Why Jacob Hiding Dinah in a Chest Led to Shechem

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayishlach 19:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Genesis 34:2:) "AND HE TOOK HER, AND LAY WITH HER, AND AFFLICTED HER." And on account of what sin did the uncircumcised one come upon her? It is written (Job 6:14): "TO HIM WHO IS DESPONDENT, KINDNESS IS DUE FROM HIS NEIGHBOR, EVEN IF HE FORSAKES THE FEAR OF the Almighty." Rather, at the time when our father Jacob was coming and the tribes were with him, Dinah was with him. When the messengers came and said to him (Genesis 32:7): "WE CAME TO YOUR BROTHER, TO ESAU," Jacob took Dinah and placed her in a chest, so that Esau should not see her and take her for a wife. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You withheld her from him. By your life, she is destined for an uncircumcised man! This is what is written (Job 6:14): "TO HIM WHO IS DESPONDENT, KINDNESS IS DUE FROM HIS NEIGHBOR." Had she been married to Esau, perhaps she would have brought him under the wings of the Divine Presence. When Job took her, did she not bring him under the wings of the Divine Presence? Therefore, because you withheld her, behold, the son of a cursed one has come against her, as it is written (Genesis 34:2): "AND SHECHEM THE SON OF HAMOR SAW HER."

Themes

ConversionPatriarchsWomenJacobHumor

Biblical References

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