When Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, he tells them to approach with the words, "G'shu na eilai" (גשו נא אלי). Rashi quotes a midrash from Bereishit Rabbah that elaborates on the sparse words of the Torah: "He saw his brothers cowering across the room and said, 'My brothers are indeed ashamed.' He then told them to come close to him in a gentle and forgiving tone, whereupon he showed them that he was circumcised."
My question: Why does the midrash have to add this elaboration? Would the sight of Joseph's circumcision prove his identity beyond any doubt? If the brothers were unable to recognize Joseph's face immediately, how would his circumcision suddenly jar their memories?
A possible answer to my own question: Joseph did not show his circumcision to them for purposes of identification. He showed it to them so that they would know that not only was he Joseph, but that he was still a Jew and loyal to tradition.
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