בס״ד

Into The Weekly Parsha

November 28, 2015 This week's Insights are dedicated in memory of Ze'ev ben Mordechai Avraham VOLUME 6, ISSUE 8 By the Rosen Family. “May his Neshama have an Aliya.” 16 KISLEV Based on the of our Rosh HaYeshiva HaRav Yochanan Zweig PARSHAS VAYISHLACH

The Torah (34:1-28) relates the story reveals not only their mistake but of who was abducted and also an important lesson on how raped by , the son Chamor. justice is supposed to be carried out. This led to the ultimate destruction The Torah says (49:7) “Cursed be of the city and its entire male their anger, for it was fierce; and populace at the hands of her their wrath, for it was cruel…” brothers Shimon and . (ad loc) explains that “even while he (Melachim 9:14) (Yaakov) curses, he only curses their Table Talk explains that they were justified in anger.” In other words, while their killing all the males actions were in the city because, When executing justice justified, they acted under the seven one must not let his out of anger which Noachide laws, a emotions enter into his was wrong. When non-Jew is put to actions. executing justice death for not one must not let his setting up a court system. In this emotions enter into his actions. case, Shechem had perpetrated his Incidentally, their punishment was The Gemara (Sanhedrin 99b) relates that kidnapping with the full knowledge pretty severe, according to Rashi Timna, who eventually became a wife to that the city’s inhabitants would not and Bal Haturim (ad loc) this Elifaz son of Esav, was of royal lineage. do anything to bring him to justice. transgression caused their For this reason they all deserved to respective tribes to lose their shares Originally she wanted to convert and be put to death. Given that Shimon in Eretz Yisroel. We have to marry into the house of Avraham, and Levi were acting as agents of remember that justice has to be Yitzchak, and Yaakov but was repeatedly justice why did Yaakov curse them in done only because we are obligated turned away. Undeterred, she exclaimed Parshas Vayechi for their act (49:5- to right wrongs in the eyes of G-d that it is preferable to be a handmaiden to 7)? and not merely do things that make us feel better. this nation (Klal Yisrael) than to be a A closer examination of the pasukim noblewoman in any other nation. She therefore became a concubine to Elifaz, son of Esav, who was from the house of Avraham and Yitzchak and nephew to  Miami Beach, FL  Hollywood, FL  San Diego, CA Yaakov. Elifaz was “raised on the lap of  Bal Harbour, FL  Boca Raton, FL  Denver, CO Yitzchak” which was why he refused to do  N. Miami Beach, FL  Dallas, TX  Toronto, Canada his father’s bidding and kill Yaakov,    Vayeitzei (29:11). Ultimately her union Skylake, FL Baltimore, MD Caracas, Venezuela with Elifaz led to the birth of . How  Aventura, FL  Monsey, NY is it possible that someone who gave up To bring INSIGHTS to your everything to connect with the Jewish community email: people and marries the best of Esav’s [email protected] children would have a child who would become the Looking for more inspiration? Join one of Zweig’s arch enemy of the Jewish live broadcast classes. people and seek their The Splendor of Shabbos: Wednesdays 10:00 am – 11:00 am destruction time and time Parshas HaShavua : Thursdays 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm again? Business Professional (Parsha): Fridays 6:40 am – 7:40 am RabbiZweig.com “And he (Yaakov) rose that night, and took his two wives, and his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the stream Jabbok…” (32:23) In this week’s Parsha (33:19) the Torah Rashi (ad loc) raises the question of bitterly until it affected the relates that Yaakov purchased a large the whereabouts of Yaakov’s appearance of her eyes. tract of land from Chamor, the father daughter Dina. Rashi explains that How is it possible that is praised of Shechem for one hundred “Kesita”. Yaakov tried to hide her (by locking for not wanting to marry Esav and yet The Targum here explains that it was her in a box) so that Esav wouldn't Yaakov is punished for not wanting transacted with international see her. Rashi comments that Dina Dina to fall to Esav? currency, similar to Avraham’s might have been able to return Esav purchase of the Meoras to righteousness. For this reason The answer lies in family and familial Hamachpeilah. Similarly, when Yaakov was punished and Dina was responsibilities. Leah was merely a bought the Temple Mount he paid “full subsequently abducted by Shechem. first cousin of Esav and in addition value” (Divrei Hayomim I 21:21). their families hadn't even seen each This is very difficult to understand. In Fascinatingly, the (Bereishis other in almost one hundred years. last week's Parsha Leah’s eyes are Rabbah 79:7) explains that these three She doesn't have an obligation to described as unattractive. The purchases were unique in that no Esav. But Yaakov was Esav’s brother Gemara (Baba Basra 123a) asks: The nation could dispute the Jewish and the very definition of Torah is so careful to not even brotherhood is self sacrifice (as we people’s ownership of these areas. The mention a negative word when discussed last week). Yaakov is reason for this lies in the type of talking about animals, how is it punished because his obligation to his purchase. These three areas were possible that the Torah would brother is to do whatever it takes to bought as sovereign transaction. That mention a negative trait of one of our try and save him. In this he fails Esav is, much like the Louisiana Purchase foremothers? The Gemara answers and he is severely punished. It is from France or the Alaska Purchase that, in fact, the condition of Leah's therefore no wonder that Dina is from Russia, these were transactions eyes speak to her virtues. Leah had ultimately saved by Shimon and Levi between two sovereign entities. overheard the rumors that she was “her brothers” (34:25) and Rashi (ad Avraham, Yaakov, and Dovid intended supposed to marry Esav. At the loc) comments “they are called her these properties to become the thought that she would be connected brothers because they sacrificed national heritage of the Jewish people. to such a wicked person, she was so themselves for her.” The Arabs who sold these properties overcome with sadness that she cried never forgave themselves for giving up sovereign ownership. Little wonder then that the three flash points of violence and enmity in every “intifada” Then was greatly afraid and distressed... (32:8) are centered on the Temple Mount, Rashi (ad loc) comments that Yaakov was frightened that he might be killed Meoras Hamachpeilah (Chevron), and and very bothered that he might have to kill others. Yet the obligates Shechem (’s Tomb) as they are us in self defense – “if one is coming to kill you, rise up earlier and kill the ultimate proof of the everlasting him” (Berachos 58a). Why should Yaakov be overly bothered by this? bond between the Jewish people and Think you know the answer? Be one of the first 5 correct respondents and win a the land of . prize. Go to the Insights page on RabbiZweig.com to enter

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