Midrasch zu Bereschit 50:21

Another interpretation (of Exod. 1:1): NOW THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. This text is related (to Ps. 147:3–4): WHO HEALS THE BROKEN HEARTED…. HE RECKONS THE NUMBER OF THE STARS; HE GIVES THEM ALL NAMES. When Jacob died, what is written (in Gen. 50:15)? WHEN JOSEPH'S BROTHERS SAW THAT THEIR FATHER WAS DEAD. What did they see? They saw that, as long as Jacob was alive, Joseph dined with them, and they would eat at his table. Then, when Jacob was dead, they did not eat at his table. Thus it is stated: WHEN JOSEPH'S BROTHERS SAW THAT THEIR FATHER WAS DEAD, they said: There is evil hidden in Joseph's heart; (ibid., end:) AND HE WILL SURELY REPAY US FOR ALL THE EVIL WHICH WE RENDERED HIM.⁸Cf. Gen. R. 100:8. (Vs. 16:) SO THEY SENT A MESSAGE UNTO JOSEPH, SAYING. To whom did they entrust the message? To Bilhah.⁹Cf. Rashi, on Gen. 50:16, according to whom Bilhah’s children were the messengers. Thus it is stated (in vs. 17): SO SHALL YOU SAY TO JOSEPH: PLEASE FORGIVE, PRAY (anna), <THE TRANSGRESSION AND GUILT OF YOUR BROTHERS>…. R. Abbin said: The Holy One said: You used this word anna. A high priest is going to enter the Holy of Holies and utter a synegoria¹⁰The Greek word denotes a verbal defense. for your children with this expression: Anna haShem (Pray, O Eternal One).¹¹On the Day of Atonement the high priest used these words to begin his confession over his own bullock (Yoma 3:8; 4:2). (Ibid., cont.:) AND NOW, PLEASE FORGIVE THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE SERVANTS OF THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. "The transgression of your servants" is not written here but THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE SERVANTS OF THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. Although your father is dead, know that his God is alive. (Ibid., cont.:) AND JOSEPH WEPT AS THEY SPOKE TO HIM. Joseph said: Thus have my brothers distrusted me. (Gen. 50:21:) SO HE COMFORTED THEM AND SPOKE TO THEM KINDLY ('al lev) of things which depend upon the heart ('al lev). He said to them: Before you came down to Egypt, the people were opposed to me, saying: He is a slave.¹²Gen. R. 100:8; PRK 16:5. Now you have been brought down and have made it known that I am the child of free < parents >. So should I kill you? They would say: Is there a person who would kill his brothers? Ergo (in Gen. 50:21): SO HE COMFORTED THEM.

Another interpretation (of Gen. 50:21): He said to them: You are ten and have not overcome me. Now, since I am one, shall I overcome ten? Ergo (in Gen. 50:21): SO HE COMFORTED THEM.¹³Meg. 16b.

It is written (Leviticus 19:17) "Do not hate your brother in your heart." And of Joseph it is written (Genesis 50:21) "And he counseled them and he spoke to their hearts." It is written (Leviticus 19:18) "You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge," and (in respect to Joseph, Genesis 50:20) "And you contemplated evil against me, but G d contemplated it for the good." (Leviticus 25:36) "And let your brother live with you." (Genesis 47:12) "And Joseph sustained his father and his brothers, etc."