My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Yayishlach
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on November 21, 2007 | Tags: Vayishlach
What goes around comes around. The Torah does not pull punches in
telling the stories of the patriarchs, even if our Hebrew School
teachers do. A story you probably didn't learn as a child has to do
with the rape of Jacob's daughter Dinah by Shechem, a local tribesman who then has the audacity to declare he wishes to marry her. "Jacob's sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor -- speaking with guile because he had defiled their sister Dinah." (Gen. 34:13) They convinced the tribesmen to become circumcised. While they were recovering Simeon and Levi came in and slaughtered all the men. Jacob is outraged, but the sons feel they were defending their sister's honor. Where did they get the idea that such subterfuge was an acceptable tactic? Could it be from learning how their father tricked his own brother and father to obtain a birthright and a blessing? Might it be from learning of the ruse that led to the marriage of their parents (Jacob and Leah)? These lessons will be carried forward, more than once, as we move on to the story of Joseph. Perhaps the real lesson here is that if you don't want your children doing something, don't do it yourself.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
