Take the 2-minute tour ×

In Vayigash, Rabenu Bahya (also the Zohar) comments and says that the reason we had Asara Haruge Malchut because the brothers sold Yosef. However, Reuven didn't sell Yosef, so why should the corresponding Rabbi be punished for his actions?

share|improve this question
Were you trying to ask a new question? –  Alex Jan 1 '12 at 3:22
@Alex yes because I realized that my question was based on a wrong idea. –  Hacham Gabriel Jan 1 '12 at 3:24
related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/9547/… –  Menachem Jan 1 '12 at 23:12
add comment

4 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

Me'am Loez says (citing Zohar Chadash, Eichah) that R. Eliezer is counted among these ten Sages. He was arrested and nearly sentenced to death, but was miraculously spared (Avodah Zarah 16b-17a); he thus corresponds to Reuven, who played a part in the whole drama but wasn't actually involved in the sale.

share|improve this answer
So I guess my question HAD validity. –  Hacham Gabriel Jan 1 '12 at 3:22
Ashrecha WeAshre Helkecha –  Hacham Gabriel Jan 2 '12 at 1:18
Is this true? Can I verify this in historical stack exchange. –  Jim Thio Mar 1 '12 at 10:01
It's not really Asara HARUGEI Malchut, then –  AEML Dec 23 '12 at 20:19
add comment

Maybe because he wasn't active enough in trying to stop them. Source: speculation.

share|improve this answer
He didn't know. He thought they threw him in the pit. After that he left. –  Hacham Gabriel Jan 1 '12 at 3:09
@HachamGabriel He left Yosef in their hands. Maybe he should have been more careful. –  Double AA Jan 1 '12 at 3:12
@Okay I just realized the Asara Haruge Malchut is only because Yosef didn't forgive them...Not becasue they sold him. This question is caput. –  Hacham Gabriel Jan 1 '12 at 3:17
@HachamGabriel, where do you see that Yosef didn't forgive them? –  Alex Jan 1 '12 at 3:22
@HachamGabriel Can you please then EDIT these sources into the question? –  Double AA Jan 1 '12 at 3:44
show 7 more comments

The Torah Sheleima mentioned in this answer, while addressing another issue (why Reuven was also fined for the sale) says that Reuven was there when they threw Yosef in the pit, which lead to the sale. He is therefore also liable.

It doesn't say it there, but not only was Reuven there, but it was his idea to throw Yosef into the pit.

share|improve this answer
add comment

I have heard that the 10th martyr is in place of, kavayachol, HaKadosh Baruch Hu, who acquiesced to the beit din shel matah and did not reveal the truth to Yakov.

share|improve this answer
Indeed, I once read (don't recall the source) that R. Akiva corresponds to Hashem, since he was a descendant of gerim and thus not of any of the brothers. –  Alex Jun 19 '12 at 4:16
add comment

Your Answer


