What are the unique traits that Yehuda demonstrates that lead Yaakov to designate him as the leader of his brothers (Bereshit 49:10)? In this week’s parsha we see one of those traits clearly outlined.
The brothers return from Egypt and report that the viceroy has jailed Shimon, suspects all of them of being spies, and will only sell them food again if Binyamin accompanies them on a return visit; Yaakov is insistent that Binyamin not go with them. Reuven speaks up immediately, making an offer to safeguard Binyamin that is dramatic but short on good sense, and is swiftly rebuffed by his father (Bereshit 42:29-38).
Yehuda waits until the situation becomes more desperate, when their food stocks were used up, and then makes his appeal to Yaakov. His presentation is less dramatic and more cleverly couched in concern for the whole family. Yaakov reluctantly accepts Yehuda’s suggestion (Bereshit 43:8-14).
Reuven made his appeal to Yaakov as soon as the brothers returned from Egypt, when Yaakov was certainly still in shock at the absence of Shimon (a loss compounded by the earlier disappearance of Yosef). At that time, Yaakov was in no mood to take further risks. Fully aware of this, Yehuda bided his time and waited for the famine to get more pressing – he understood that eventually his father would calm down and realize the futility of his obstinacy.
What Yehuda demonstrated is the vital importance of a leader finding the proper timing to make a critical appeal. Yehuda knew that one must be patient and that silence is better than speaking to men unwilling to listen. When the moment is not right, a skilled leader bides his time.
The Midrash in Bereshit Rabba (91:6) formalizes this into an actual discussion, wherein Yehuda told his brothers to leave Yaakov alone and to come back to their father only when they have run out of bread. Later, when they appeared to be running out of food and Yaakov suggested they go to Egypt to acquire more, Yehuda sensed his cue because then Yaakov was ready to listen.
Yehuda understood, like every successful leader (and any good comedian), that timing is everything.
{Adapted by Harry Glazer from p “Redeeming Our Ideals: Yehudah and the Making of a Jewish Leader,” in Rabbi Francis Nataf’s book Redeeming Relevance In the Book of Genesis: Explorations in Text and Meaning}