Shalom Friends;<\/p>\n
This week, our Parshat HaShevua Vayishlach is being sponsored by Tzvi and Shari Gherman and family of Ramat Beit Shemesh in honor of Vayishlach being Tzvi’s Bar Mitzvah Parsha. To the Gherman family, many thanks for your sponsorship and your continued kindnesses.<\/p>\n
You can celebrate a Simcha \u2014 a birth, a Bar\/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua.<\/p>\n
Please forward to your relatives and friends and encourage them to sponsor a Parshat HaShevua. And please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details.<\/p>\n
Best Regards,<\/p>\n
Moshe Burt
\nolehchadash@yahoo.com
\nskype: mark.burt3
\n**********************************************<\/p>\n
In past years, this author has discussed Yaakov’s fight with the moloch, his preparations for, and his confrontation with his estranged brother Eisev. This Parsha always seems to bring to mind that old Four Tops tune:<\/a> “If you bite My neck, I’ll turn to Stone…”<\/p>\n Also, in past years, this author has discussed various dimensions of Shechem ben Chamor’s seduction of Dina and his desire to inter-marry with Yaakov’s family, the deep indignation felt by Yaakov’s sons which led to the action of Shimon and Levi against the men of Shechem.<\/p>\n Torah relates the sequence of events (Sefer Breish\u2019t, Perek 34, posukim 1-4, 6-7):<\/p>\n \u201cNow Dinah \u2014 the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Yaakov \u2014 went out to look over the daughters of the land. Shechem, son of Chamor the Hivvite, the prince of the land, saw her; he took her, and he lay with her, and violated her. He became deeply attached to Dinah, daughter of Yaakov; he loved the maiden and spoke to the maiden\u2019s heart. So Shechem spoke to Chamor, his father saying, \u2018Take me this girl for a wife.’\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChamor, Shechem\u2019s father, went out to Yaakov to speak to him. Yaakov\u2019s sons arrived from the field, when they heard; the men were distressed. and were fired deeply with indignation, for he had committed an outrage\u2026 by lying with a daughter of Yaakov \u2014 and such a thing is not done.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Rashi notes on this last posuk (Perek 34, posuk 7):<\/p>\n \u201cAnd such a thing is not done\u201d To violate virgins; for the nations of the world restricted themselves from sexual immorality because of the flood. (cited from Breish\u2019t Rabbah 80:6, \u201cAnd such a thing is not done\u201d implies a widely accepted restriction\u2026 One of the sins for which Hashem destroyed the world at the time of the flood was sexual immorality.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sefer Shem Mishmuel (Shem Mishmuel, by Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein, the Sochaczever Rebbe, as rendered to English by Rabbi Zvi Belovski, Parsha Vayishlach, pages 57-60) discusses the Torah\u2019s account of the capture and violation of Yaakov\u2019s daughter Dinah by Shechem ben Chamor:<\/p>\n \u2026Chamor\u2026 was the ruler of the area. After the rape [of Dinah by Shechem], Shechem and Chamor negotiated with Yaakov\u2019s family for Shechem\u2019s right to marry Dinah. The condition of acceptance was that Shechem and all of his male townsfolk had to circumcise themselves. Shechem was only too eager to carry out the operation \u201c\u2026because he desired the daughter of Yaakov, although he was the most honored of all of his father\u2019s household.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Shem Mishmuel goes on to note that Dinah\u2019s name is not mentioned here, but is referred to as \u201cthe daughter of Yaakov,\u201d indicating that Shechem wanted Dinah, not simply for his physical desires, but because she was Yaakov\u2019s daughter!<\/p>\n Shem Mishmuel goes on to comment:<\/p>\n Shechem wanted to be associated with Yaakov and his family, to be part of Yaakov\u2019s\u2026 world. Indeed, Shechem actually means \u201csegment\u201d or \u201cportion\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n We could say that Shechem wanted a portion in Yaakov\u2019s life; he wanted not just Dinah, but also to share\u2026 [Yaakov\u2019s] greatness. Indeed, this is the opposite of the generally correct position to be taken by a potential convert. The Gemara informs us that the convert should feel that he is privileged to join the Jewish people, even though he is unworthy. (Shem Mishmuel citing Gemara Yevamos 47a) Instead, Shechem felt that he deserved a place within Yaakov\u2019s family.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Rabbi Shmuel Goldin provides a context in his sefer, \u201cUnlocking the Torah Text”, Sefer Breish’t on our Parsha Vayishlach (page 194):<\/p>\n On the third day following the mass circumcision, Yaakov\u2019s sons, Shimon and Levi enter the city, and taking advantage of thee weakened state of the inhabitants, slaughter all of the males. They then lay waste to the entire city.