Judah Confronts Joseph

ועיקר הפי' ויגש אליו ליוסף כי באמת אז סרה קנאת השבטים על יוסף.

The main explanation is that “he approached him” refers to Joseph, for at that moment the jealousy of the tribes toward Joseph had already departed.

The Sefat Emet explains that Judah’s approach reflects a spiritual shift: the brothers were no longer bound by their earlier jealousy, enabling true reconciliation.

וידע יהודה כי כבר תיקנו החטא של מכירת יוסף.

And Judah understood that they had already repaired the sin of selling Joseph.

Judah sensed that the process of teshuvah had been completed, especially through his willingness to sacrifice himself for Benjamin.

ולכן יש לומר שאמר ואחיו מת.

Therefore, it may be said that he stated, “and his brother is dead.”

Judah spoke this way because he believed the spiritual repair was complete, and thus Joseph would surely have revealed himself if he were alive.

שעל ידי שידע שכבר נתקן החטא.

Because he knew that the sin had already been rectified.

This knowledge shaped Judah’s assumptions about Joseph’s status—if the sin was healed, there was no reason for Joseph to remain hidden.

א"כ אם עודנו בחיים.

If so, if he were still alive...

Judah reasoned that Joseph himself would have made himself known, for nothing would prevent reconciliation once the sin was repaired.

הי' מתגלה להם.

He would have revealed himself to them.

This was the logical conclusion Judah reached, based on his understanding of their completed repentance.

וראי' שמיד כתיב ולא יכול יוסף להתאפק כו'.

And the proof is that it is written immediately afterward, “And Joseph could not restrain himself…”

The Sefat Emet points to Joseph’s sudden revelation as confirmation that the brothers’ teshuvah had indeed reached completion.

Summary: The Sefat Emet explains that Judah approached Joseph because the brothers’ jealousy had finally disappeared and their sin had been rectified. Judah assumed Joseph must be dead, for otherwise he would have revealed himself once the repair was complete. Joseph’s inability to hold back any longer confirms this spiritual readiness.