As such, Joseph represents the Jew in times of redemption, such as during the existence of the Temple, when we can experience Divine pleasure. Judah, on the other hand, represents the Jewish people in exile, longing and yearning for divine closeness.
Chasidut teaches that there is more of the essence revealed during exile. This is one of the great innovations of the Ba’al Shem Tov: the longing and thirst for God in exile surpass the satisfaction of redemption. The Ba’al Shem Tov explains this with regard to the verse “So, too, I have seen You in the sanctuary”: If only, when I return to the Beit HaMikdash, I could retain the same yearning I felt in the wilderness, in a dry and parched land without water.
In this light, Judah approaching Joseph reflects exile approaching redemption. Both are rooted in the crown. The root of redemption is in Divine pleasure, while the root of exile in the will of the crown whose root is in the highest part of the crown, faith. According to this interpretation, the encounter of Judah and Joseph speaks directly to us in our time known as ikveta deMashicha—the footsteps of the Messiah. It describes the moment when exile reaches out to unite with redemption—Judah approached him.” This is happening in our time, right now.
