Let’s talk about Jacob, his sons, and a family feud for the ages.
The scene: Jacob, on his deathbed, surrounded by his sons. You’d think it would be a time for peace, reflection, maybe a little bit of forgiveness. But no. Jacob’s got some things to say – and they aren’t exactly words of comfort.
He starts with Reuben (we won't get into all the details here but needless to say, Reuben was in hot water with his father.) Then, he turns his attention to Simon and Levi. Oh, Simon and Levi. These two…where do we even begin?
"Brethren ye were of Dinah, but not of Joseph, whom you sold into slavery," Jacob declares. Ouch. Talk about bringing up old wounds. According to Legends of the Jews by Ginzberg, Jacob is calling them out for their actions – specifically, the brutal slaughter of the men of Shechem after the incident involving their sister, Dinah.
And it doesn’t stop there. Jacob accuses them of using "stolen weapons," saying it wasn't right for them to draw the sword. That, he says, was Esau’s portion, the birthright Esau forfeited. "To him was it said, 'By thy sword shalt thou live.'" (Genesis 27:40)
Then comes the really harsh stuff. "Into the council of the tribe of Simon my soul will not come…and my glory will not be united unto the assembly of Korah, the descendants of Levi." Strong words, right? He’s disassociating himself, even in death, from their actions. He’s essentially saying, "I want nothing to do with the violence and the rebelliousness you represent."
But why such a strong reaction? Well, Jacob saw their actions as stemming from unchecked anger. "In their anger Simon and Levi slew the prince of Shechem, and in their self-will they sold Joseph the bull into slavery." The selling of Joseph – a betrayal that shaped so much of their family history – is right there alongside the massacre at Shechem.
The consequences, according to Jacob, will be dire. "Accursed was the city of Shechem when they entered to destroy it." And then comes the kicker: "Therefore will I divide and scatter their possession among the possessions of the other tribes." Their strength, their unity, will be broken.
The tribes of Simon and Levi, Jacob prophesies, will be scattered and dependent on others. "The descendants of Simon will many of them be poor men, who will wander from tribe to tribe and beg for bread, and also Levi's tribe will gather its tithes and gifts from all the others."
And interestingly, history bears this out, at least in part. The tribe of Levi, while not exactly "poor," did become the priestly tribe, responsible for the Temple service and supported by the tithes of the other tribes. They were dispersed throughout the land, living in designated cities, but without a specific territory of their own.
So, what are we to make of this fiery deathbed scene? It's a reminder that actions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for our descendants. It’s also a testament to the enduring power of family – even when that power is used to wound. And perhaps it’s a warning: unchecked anger, especially when fueled by a sense of righteousness, can lead to devastating results.
It makes you think, doesn't it? About the legacies we're building, the choices we're making, and the stories that will be told about us long after we’re gone.