...so the Prince of Egypt tells our ten intrepid travelers that they dare not return to the land of the River g-d without their youngest brother firmly in tow. Okay, that's a problem because Father does not let said brother out of his sight. Great tension ensues.
The question is...why? Why such worry? Why all the grand statements by everyone involved? What's the big deal - simply grab some kid, throw a pair of tzitzis and a yarmulka on him and pass him off as the younger brother. How hard could it have been to pull off such a ruse? They don't know that it's Yosef back in Mitzrayim. As far as they know it's a crazy ruler who for some reason is picking on them.
So why not pass off another as Binyomin, it would seem to be a no brainer way to solve all the problems at hand.
---Yes, there is a clear answer---
Bris milah?
ReplyDeleteObvious!
ReplyDeleteShimon was locked up and they would have a line-up and ask him to identify the brother, if he couldn't, they would be obvious liars and they would be killed.
The midrash connects it to the "magical goblet" that Binyamin is later accused of stealing. According to Chazal, when the brothers come down the first time Yosef is constantly "consulting" the goblet, pretending to confirm the details of their story. As a result, they believe that he'll see through any ruse they try to pull.
ReplyDeleteEzzie - Bzzzzzzz
ReplyDeleteAnon - That is the answer that I saw in the Bais HaLevi - as for "obvious", you would be surprised.
GI - Never heard/saw that answer but it works, thanks.
No normal person would try to fleece a master 'dream interpreter' and predictor of famines.
ReplyDeleteAlso, similar to Anon's point, there are many easy ways to interrogate the parties involved to ensure that they are telling the truth.
And if the prince start asking questions Mr Benyamin Phony can't answer?
ReplyDeletethey are in awe of the egyptian, and fear that he will see thorough their ruse
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ReplyDelete