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34:6) "And Jacob heard that his
daughter Dinah had been defiled but
his sons were with the flocks in the
field, so Jacob remained silent until
they came." Jacob together with his
sons conceived the strategy of the cir-
cumcision, but for just one reason —
to safely retrieve Dinah.
n this week's Torah portion,
When Levi and Shimon came in
there are a number of events
to the city, the verse tells us (Genesis
that befall Jacob and his family
34:25-26) "And they killed every
as they return to Canaan.
male and Hamor and Shechem, his
Among these events is the rape
son, they killed by the
and abduction of Jacob's
sword and they took Dinah
only daughter, Dinah. She is
from the house of Shechem
forcibly raped and abducted
and went." The Torah is
by Shechem, the prince of
telling us that in order to
the city of Shechem, who
retrieve Dinah, they had to :‘D
then insists that his father,
kill the males who defended
Hamor, the king, negotiate
their prince and his actions.
his marriage to Dinah.
Thus, to get to Shechem
The Torah tells us that
and his house, they had first
the sons of Jacob deceitfully
to fight with the other
RABBI
agree to the marriage and,
males, then Hamor, then
ELIEZER
further, agree to become "as
Shechem himself before
COHEN
one" with the inhabitants of
they could safely get to
Special to
the city if the men agree to
Dinah.
The Jewish News
be circumcised. After all of
Jacob's rebuke was not
the males are incapacitated
for this necessary killing,
by the circumcision surgery, Levi and
but rather for the subsequent, unjus-
Shimon slaughter every male and
tified despoiling of the city, which
despoil the city. Whereupon Jacob
was not necessary for the rescue. It
chastises them severely for their
was to this punitive act of plunder
deeds. They reply: "Can they treat
and enslavement of the women and
our sister as a harlot?" (Genesis 34:31)
children that Jacob objected and that
This episode in the Torah leaves
drew the response of his sons.
numerous questions unanswered. If,
indeed, Jacob is so appalled at his
sons' behavior, what role did he play
in the discussion with Hamor? Was
he really willing to have Shechem
marry Dinah? Was he willing to
Shabbat Shelanu (Our Shabbat),
become one tribe with the city?
Congregation B'nai Moshe's Shabbat
Furthermore, at the end of Genesis
morning play group for children age
(48:22), Jacob declares that: "I give ...
2 1/2 through 4, is a complimentary
Shechem ... that I took from the
drop-in program which allows par-
Amorite with my sword and my
ents to participate in worship ser-
bow." The biggest question is obvi-
vices while their young children
ously the barbarity of Jacob's sons in
enjoy Shabbat-appropriate games and
massacring all of the males out of
other play activities under the super-
anger at the deeds of one man. How
vision of teacher Paula Schane-
could they commit such a reprehensi-
Koscik.
ble act?
Shabbat Shelanu runs from 10-
It seems to me that if (as with the
11:30 a.m., at which time the chil-
Torah in general) we take a very close
dren are brought into the main sanc-
look at the verses themselves, these
tuary to join the congregation for the
questions and others can be
last few minutes of the service,
answered. First of all, Jacob was cer-
including kiddush and closing songs. °
tainly involved with the negotiations
No reservations are necessary, and
and deceit and for good reason;
all interested families are invited to
Dinah was still being held captive by
participate, regardless of synagogue
Shechem and the primary concern
membership. Children younger than
was for her safe return.
2 1/2 are also welcome to participate
Thus, the Torah says: (Genesis
in Shabbat Shelanu if accompanied
by a parent, grandparent, or other
Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of
adult. L
Congregation Or Chao/ash.
Shabbat Vayishlach:
Genesis 32:4-36:43;
Hosea 11:7-12:12.
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