Parshat Vayigash- Trustworthiness
by Rabbi Lobel

(Chapter 44; Verse 18) “Then Judah approached him and said, ‘If you please, my lord, may your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears and may your anger not flare up at your servant - for you are like Pharaoh.”

As Judah is about to confront Joseph, he appears to first compliment him – “For you are like Pharoah.” Rashi, however, offers an additional explanation. “Just as Pharaoh decrees but does not fulfill, promises but does not do, so too, Joseph, you are the same.” (44:18) The Maharshal, a commentary on Rashi, asks why it was necessary for Judah to denigrate Pharoah. He answers that Judah was essentially saying to Joseph, “Where do you place your trust? Is your trust in Pharaoh? Pharaoh himself decrees and does not fulfill. His laws say that a slave shall never have a leadership role in Egypt and now look he has placed you, a slave, as second to the Pharaoh.”

Clearly, Judah was warning Joseph that he is working for an individual who is untrustworthy and that Joseph should not feel too comfortable with his position. And Judah explains to Joseph that if he is willing to work for such a person, it is a reflection on Joseph’s character as well. This is the essence of Rashi’s commentary; that Pharaoh is an unreliable leader by violating his own law and Joseph shares the same character trait.

At first glance, this appears illogical. Wasn’t Pharaoh correct to appoint Joseph in a position of high authority? And wasn’t Joseph correct in accepting the position? After all, Pharaoh and Egypt needed Joseph and Joseph appears to have prospered by accepting the position. However, if we look closely at the Maharshal, we can understand Rashi’s point. “Pharaoh decrees but does not fulfill.” The problem is how Pharaoh appointed Joseph.

When Pharaoh elevated Joseph from slave to the highest minister, he never acknowledged that the law forbade such action. Yes, Pharaoh could have changed the law by decree. He could have announced an exception. But it never occurred to Pharaoh to change the law because, in Pharaoh’s mind, his own laws, decrees, and promises, meant nothing to him. The only thing that concerned Pharaoh was Pharaoh.

Joseph has achieved the power of a Pharaoh. But, Judah warns him, how can Joseph feel secure in his position of authority? After all, Pharaoh is a man whose own decrees are irrelevant to him. Just as Pharaoh disregarded the law in granting authority to Joseph, so can he remove that authority. And, Judah tells Joseph, if you cannot recognize the precariousness of your position, if you don’t see Pharaoh’s character flaw, or you choose to ignore it, then you have become like Pharaoh.

We learn from Rashi and the Maharshal a very important lesson about “honesty and trustworthiness.” If one does not abide by his own set of rules, he is viewed as incongruous. Pharaoh’s law was “that a slave may not have a role in government.” Pharaoh then disregards his own law and appoints Joseph when it is convenient for him to do so. Perhaps, when it convenient for him, Pharaoh will return Joseph to being a slave. This was Judah’s understanding and warning to Joseph. Additionally, because Joseph seemingly did not realize this and accepted such a position from Pharaoh, it reflects upon his character and he is viewed as inconsistent as well. And this is what Judah meant by saying “for you are like Pharaoh.”

This insight into honesty and trustworthiness shows us that one cannot make decisions based on convenience; even if it may seem correct, one must act consistently. Rather than disregard the law, Pharaoh could have at least revised it or declared an exception. Pharaoh’s contempt for his own laws shows us tremendous insight into his character. True trust can only be earned from unswerving behavior. Furthermore, associating or identifying with such inconsistent individuals is a relflection on one’s own character.