The Legends of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg's masterful compilation of rabbinic lore, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the deathbed confession of Dan, one of Jacob’s sons. It's a raw and honest moment where he lays bare his soul before his family.
As Dan gathers his children around him for the last time, he says, "I confess before you… that I had resolved to kill Joseph." Can you imagine the weight of those words? He admits that he rejoiced in Joseph's sale, driven by envy because their father loved Joseph more. The internal struggle is palpable. Dan describes being goaded by "the spirit of envy and boastfulness," a voice whispering, "Thou, too, art the son of Jacob." He even claims a spirit of Behar – a term some understand as referring to a destructive force – stirred him to murder.
It's a powerful image: Dan, on the verge of committing an unspeakable act, stopped only by divine intervention. "But the God of our father Jacob did not deliver him into my hand," he says, acknowledging that he was prevented from executing his "impious deed." He recognized that had he been successful, "two tribes in Israel might not be destroyed."
But the confession isn't just about the past. It's a warning for the future. Dan implores his children to avoid the "spirit of lies and anger," to embrace truth and generosity. "Evil is anger," he warns, "it is the grave of the soul." He recognized anger’s insidious nature, how it "casts the net of error" and blinds one's eyes, and the way "the spirit of lies warps his mind, and clouds his vision."
What’s so striking is the connection Dan makes between personal integrity and the well-being of the community. He tells them that if they speak truth to each other, they will avoid anger and trouble and live in peace. "The Lord of peace you will have with you," he promises.
And then comes a prophecy, a somber prediction of what's to come. Dan foresees his descendants falling away from God, kindling the wrath of Levi (one of the other brothers), and rebelling against Judah. He envisions them succumbing to the temptations of the heathen, committing "abominations" and "unchastity." The consequence? Captivity, exile, and suffering. This echoes the warnings we find in texts like Deuteronomy, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curses.
Yet, even in this bleak prophecy, there's a glimmer of hope. Dan assures his children that if they return to God, they will find mercy. He will bring them back to His sanctuary and grant them peace.
His final words are a call to action. "Fear the Lord, and be on your guard against Satan and his spirits." He urges them to avoid evil, cast away anger and lies, and embrace truth and forbearance. He instructs them to pass on what they have learned from him to their own children. And with a final act of love, he asks to be buried near his fathers. Then, Dan kisses his children, and falls asleep.
Dan's confession is a powerful reminder that even those who make mistakes, who struggle with their inner demons, can leave behind a legacy of wisdom and guidance. It's a testament to the enduring power of repentance, the importance of ethical behavior, and the unwavering hope for redemption. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what confessions we might make at the end of our own lives, and what legacy we hope to leave behind.