Daily Chumash Parshas Vayishlach Chamishi – Dina is kidnapped and violated

Chamishi

1. Dina is kidnapped and raped:

• Dina, the daughter of Leah, came out to see the daughters of Shechem. Shechem, the son of Chamor, the president of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, violated her and oppressed her. His soul became attached to Dina. He loved her and spoke to her heart. Shechem requested from his father that he arrange that Dina be given to him as a wife.
• Yaakov and his sons hear the news: Yaakov heard that Dina was defiled. He did not say anything until his sons returned from the field. Chamor, the father of Shechem, met with Yaakov. The brothers were very angry when they heard what happened.
• The negotiations and agreements with Chamor: Chamor offered that if they give Dina to his son Shechem as a wife, he will let them take their daughters for them as wives and they would be able to live freely on the land. Shechem also pleaded with Yaakov and his sons to be given Dina as a wife, and in exchange he will give whatever dowry he is asked. The children of Yaakov connivingly answered Shechem and Chamor that they can only agree to the marriage if all the males of the land circumcise themselves. Chamor, and Shechem agreed to the terms, and the circumcision took place right away.
• The circumcision of Shechem: Chamor and Shechem convinced the city inhabitants to circumcise themselves, under the argument that doing so will allow them to unify with Yaakov and do commerce with them.
• The city is annihilated and ransacked: On the third day after the circumcision, when the inhabitants were in great pain, Shimon and Levi came and killed all the male inhabitants of the city. They killed Chamor and Shechem with the sword and took Dina from the house of Shechem. They took spoils from the city. They took the cattle, all their wives and children, and all that was in their homes.
• Yaakov’s reaction: Yaakov confronted Shimon and Levi for murdering the city inhabitants, arguing that it will cause the surrounding nations to attack them, and wipe them out. The brothers replied, “Can we allow our sister to be like a harlot.”

2. Yaakov returns to Beis-El:

• Building an altar: Hashem came to Yaakov and told him to return to Beis-El and build an altar in commemoration of running away from Eisav his brother.
• Idol cleansing: Yaakov commanded his family to get rid of all the idols that are amongst them, and to change their clothing. Yaakov took all the idols, and earrings and buried them under the tree, near Shechem.
• They traveled, and all the cities feared them and did not begin a war with them.
• Yaakov arrived in Luz, which is Beis El, and built the altar.
• Devora dies: Devorah, the nurse of Rivka, passed away, and was buried beneath the mountain of Beis El which Yaakov named Alon Bachus.
• Yaakov is blessed: Hashem appeared again to Yaakov and blessed him. Hashem told Yaakov that his name will no longer be Yaakov, but Yisrael. Yaakov was promised that a great nation would come forth from him.