Vayeishev 5770: Tricky Tricks

The reading of Vayeishev is full of plot twists and turns. Indeed the title itself is ironic. Yaakov settled down. The text hints that after his adventures with Lavan and reconciliation with Esav, Yaakov planned to enjoy his elder years as chairman of a major sheep herding enterprise. Little did he suspect what fate had in store. This reading begins the longest drama of our ancestors in the Torah: that of Yosef. His tale spans four parshios and Yaakov endures a major emotional roller-coaster ride. There is unmistakable subtext and even dialog to indicate that every turn and pratfall are part of a master divine plan.

In the midst of the Yosef narrative, the Torah halts abruptly and presents a short vignette in the life of Yehudah. This brief look into the life and personality are enigmatic and scholars over the ages have struggled to make sense of it. Nevertheless, we will mine this seemingly dysfunctional ancestor for important lessons to take away.

His trouble begins when he takes leave of his family to live in Adullam. There he founds his own endeavor with a partner named Chirah. Yehudah marries a localite the Torah deliberately leaves nameless. More important is his daughter-in-law who is named.

Tamar's husband dies leaving her without children. Tamar marries Yehudah's number two son who also dies without leaving children. What is a woman to do? Well, Yehudah has a third son but Yehudah declines the match. “[Wait] until my son Shelah grows up” he says, winking. Not interested in losing yet another son, he thought.

Determined to have a child, Tamar seduces Yehudah but he does not recognize her. She gets pregnant but Yehudah remains unaware. Months later, Yehudah learns his daughter-in-law has acted promiscuously and found  herself pregnant. He declares that Tamar be put to death by fire. As Tamar is brought out, she clandestinely signals to Yehudah that he is the father. Yehudah immediately sees his folly and confesses.

What a contrast of characters! Why does Tamar insist on marrying Shelah? Why does she then look to Yehudah to sire a child? What do we make of Yehudah's self imposed exile among the Canaanites? Why does the text relate that he “went down from his brothers (Bereishis 38.1)?” What do we learn from Yehudah's base behavior followed by his explicit confession?