Yehuda’s Prayer

There are numerous interpretations regarding the impassioned plea of Yehuda to Yosef. Some view it as a confrontation of two powerful personalities. While others see Yehuda as humbling himself before Yosef, with the hope that Yosef will be moved by his sincerity and change his decision. The נתיבות שלום has a little different take to this whole episode. He claims that Yehuda was showing us how one must pray to Hashem. Yehuda exhibited warmth to Yosef in the way that we are to beseech Hashem with warmth. This is why the Chassidim would wait an hour before praying so that they are in the right frame of mind while praying. Sincere prayers allow Hashem to feel our pain. This was the strategy of Yehuda. His sincerity in taking responsibility for his little brother, and his efforts not to cause his father grief, would certainly be felt even by the Egyptian ruler. The power of prayer is never meant to be taken lightly. Yehuda was the one who taught us this lesson.