Yehuda was recognised by his brothers as their leader. He was later given the blessing of leadership by his father and the kings of the Jewish people would descend from him.
Immediately after the sale of Yosef, the Torah digresses to tell us about the marriage of Yehuda and the subsequent events involving his own family. This passage is introduced with the words וירד יהודה. Whilst literally this means that Yehuda travelled downwards to Timna, the sages explain that it refers to Yehuda’s descent.
Yehuda was the one who suggested to sell Yosef to the passing Midianite merchants. As their leader, the brothers followed his word. But later, on seeing the pain that the sale of Yosef had caused to their father, the brothers deposed Yehuda from his position of leadership. They said that had he told them not to sell Yosef, they would have listened to him and so he is the one responsible and accountable.
People whom Hashem puts in positions of leadership, have an awesome responsibility and influence on those around them. The culture within a company is directly traceable to the decisions and attitudes of its executive leadership. The same is true with anyone in a position of authority; a principal in their school, a teacher their classroom, a Rabbi in their community, a community Askan, a parent at home and a leader to their peers.
This does not excuse the brothers. Even if leaders fail to stand up for what is right, their followers should still stand up in the face of injustice. When leaders stand up for what is right, they set an example for their followers to emulate and makes it easier to do.
