It’s a powerful emotion, one that can lead us down paths we never thought we’d tread. The Torah, our sacred text, is full of stories that explore these complex human emotions, and the story of Simon, the second son of Jacob, is a potent example.
As Ginzberg recounts in Legends of the Jews, Simon, on his deathbed, just like his brother Reuben, gathers his sons to confess his sins and offer a vital warning. Where Reuben cautioned against unchastity, the vice that had led to his own downfall, Simon focuses on the sin that plagued him: boundless envy of Joseph.
"I was the second son," Simon says, according to the legend, explaining that his mother Leah named him Simon, meaning "the Lord has heard," because God had heard her prayer. He describes himself as strong, fearless, and hard-hearted. "And in the days of my youth," he confesses, "I was jealous of Joseph, for our father loved him more than all the rest of us, and I resolved to kill him."
Imagine the weight of that confession. To admit, at the end of your life, that you plotted to kill your own brother because of jealousy. The text tells us that "the prince of temptation" sent a "spirit of jealousy" to take hold of him, blinding him to the fact that Joseph was his own flesh and blood, and causing him to disregard even his father, Jacob.
But as the story goes, God intervened, sending an angel to save Joseph. When Simon went to Shechem, while Reuben was in Dothan, their brother Judah sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites. Interestingly, Reuben, upon his return, was heartbroken, for he had intended to rescue Joseph and return him to their father. But Simon, consumed by his envy, was enraged that Judah had allowed Joseph to live! His anger, we're told, lasted for five long months.
How did Simon overcome this consuming emotion? The legend tells us that God restrained him, causing his right hand to wither for seven days. It was then that Simon realized the divine hand at play, understanding that what happened was for the sake of Joseph. He repented, praying for his hand to be restored and for the strength to resist defilement, envy, and folly. For two years, he dedicated himself to fasting and the fear of God, realizing that true redemption from jealousy could only come through this deep reverence.
When Jacob noticed Simon's sadness, Simon feigned a liver ailment, hiding the true source of his sorrow: the knowledge that he was responsible for Joseph's sale. Later, in Egypt, when Joseph, now a powerful figure, bound Simon as a spy, Simon accepted it as just retribution. But Joseph, in his goodness and compassion, bore no resentment, loving Simon as he loved the others, honoring them all with gifts of gold, cattle, and produce.
Simon's final words to his sons are a plea: "Do ye love one another, each one his brother, with a clean heart, and remove the spirit of jealousy from the midst of you." He also echoes Reuben's warning against unchastity, calling it the "mother of all evil," separating humanity from God. He even alludes to prophecies found in the writings of Enoch, foretelling that Simon's descendants would be corrupted by unchastity and would mistreat the sons of Levi. However, they would ultimately fail against Levi, for Levi's war would be the war of the Lord. As a result, Simon's descendants would be scattered, with none rising to be a judge or king, just as Jacob had prophesied.
After his admonitions, Simon died at the age of 120. His sons placed him in a coffin of imperishable wood, carrying his remains to Hebron in secret during a war between the Egyptians and Canaanites, a practice followed by all the tribes. Only Joseph's bones remained in Egypt, guarded by the Egyptians who feared the darkness and misfortune that their magicians predicted would follow their removal.
Simon's story serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of envy and the importance of brotherly love. It shows us that even in the face of deep-seated jealousy, repentance, and a commitment to living a life guided by faith and love, can lead to redemption. It also underscores the power of forgiveness, as demonstrated by Joseph's unwavering love for his brothers, even after their betrayal. So, the next time you feel that pang of envy, remember Simon's story and strive to choose love and understanding over bitterness and resentment.