ABSTRACT
The Joseph stories reflect a conflict between different forms of Judaism, one urging assimilation, except in religion, the other demanding social separation as a support for religion. The Joseph stories foresee the future not in Joseph but in Judah. Moses is the lawgiver, which shows that the law comes from Judah. In the end, Moses is put down for a more subtle version of Joseph’s overweening desire for power. The separation between God and man is maintained, thus strengthening the Hebrew religion. Moses is denied entrance to the Promised Land where Joseph does not even try to go. But Moses’ written laws go ahead. No one can say that Joseph’s descendants are left out of the Israelite nation; his two sons found tribes. But the future belongs to Judah. There are a few similarities. Both men are born Hebrews; the difference is that Joseph becomes steadily less Hebrew while Moses becomes steadily more.
