This week on Madlik, we’re diving into Parashat Vayeshev and exploring the Joseph story through a unique lens. Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz as we unpack this pivotal narrative that bridges Genesis and Exodus.

We’ll be taking a hard look at the uncomfortable truth at the heart of this parasha: human trafficking. It’s not just about Joseph in Egypt – we’re talking about the profound implications of ethnic groups selling their own people into slavery.

We’ll also examine how this story fits into the broader context of biblical literature. Is it a court legend? Wisdom literature? Or something entirely different?

Plus, we’ll discuss how the sale of Joseph has echoed through Jewish tradition, from Yom Kippur liturgy to modern-day rituals. It’s an approach that might break the oppressor/oppressed lense used by so many today.

Sefaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/612024 

Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/12/19/joseph-slave-trade/

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QkhOPS54nfc