Difference between revisions of "Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Vayishlach/0/en"
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| − | The parashah opens iwth YAakov fearful that Esav is coming to attack with 400 men. when the two actually reunite, however, Esav greets him with a  hug and kiss.  Was the change of heart the result of Yaakov's efforts of appeasement, or is it possible that Yaakov's original evaluation of Esav's intent was erroneous?  Copmpare <multilink><a href="RadakBereshit33-4" data-aht="source">Radak</a><a href="RadakBereshit33-4" data-aht="source">Bereshit 33:4</a><a href="R. David Kimchi (Radak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Kimchi</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="RashbamBereshit32-7-8" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamBereshit32-7-8" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:7-8</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>.  Rashbam goes as far as to suggest that Yaakov's unwarranted fear of his brother and attempts to flee were punished. See Wrestling With Angels and Men | + | The parashah opens iwth YAakov fearful that Esav is coming to attack with 400 men. when the two actually reunite, however, Esav greets him with a  hug and kiss.  Was the change of heart the result of Yaakov's efforts of appeasement, or is it possible that Yaakov's original evaluation of Esav's intent was erroneous?  Copmpare <multilink><a href="RadakBereshit33-4" data-aht="source">Radak</a><a href="RadakBereshit33-4" data-aht="source">Bereshit 33:4</a><a href="R. David Kimchi (Radak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Kimchi</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="RashbamBereshit32-7-8" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamBereshit32-7-8" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:7-8</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>.  Rashbam goes as far as to suggest that Yaakov's unwarranted fear of his brother and attempts to flee were punished. See <a href="Wrestling With Angels and Men" data-aht="page">Wrestling With Angels and Men</a> |
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Version as of 02:03, 15 December 2016
Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Vayishlach
Shimon and Levi on Trial
How do you evaluate Shimon and Levi's slaughter of the city of Shekhem? Should their actions be justified as an appropriate avenging of their sister's honor or be condemned as overly harsh and cruel? Alternatively, was the deed perhaps undesirable, but nonetheless a necessary response to the rape? See Sin and Slaughter of Shekhem for details.
The story raises the question of the relative benefits of policies of restraint versus active deterrence, and the morality of collective punishment versus targeted killings. Debate these issues with your family both as they relate to the actions of the brothers and to contemporary politics.
