Dear TBZ community:
Parshat Vayishlach includes what I think is one of the most disturbing stories in the Torah: the rape of Dinah followed by the slaying of the people of Shekhem.
This story comes just after two more well known, and often more discussed stories: first Jacob's encounter with the "Ish" the man that then gives Jacob his new name, "Israel” and the subsequent reconciliation of Jacob and Esau.
וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא יַעֲקֹב יֵאָמֵר עוֹד שִׁמְךָ
כִּי אִם־יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי־שָׂרִיתָ עִם־אֱלֹהִים וְעִם־אֲנָשִׁים וַתּוּכָל
Said he: Your name shall no longer be Jacob,
but Israel, for you have
striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed
(Genesis 32:29)
Jacob's journey has brought him to this moment of radical transformation that allows him to reconcile with a past of deceit, of lies, of fears and of trauma.
Yet the story that comes immediately following Jacob’s transformative moment when perhaps for the first time he can walk freely without carrying guilt and shame, is the rape of his daughter Dinah. And at that moment, Jacob remains silent.
וְיַעֲקֹב שָׁמַע כִּי טִמֵּא אֶת־דִּינָה בִתּוֹ וּבָנָיו הָיוּ אֶת־מִקְנֵהוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה וְהֶחֱרִשׁ יַעֲקֹב עַד־בֹּאָם
Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah; but since his sons were in the field with his cattle, Jacob kept silent until they came home.
(Genesis 34:5)
It’s only then that Jacob finally finds his words. He is outraged, but not primarily by the rape. He’s alarmed by the precarious position that his sons’ revenge war on Shekhem has put him in. עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם אֹתִי֒ — You have brought trouble on me, he says, or as the Artscroll translates: You have discomposed me. You have unsettled the political order for me! Now I will be hated among all the inhabitants of the land, who may band together to annihilate me (Gen 34:30).
Jacob’s silence in one hand and his outrage for the consequences that this will bring to him on the other, is troubling and unfortunately not unfamiliar in our present day.
Quoting Rabbi Brous again:
Her father — the moral compass of the family, the model of spiritual mobility — fails to protect her, before, during, or after her assault. And her brothers, with their righteous fury, only wreak more trauma on more victims, including an entire population of women captives.
Though we often read these texts and especially the treatment of women with the refrain: “it was different back then.” We know that this excuse of silence, righteous fury and violence is not something only in the past. Although much has changed “since the Torah” much has not.
Again, in Rabbi Brous’s words:
Dina’s story reveals a society so rooted in patriarchal assumptions that not only assault and abuse, but also shaming, blaming and invisibilizing of girls and women, are more the norm than the exception. If only these norms were unique to the ancient world.
Uprising
Me too, Dinah,
me too.
If only you could
see us now,
all the great men falling
like the idols of your
great, great grandfather,
egos slain
like the men of Shechem.
If only you could
see us now,
your sisters
taught to make nice,
take care –
shouting,
me too.
No more.
All your sisters trained
to harbor shame
for going out,
claiming space,
craving more.
Because we asked for it
so we deserved it.
If only you could
see us now, Dinah,
our truth
rising up like song.
It is much easier to read these stories in the Torah just as an “old” tale of our people. The real challenge for us is to reflect on them in our present lives and do our part to bring tikkun - healing. Our challenge, this time, is not to be the Jacob who, even after he is transformed and is able to face God, chooses to remain silent.
May we have the courage not to remain silent and instead to speak out, with our full voice, against injustice, violation and violence.
May this Shabbat bring renewal and blessings to all of you and your loved ones.
May we find strength, courage, and patience, and open our hearts with generosity.
May we start the journey of learning Torah together again, in depth and with joy.
May all those who are ill find healing.
May we have a joyful and restful Shabbat!
Shabbat Shalom,
