yosef differently as well: not
How was Yehudah's leadership dif-
clear that they did not accept his lead- as an enemy, but as a brother. In the
ferent from that of Reuven? Why was
ership as the firstborn son, a rejection end, the brothers accepted Yehudah's
Yehudah, specifically, chosen to be the
described in Divrei Hayamim: "Reuven ... guidance. Yehudah's authority grew out
leader of the house of Yaakov?
was the first-born, but ... his birthright of his relationship with his brothers.
was given to the sons of Yosef the son Therefore, he received the position
of Israel..." (Divrei Hayamim I, 5:1). Why of leadership that had been taken
wasn't Reuven suitable to be leader of away from Reuven. "And his brothers
the house ofYaakov? hearkened unto him" (Ibid. 37:27). By
respecting his brothers and treating
As the brothers plotted first to kill and The key element of Yehudah's
later to sell Yosef to the Ishmaelites, leadership style is sensitivity them as equals, Yehudah supplanted
Reuven was nowhere to be found: and brotherhood. Reuven as the leader of the brothers.
"Reuven returned to the pit, and • This article is adapted from Rabbanit
behold, Yosef was not in the pit ... And Sharon Rimon's new book Prisms: Perspec-
Unlike Reuven, Yehudah had a close
said, 'The boy is gone, and I, where shall tives on the Parasha, (Sulamot, Ktav Publish-
relationship with his brothers. He
I go?"' (Bereishit 37:29-30). Reuven was ing, 2021 ). For each paras ha, the book focuses
distant and detached from his broth- included himself with them, and on one topic, with a summary of the key idea,
ers. Although this detachment meant spoke with them as an equal. He did guiding questions, a study of the literal mean-
that Reuven did not share his brothers' not preach to his brothers but talked ing and commentators and culminating with
harmful views, it also meant that they to them in their language: "What will a concluding message.
did not view Reuven as their leader. we gain from killing our brother and
covering his blood?" (Ibid. 37:26). Only
Moreover, Reuven's reaction to the
then did Yehudah address the moral
sale of Yosef reveals that he was pri- considerations: "Let our hand not be
marily concerned that Yaakov would
upon him, because he is our brother,
blame him for what occurred. Reuven
our flesh" (Ibid. 37:27). To persuade
was not pained over Yosef's disap-
people, it is not enough to be right. One
pearance, but rather anxious about
must know how to speak in a way that
his own fate - indicating that he was
will enter their hearts.
just as disconnected from Yosef as the
other brothers. Many years later, as The key element of Yehudah's leader-
Yosef dealt harshly with his brothers ship style is sensitivity and brother- Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach and
in Egypt, Reuven stood apart from his hood. Yehudah twice emphasizes that is Content Editor for the HaTanakh website.

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