Page 615 - BERESHIT

The dialogue between Yosef and Yehudah was like an encounter between
two kings. Yehudah was put in charge of his brothers and designated for
royalty, whereas Yosef was appointed by Pharaoh as Viceroy of Egypt.

The brothers did not ask Yaakov about what to do with Yosef or look to
him for guidance. This is why they were punished for selling him. As a
result of Yosef’s abduction, Yehudah was diminished in stature. Yehudah
could have prevented them from selling him. In Binyamin’s case,
Yehudah did take charge. He approached Yosef and asked for Binyamin’s
release.

Yehudah asked Yosef, “For how can I go up to my father if the youth is
not with me.” We can explain these words on two levels. On a simple
level, Yehudah pleaded, “I already came one time to my father without
my younger brother in tow. How can I go again?”