Vayeishev 37:29 · EXTRA

EXTRA · Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 37:29 · not a Torah Temimah citation on this passuk

The Complete Passuk

וַיָּ֤שׇׁב רְאוּבֵן֙ אֶל־הַבּ֔וֹר וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵין־יוֹסֵ֖ף בַּבּ֑וֹר וַיִּקְרַ֖ע אֶת־בְּגָדָֽיו׃

When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he rent his clothes.

Classical source (EXTRA side-ring): Bereshis Rabbah 84:19.

Core Text

וַיָּשָׁב רְאוּבֵן אֶל הַבּוֹר — הֵיכָן הָיָה? אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: בְּשַׁקּוֹ וּבְתַעֲנִיתוֹ.

English: “And Reuven returned to the pit” — where had he been? R’ Eliezer said: in his sackcloth and his fasting.

In context: Reuven was absent in penitence for the Bilhah episode; he returns expecting to save Yosef and finds the pit empty.

Derash on the verse (Bereshis Rabbah) — not a formal named middah of the 13. Absence is explained by private teshuvah.

Reuven’s delay was occupied with repentance; he meant to rescue Yosef, but arrived too late.