“And Yehudah approached him [Yoseph] and said: Please my
master let your servant speak a word in my master’s ears, and do not be angry
with your servant, for you are equal to Pharoah.”
Bereshis 44: 18
And Yehudah approached … in my master’s ears.
[Meaning] May my words penetrate your ears.
Rashi’s comment on Bereshis 44:18.
The scene – Yoseph (in the guise of the Egyptian prime
minster) has just told his brothers that, because his attendant found Yoseph’s
golden cup in Binyamin’s sack, he (Yoseph) intends to detain Binyamin as a
slave while releasing the remaining brothers. Yehudah approaches to make an
impassioned plea for clemency. Rashi points out that Yehudah was not merely
protesting or ‘getting something off his chest’ but rather was intent to make
an impact on Yoseph with his appeal.
We can parse the first verse of the parsha and see Yehudah’s
care in initiating his appeal. He starts with the word “please,” he addresses
Yoseph as “my master,” he asks that Yoseph not get angry at his [Yehudah’s]
effort to appeal, and he concludes with flattery, stating that Yoseph is
Pharoah’s equal. In all, it’s a very diplomatic start to a very important
pitch.
Perhaps we can learn from Yehudah’s example. There are times
when each of us faces a very troubling situation, with doubtful prospects. In
such circumstances we may feel that the matter is hopeless, unjust, or even
infuriating. Despite the pull of these emotions, if we can compose ourselves
and appeal respectfully to the ‘powers that be’, we may yet be able - with
God’s help - to pull some small success from the jaws of defeat.
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