<\/p>\n Yaakov criticizes his sons, claiming that their actioons have made the family vulnerable to attack from the surrounding nations. Shimon and Levi respond: “Shall our sister be treated as a harlot?” (Rabbi Goldin citing Sefer Breish\u2019t, Perek 34, posuk 31)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Rabbi Goldin continues (ibid, page 197-199):<\/p>\n …Scholars maintain, the Shechemites were only going along with the agreement for personal gain at the expense of Yaakov and his family. At the first possible opportunity, Chamor and his subjects would have turned against Yaakov. Shimon and Levi acted to forestall such an eventuality. (Rabbi Goldin citing Sforno on Sefer Breish\u2019t, Perek 34, posuk 25)<\/p>\n …Decades later….on his deathbed, blessing his sons, Yaakov turns to Shimon and Levi and exclaims: ” Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is harsh. I will separate them…, disperse them within Yisrael.” (Rabbi Goldin citing Sefer Breish\u2019t, Perek 49, posuk 7)<\/p>\n Levi becomes the progenitor of both the Kohanim (priests) and the Levi’im (those who serve within the Beit Hamikdash). While the Kohanim and Levi’im owned no land of their own and were, indeed scattered among the tribes, they occupied positions of exceptional honor. Shimon’s descendents, for their part, according to Rabbinic tradition,served as scribes and teachers of young children throughout the land. (Rabbi Goldin citing Rashi on Sefer Breish\u2019t, Perek 49, posuk 7)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n But as the history of the Jews evolves, centuries later, we find that the Levi’im consistently uphold the honor of B’nei Yisrael, while Shevet Shimon does a one hundred and eighty degree turn.<\/p>\n Rabbi Goldin explains in his vort on on Parshat V\u2019zos HaBrachot in his sefer \u201cUnlocking The Torah Text,” Sefer Devarim, (page 370, 372-374):<\/p>\n So grievous is the sin of Ba\u2019al Pe\u2019or and so great the culpability of Shevet Shimon, the Ibn Ezra, Rashi and others maintain that Shevet Shimon [was] completely omitted from Moshe\u2019s final Brachot. (Rabbi Goldin citing Rashi on Sefer Devarim, Perek 33, posuk 7, Ibn Ezra, Sefer Devarim, Perek 33, posuk 6)<\/p>\n …A beautiful Midrash connects and contrasts the fates of Sh\u2019vatim Levi and Shimon, based on their actions in the intervening generations between Yaakov\u2019s Brachot and those of Moshe.<\/p>\n Shimon and Levi, the Midrash explains, both incur a moral debt when, through deceit and violence, they wreak vengeance upon the city of Shechem in response to the rape of their sister Dina.<\/p>\n Ultimately, \u2026Shevet Levi redeems its debt at the foot of Har Sinai, not only by refraining from participation in the sin of the egel zahav [the golden calf], but also by responding to Moshe\u2019s call to action in the sin\u2019s aftermath\u2026. At Moshe\u2019s instruction, the Levites defend Hashem\u2019s honor by executing the active perpetrators of the sin. Furthermore, [in light of the sin of the Ba\u2019al Pe\u2019or], through the daring actions of [Pinchas] one of their own, Shevet Levi goes\u2026 further and, in the terminology of the Midrash, \u201cadvances a loan\u201d to Hashem. (Rabbi Goldin citing Sifrei on Sefer Devarim, Perek 33, posuk 8)<\/p>\n Shevet Shimon, in contrast, not only fails to redeem the moral debt incurred at Shechem, but adds to that debt through the active involvement of its members in the sin of the Ba\u2019al Pe\u2019or. (Rabbi Goldin again citing Sifrei on Sefer Devarim, Perek 33, posuk 8)<\/p>\n The descendants of Shimon, whose violent tendencies lead them again and again to sin, are omitted entirely from Moshe\u2019s blessings and fail to receive their\u2026 [distinct] geographic inheritance in Eretz Yisrael. The descendants of Levi, who apply the same tendency toward zealousness towards good in their \u2026[upholding] of Hashem\u2019s honor, earn one of the most beautiful of Moshe\u2019s Brachot and attain the\u2026 leadership role at nation\u2019s spiritual helm. In contrast to his brother, Levi has more than \u201credeemed his debt\u201d to the Almighty. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n This vort carries the title: The Actions of Shimon and Levi Against Shechem — Consistency of Tribal Hashkafah? for a reason. While Shevet Levi consistently follows his action regarding the Shechemites by pursuing the attributes of national self-respect and righteous service of Hashem throughout our history, such as reflected by answering Moshe’s call “Mi Hashem Ei’lai after the egel zahav and the actions of Pinchas in acting against Zimri and Kosbi as the two co-habited. The same cannot be said for Shevet Shimon.