Mikeitz 5783

Question: Why do the brothers “offer” such a harsh punishment for taking the goblet? Both to the messenger and to יוסף


Approach: It could be that this was a standard punishment in Egypt at the time - with associates of a criminal becoming slaves of the ruler. We might also suggest that, initially, the harsh punishment is suggested because of their incredulity of the accusation, and their confidence that they are absolutely innocent. And once found out, they could hardly go back on their word, and were stuck with the suggested punishment, as unintended as it may have been.

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