Bond Between Siblings

The bond between siblings is a unique and special one. Parents experience immense joy when their children get along, and the Torah emphasizes the importance of reconciling relationships between siblings that have broken down. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a prime example. The narrative begins with the brothers' jealousy towards Joseph, who had a special relationship with their father, Jacob. This favoritism, combined with Joseph's dreams of his brothers bowing down to him, created animosity and tension, making it impossible for Joseph's brothers to communicate peacefully (with Joseph) (Genesis 37:4).

The brothers' resentment ultimately led them to throw Joseph into a pit. Joseph was then sold into slavery, which took him to Egypt. After twenty-two years of various trials and tribulations, Joseph rose to become the second-in-command of Egypt. When coming to Egypt to acquire food, Joseph's brothers did not recognize Joseph, and he chose to test their sincerity by attempting to take Benjamin, his full brother. This time, the brothers were willing to defend their brother at all costs, unlike their actions toward Joseph twenty-two years earlier.

Joseph's actions toward his brothers may have seemed harsh and vengeful, but once he revealed his identity, the path to reconciliation was opened. The brothers were finally able to speak to Joseph peacefully.

"Benjamin wept upon Joseph's neck. Joseph then kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; afterward, his brothers conversed with him." Genesis 45:14-15

Earlier in Genesis: "Joseph's brothers saw that it was he whom their father loved most of all his brothers, so they hated him, and they were not able to speak with him peacefully. Genesis 37:4"

* Based on ideas from Rabbi David Foreman, Alephbeta.org, and Rabbi Elie Munk, The Call of The Torah.