<\/p>\n In the case of Shevet Shimon, while he showed a strong attribute of national self-respect in acting against the Shechemites, his subsequent actions throughout our history reflect a one hundred and eighty degree turn-about. — total loss of national self-respect, apparent contempt for Moshe Rabbeinu and incurring additional “moral debt.”<\/p>\n The Midrash Says (Sefer Bamidbar, page 351) describes how:<\/p>\n The members of the Tribe of Shimon were very distressed because many of their kinsmen had been sentenced to death. They came before their nassi, Zimri, and reproached him, \u201cHow can you keep silent in the face of so many deaths?\u201d<\/p>\n Zimri reacted by brazenly challenging Moshe in public.<\/p>\n Zimri, the prince of Shavet Shimon and the most prominent individual to take part in this act of physical lust, displayed a distorted and false perception and rationale in bringing Kosbi into the Camp and co-habitating with her before The Assembly.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Four years ago, this author cited R\u2019Rafael Katzenellenbogen who is cited in Studies in the Weekly Parsha, by Yehuda Nachshoni referring to R\u2019 Sonnenfeld who noted that Zimri\u2019s distorted sense of \u201cacting for the sake of Shemayim\u201d evolved from;<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026a novel, misleading ideology, that evil must be tolerated by incorporating it into the Camp of Israel, to dissuade the lustful man from finding himself in the camp of idolaters.\u201d (Studies in the Weekly Parsha, by Yehuda Nachshoni, Parsha Balak, page 1115.) <\/p>\n Zimri\u2019s alleged \u201cL\u2019Shem Shemayim\u201d model; bringing co-habitation with Moabite women into the camp of B\u2019nai Yisrael lest men go looking for it outside, i.e., at the Midianite\/Moabite Bazaar where the co-habitation was an enticement and seduction to the avodah zora Ba\u2019al Pe\u2019or, seemed a cover for his (Zimri\u2019s) true motivations and intentions. Zimri\u2019s \u201cIn your face, Moshe\u201d demeanor appeared as motivated by lust for power, just as Korach\u2019s true motivations were covered by rationale of accusation of nepotism against Moshe Rabbeinu and Aaron.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Shevet Shimon’s one-hundred and eighty degree turn foretells the dilemma of many Jews in our generations. <\/p>\n Jews stood everywhere with the Tzedaka cans collecting funds for Israel pre-statehood and during its modern-day infancy. Jews risked all to smuggle weapons and other goods to the infant State of Israel. And American Jews’ emotions hung on every report during the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. <\/p>\n Yet, many Jews, particularly many American Jews and Jews of other Western nations, have evolved into a similar one-hundred and eighty degree turn, to the extent that they identify primarily as citizens of the United States, or wherever they currently reside, with a substantial de-emphasis and destructive self-hatred of their Judaism. Like, Shevet Shimon, many Jews have totally lost their sense of national self-respect and righteousness. An unfortunate lesson seemingly unlearned in our generations.<\/p>\n May we, the B\u2019nei Yisrael be zocha that our brethren \u2014 the refugee families from Gush Katif be permanently settled and be made totally whole \u2014 be totally restituted for all that was stolen from them and that the thrice expelled families of Amona be restored to their rebuilt homes, at government expense; both due to alt-leftist-agendized, supreme court legalized Yassamnik gunpoint. Baruch Hashem that our dear brother Jonathan Pollard is now free of his parole and restrictions and can come home to Eretz Yisrael once his ill wife Esther Yocheved bat Rayzl Bracha completes her treatments for cancer. May the MIAs be liberated alive and returned to us in ways befitting Al Kiddush Hashem \u2014 as with the return in April, 2019, via Russia, of the remains of Zachariah Baumel,<\/a> as should the remains of the two chayalim from the Gaza War of five and a half years ago. May we have the courage and strength to stand up and physically prevent the possibility of Chas V\u2019Challila any future eviction of Jews from their homes and prevent Chas V\u2019Challila the handing of Jewish land over to anyone, let alone to enemies sworn to Israel\u2019s and Judaism\u2019s destruction and eradication. And may we soon and finally see the total end to the Communist Chinese corona virus pandemic and all like viruses. May we fulfill Hashem\u2019s blueprint of B\u2019nei Yisrael as a Unique people \u2014 an Am Segula, not to be reckoned with as with \u201cthe nations\u201d and may we be zocha to see the Moshiach, the Ge\u2019ula Shlaima, as Dov Shurin sings; \u201cKi Karov Yom Hashem Al\u2019Kol HaGoyim\u201d, the Ultimate Redemption, bimhayrah b\u2019yamainu \u2014 speedily, in our time\u201d, \u2014 Achshav, Chik Chuk, Miyad, Etmol!!!<\/p>\n