Jewish tradition teaches that the rise and fall of Judah is pivotal not only in the development of Israel’s royal ancestor, but in the unfolding of all of world history. During the course of events, Judah is assisted by an outsider, foretelling the role non Jews will play in Israel’s glorious destiny.
While many Biblical heroes experience dramatic highs and lows over the course of their lives, Judah’s personal roller coaster is much more rapid. This week’s Torah portion, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18–47:27), begins with Judah stepping up to plead with the viceroy of Egypt for the freedom of his youngest brother Benjamin. Of course, we know the viceroy is Joseph, but to Judah his identity has not yet been revealed, making Judah’s act of bravery all the more impressive. Judah’s selfless leadership serves to explain why the Davidic dynasty, and ultimately the Messiah, would deservedly descend from him, yet his pivotal role stands in stark contrast with the previous story describing his shameful downfall.
Interrupting the lengthy description of Joseph’s own descent and meteoric rise into the upper echelon’s of Egyptian power, comes the troubling chapter of Genesis 38. During the course of this difficult passage, Judah’s behavior becomes increasingly disgraceful. The bible describes him as “descending from his brothers”, implying that his status within the family has become diminished following his inability to save Joseph. Judah has fallen off the path of righteousness when he seeks out a mysterious man named Hirah. Hirah will reappear twice more in the story, each time as Judah “descends” further into depravity.
Hirah first introduces Judah to a Canaanite woman, Bat Shua, whom he immediately marries. Considering the great lengths Abraham and Isaac both went to to prevent their sons from marrying Canaanite women, Judah’s choice of a wife is a serious breach of his family’s custom and values. Following the death of Bat Shua, Judah goes off to shear his sheep, again along with his friend, Hirah where he encounters his daughter in law Tamar who they both believe to be a prostitute, thus continuing Judah’s downward spiral.
Hirah, also known as the “Adullamite man”, appears for the final time when Judah does not even have the decency to pay Tamar directly for her services. Hirah on the other hand seems to have no problem mingling with prostitutes but cannot find her. Tamar has disappeared with Judah’s staff and cloak which will later prove the paternity of her son Peretz. Who is Judah’s friend, this Adullamite man who appears three times in Judah’s life as he spirals downward? Based on their interactions, Hirah seems to be a bad influence, the kind of friend your mother tells you to avoid. He facilitates all the worst of Judah’s decisions; introducing him first to his inappropriate wife, then to a prostitute, and finally serving as his agent to pay the harlot.
Jewish tradition teaches that the disturbing story of Judah and Tamar is pivotal not only in the development of Judah’s leadership abilities, but in the unfolding of all of world history. The rabbis at the time of the Talmud were puzzled by the entire chapter of Genesis 38 which interrupts the narrative describing the throwing of Joseph into the pit and his sudden rise to Pharaoh’s palace. Many centuries ago, our sages explained the interruption in beautiful short hand: “While the tribes were busy with the sale of Joseph, and Reuben, Joseph and Jacob were busy with their sackcloth and mourning, and Judah was busy taking a wife, God was busy creating the light of the Messiah.” Behind the scenes, the Lord is pulling the strings like a divine puppet master. In His infinite wisdom, God guarantees that precisely when life seems to be unravelling and spinning out of control, He is carefully nurturing our redemption.
A more recent Rabbinic commentator adds a twist by explaining the significance of Judah’s friend the Adullamite man named Hirah. Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Berlin (1816-1893) wonders why Hirah is even mentioned by name at all and connects Hirah’s presence to the following verses from Isaiah 49:
Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and set up Mine ensign to the peoples, and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy foster-fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD, for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me. (Isaiah 49:22-23)
Rabbi Berlin explains that just like King David depended on King Hiram to build the first Temple in Jerusalem, and just as Isaiah promised that the Messiah will be supported by foreign kings, so too, the Messianic origins were originally brought about through an outsider named Hirah.
We see time and again that non Jews have a pivotal role in the future story of the Jewish people. We never know our own significance, but we are all a crucial link in the chain, a vital stitch in God’s tapestry in bringing about His ultimate plan and must be ready to step up when the time comes. From powerful leaders to the lowliest dregs of society, the strange friendship between Judah and Hirah teaches that we all have a part to play in bringing the Messiah and God’s glory into the world.
