Zimri Breaks the Fence His Ancestor Simeon Built

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Pinchas 3:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"ZIMRI BEN SALU" (Numbers, the same place). For whoever discredits himself discredits his family along with him. Scripture is astonished over him: "ONE WHO BREACHES A FENCE" (Ecclesiastes 10:8). He is the son of one who made a fence — his ancestor. He was the first to be zealous against harlotry, as it is said: "AND THE TWO SONS OF JACOB, SIMEON AND LEVI, TOOK" (Genesis 34:25). Yet this one breached the fence that his ancestor had fenced.

Themes

TribesSimeonHumorBibleWit

Biblical References

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Book of JubileesJudah's Uncomfortable Encounter With His Own SinBook of Jubilees turns to Judah's Uncomfortable Encounter With His Own Sin. The passage in question, Jubilees 41, picks up after Judah’s wife has passed away. ILegends of the JewsManasseh Took Down the Brothers' Names Without Them KnowingWhen Joseph's brothers arrived in Egypt seeking to buy grain, they were asked their names, and the names of their father and grandfather. Can you feel the tensiLegends of the JewsJoseph Kept Simeon as Hostage and Sent the Others HomeThe brothers of Joseph certainly did. Let’s rewind a bit. A famine strikes, and his brothers, unaware of his true identity, travel to Egypt to buy grain. The stLegends of the JewsEliasaph's MiracleThey’re often more than just labels; they’re little prophecies, echoes of divine favor, or even warnings. Take the story of the tribe of Gad, for instance. TheiMidrash AggadahWhy God Refused to Hide Sodom's Doom from AbrahamWhen the moment came to overturn the cities of the plain, the LORD paused over a question of honor. "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" The reasoMidrash AggadahTamar Daughter of Shem and the Three Months of Her Hidden PregnancyHear how the sages read a single verse and uncover a hidden glory. Scripture says it was "about three months", but the Maggidim teach: not three whole months at