This week we begin the story of Joseph, the longest narrative in Genesis.  The motif of rival brothers is present throughout the book of Genesis, beginning with Cain and Abel. In the Joseph story, his father Jacob chooses him over all the other brothers. They hate him as a result and, like Cain, want to kill their brother. In the end, they sell him to slavers. 
     Joseph’s tale is suddenly interrupted by a strange story about his brother Judah, who arranges the marriage of his oldest son to a woman named Tamar.  When that son dies childless, he arranges for his second son to marry Tamar in order to continue his son’s line (as in a levirate marriage). This son also dies without children but Judah is afraid to marry his third, very young son to Tamar.  Tamar realizes Judah will never marry his third son to her, thus leaving her unable to marry or have other children. 
     Judah’s wife dies and he goes looking for “companionship.” Tamar, knowing that Judah will pass by, veils herself and waits by the road. Judah asks for sex and Tamar agrees if he will leave with her the ancient equivalent of his ID to ensure the future payment of her fee.  Afterwards Judah seeks to pay her, but he can’t find her. Three months later he hears that Tamar (his daughter in law) is pregnant. He wants her to be punished, but she sends him a message: the father of the child is the person with this ID. Judah responds: “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her my youngest son to wed.”
   Judah is the ancestor of the tribe of Judah and of King David. In this story he demonstrates the key quality of leadership—taking responsibility for one’s mistakes. Tamar is the first woman in the Bible who takes her fate into her own hands. Unlike Rachel, who maneuvers behind the scene on behalf of her favorite son, Tamar acts for herself in a bold and transgressive way. She endangers her life by her act. She demonstrates a commitment to justice and in a mirrored response Judah does the right thing despite the public embarrassment that may follow. Judah and Tamar is a counter text to Genesis.
    Most remarkably, there is another Tamar in the Bible who is part of the story of King David. Amnon, one of David’s sons, lusts for his half-sister Tamar. He rapes her and after it is over, he tosses her aside. The text is clearly telling us that for him this is only about power. King David is also caught up in sexual misconduct when he has an adulterous relationship with Batsheva. Confronted by the prophet Nathan, David too accepts his guilt without hesitation. Yet, it is not enough because in a complete abuse of his royal power, he has had Batsheva’s husband killed as part of his initial cover up. He can’t undo the killing of course. From that moment on David is a broken person, no longer the confident, even ruthless military leader. These stories echo each other in challenging ways focusing on crucial questions of leadership.