Difference between revisions of "Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi/2"
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<point><b>"וּבִרְצֹנָם עִקְּרוּ שׁוֹר"</b> – These sources offer three possible explanations of the word "שׁוֹר", all of which might relate to the decimation of Shekhem:<br/> | <point><b>"וּבִרְצֹנָם עִקְּרוּ שׁוֹר"</b> – These sources offer three possible explanations of the word "שׁוֹר", all of which might relate to the decimation of Shekhem:<br/> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Ox</b> – Yaakov is referring to the oxen which were taken from Shekhem as booty and hamstrung.<fn>See | + | <li><b>Ox</b> – Yaakov is referring to the oxen which were taken from Shekhem as booty and hamstrung.<fn>See one possibility brought by each of Radak, R. Avraham b. HaRambam and Ramban.</fn></li> |
<li><b>Wall</b> – The word "שׁוֹר"  is understood as if written "שׁוּר", and means wall.<fn>See the word's usage in Bereshit 49:22, "בָּנוֹת צָעֲדָה עֲלֵי שׁוּר".</fn> Yaakov is speaking of the walls of the city which the brothers destroyed.<fn>See Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Ibn Ezra and Radak.</fn></li> | <li><b>Wall</b> – The word "שׁוֹר"  is understood as if written "שׁוּר", and means wall.<fn>See the word's usage in Bereshit 49:22, "בָּנוֹת צָעֲדָה עֲלֵי שׁוּר".</fn> Yaakov is speaking of the walls of the city which the brothers destroyed.<fn>See Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Ibn Ezra and Radak.</fn></li> | ||
− | <li><b>Leader</b> – The word is a metaphor for a strong individual, and thus can refer to either Shekhem or Hamor, whom the brothers killed.<fn>See Radak in the name of R. Yaakov b. Elazar | + | <li><b>Leader</b> – The word is a metaphor for a strong individual, and thus can refer to either Shekhem or Hamor, whom the brothers killed.<fn>See Radak in the name of R. Yaakov b. Elazar, R. Avraham b. HaRambam and Ramban.  One might compares this to the elite of Shomeron being referred to as "פָּרוֹת הַבָּשָׁן" (Amos 4:1) or the heads of Moav being labelled "אֵילֵי מוֹאָב " (Shemot 15:15). R. Hirsch similarly explains that the word שור means "power."  According to him, the verse is saying that by pretending to act with good will (ברצונם), the brothers managed to uproot the power (עקרו שור) of Shekehm and Hamor, enabling them, in their anger, to kill the two.</fn> If so, the two clauses, "כִּי בְאַפָּם הָרְגוּ אִישׁ" and "וּבִרְצֹנָם עִקְּרוּ שׁוֹר", are parallel and refer to the same action.</li> |
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>"אָרוּר אַפָּם כִּי עָז"</b> – Most of these sources suggest that Yaakov stopped short of actually cursing the brothers:<br/> | <point><b>"אָרוּר אַפָּם כִּי עָז"</b> – Most of these sources suggest that Yaakov stopped short of actually cursing the brothers:<br/> |
Version as of 11:28, 19 December 2018
Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi
Exegetical Approaches
The Episode of Shekhem
Yaakov's words to Shimon and Levi reference the story of Shekhem. This position splits regarding whether it assumes that Yaakov is rebuking or praising Shimon and Levi for their actions:
Rebuke
Yaakov chastises the brothers for their role in the slaughter of Shekhem, expressing his anger at the deed.
- According to R. Avraham b. HaRambam and Ramban, Yaakov is saying that the brothers' whole life is rooted in acts of violence (as demonstrated in Shekhem).
- Ibn Ezra and Radak, in contrast, assert that Yaakov tells the brothers that their attack was unjust (חָמָס) specifically because the Shekhemites were living with them in the land (מְכֵרֹתֵיהֶם[ב]). In other words, since they had made a covenant with the Shekhemites to live together peacefully and share the land,5 their later slaughter was deceitful and wicked.6
- Past - Most of these sources read this verse as if it were written in the past tense. Yaakov makes clear that he had not been part of either the brothers' secret scheme or its execution.7
- Future - R. Hirsch, in contrast, asserts that Yaakov is saying that due to the extremity of their deeds, Shimon and Levi's plots and gatherings will never represent or determine the will and honor of the nation. [R. Hirsch reads "נַפְשִׁי" and "כְּבֹדִי" to refer to the soul and honor of Israel, the nation, and not Yaakov, the individual.]
- Ox – Yaakov is referring to the oxen which were taken from Shekhem as booty and hamstrung.8
- Wall – The word "שׁוֹר" is understood as if written "שׁוּר", and means wall.9 Yaakov is speaking of the walls of the city which the brothers destroyed.10
- Leader – The word is a metaphor for a strong individual, and thus can refer to either Shekhem or Hamor, whom the brothers killed.11 If so, the two clauses, "כִּי בְאַפָּם הָרְגוּ אִישׁ" and "וּבִרְצֹנָם עִקְּרוּ שׁוֹר", are parallel and refer to the same action.
- R. Avraham b. HaRambam and R. Hirsch stress that Yaakov cursed the brothers' extreme anger and violence, but not the brothers themselves.
- According to Radak and Ibn Ezra, in contrast, Yaakov's words "אָרוּר אַפָּם" constitute a prayer that Shimon and Levi's anger be diminished.12
Praise
Yaakov's words comprise a blessing to the brothers for their zealotry in defending Dinah.
Attempt to Kill Yosef
Yaakov's rebuke revolves around Shimon and Levi's role in the plot to kill and sell Yosef.
Fiery Temperament
Yaakov does not speak of any specific event, but rather about the brothers' fiery temperament and nature. This position subdivides regarding whether it views this trait as worthy of praise or censure:
Worthy of Censure
Yaakov views the brothers' wrath negatively, and points to it as the reason that neither Shimon nor Levi merit kingship.
Worthy of Praise
Yaakov praises the brothers' anger and willingness to kill, recognizing it as a necessary trait for the survival of the nation. The brothers' fiery temperament will ensure that there is always someone who will fight Israel's battles and instill fear in her enemies.
Combination
Yaakov's words to Yosef touch on multiple events, both the past crimes of selling Yosef and slaughtering Shekhem, and the future sins of Zimri and Korach.