Projects – Bereshit 37

After students have learned the story of Yosef's sale, review together, as a class, the approaches of Rashi and Rashbam to the sale. See Who Sold Yosef for details. Then have the students stage a trial to determine if the brothers really sold Yosef or not.

• Divide the class into two groups, those who will work for the prosecution (Rashi) and those who will work for the defense (Rashbam).
• Provide each with "evidence" in the form of verses and commentaries that support either side. These can relate to:
  • The character of the brothers and their relationship to Yosef
  • The role of Reuven
  • The relationship between the Midianites, Medanites and Yishmaelites
  • Later statements by either Yosef or the brothers that relate back to the sale.
• Each group will choose someone to act as lawyer, others to be witnesses, others to prepare "evidence" such as a bill of sale or the like.

The trial should include the following components:

• An opening speech where each side presents the main facts of their case
• Calling of witnesses - Students can choose whomever they want: Reuven, Yosef, Midianites, Yishmaelites,  character witnesses, Yaakov, "experts" such as Rashi, Rashbam, and other commentators, and/or whomever else you think of
• Cross examination of the other side's witnesses
• Presentation of evidence wherever relevant
• A closing speech where each side summarizes and reacts to points brought up in the trial