Devar/5770/Vayeshev
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< Devar | 5770
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And Judah acknowledged them, and said: 'She is more righteous than I; forasmuch as I gave her not to Shelah my son.' (Gen 38:26)
The story of Judah and Tamar suddenly interrupts the story of Joseph being taken down to Egypt. For what purpose did the Torah place this tale here?
The main story continues describing Joseph's descent -- not only to Egypt, but within Egypt he descended to Pharaoh's prison -- a place from which no-one escaped, unless Pharaoh wished it. There was no place "lower" in the entire land of Egypt. Joseph was completely and utterly debased. Regarding Judah's sons, it is related that despite Judah being a God fearing man, his sons were not like him -- and doubtless this fact shamed him greatly. Finally, he came to a prostitute, and as time passed it became known to him that she was not a prostitute, rather she was his dead son's wife. And instead of covering up his shame and continuing to punish her as he had commanded be done, he confessed in front of all the people, saying "She is more righteous than I". He demeaned himself in front of the people and did not permit her to be punished for naught.
Just as Joseph, so too Judah -- both were destined for greatness, for kingship. Both were extremely demeaned, and suffered extremely harsh and painful personal losses. The Torah wants to inform us that only one who knows how to be "lowly of spirit" can be a just king. That is why the Torah commands that a king write a second Torah scroll of his own The king is commanded to write for himself a second Torah scroll (Laws of Torah Scrolls 7:2), which must be with him all the time. So that he is aware, even if the entire world lauds hims, that above him there is the King, King of Kings.
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