Parshat Vayigash - This is Between Us
by Rabbi Lobel

After falsely accusing his brothers, Joseph finally relented and revealed his true identity. The brothers traveled back to Canaan with gifts and a mission to bring their families, including their father, back to Egypt.

“And they (Joseph's brothers) related to him (Jacob) all the words that Joseph had spoken to them, and he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him. Then the spirit of their father Jacob was revived.”

Joseph's brothers regretted not being merciful to Joseph when he begged them not to sell him. Now, it was time relate the story to their father.

Nachmandies maintains Joseph's brothers never told Jacob they sold Joseph into slavery, fearing Jacob would curse them, just as he had rebuked Shimon and Levi for attacking the city of Shechem to avenge their sister, Dina. Neither did Joseph tell Jacob the true story. Rather, Jacob died thinking Joseph simply got lost, was kidnapped, and taken to Egypt.

Joseph was separated from his family, sold into slavery, imprisoned, and nearly killed. Yet, what happened between Joseph and his brothers remained between them. Unless there’s a true need to publicize damaging information, private matters are best kept private.