After Joseph demands to keep Benjamin with him as punishment for taking the goblet, Judah delivers an impassioned speech in an attempt to prevent the harsh decree. The Sages describe Judah’s profound commitment to rescue Benjamin, as well as the willingness of Judah and his brothers to wage an actual battle with Joseph, which ultimately convinces Joseph to reveal his identity.

At the moment that Joseph detained Benjamin and said to his brothers: “The man in whose hand the goblet was found, he shall be my slave, and you, go up in peace to your father” (Genesis 44:17), Judah said to him: If you detain Benjamin, how will there be peace in our father’s house? Immediately, Judah became angry and roared in a great voice. His voice traveled four hundred parasangs, until Hushim son of Dan heard. Hushim hurried from the land of Canaan and came to Judah. Both of them roared, and the land of Egypt was on the verge of being destroyed. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Once his brothers saw that Judah became angry, they too were filled with wrath, and they kicked at the ground, rendering it full of ditches. At that moment, Judah was filled with wrath against Joseph. When Joseph detected the signs of anger in Judah, he was at once alarmed and frightened. Joseph said: Woe is me, lest he kill me. What were the signs of anger that were in Judah? The Sages of the house of Shilo said: His two eyes were dripping blood. And some say: Judah was wearing a type of armor of the mighty, and five garments. There was a hair on his chest; once he became angry, it pierced the armor and the garments. What did Joseph do at that moment? He kicked the stone pillar upon which he was sitting and rendered it a heap of pebbles. Immediately, Judah was astounded and said: This one is stronger than I am. At that moment, Judah grasped his sword to draw it from its scabbard, but it would not be drawn for him. Judah said: Joseph must be a God-fearing man. Judah said to him: Initially, you came against us with a false accusation. How many countries descended to Egypt to purchase food and you did not ask any of them about their families? Did we come to take your daughter, or are you thinking of marrying our sister that you questioned us about our families? Nevertheless, we did not conceal any information from you. Joseph said to him: I see that you are a spokesman; there is among your brothers a spokesman like you.(Bereshit Rabba 93)