CHOCHMAS NASHIM: VAYISHLACH:SALTED CARAMEL
By: Suri Davis
In last week’s Torah portion, we discussed how even when G-d punished Rachel for selling her night with Jacob for Ruben’s dudaim, and for stealing her father’s idol, Rachel’s being buried on the way to Bethlehem turned out for the best, in that she prayed for the Jews as they went into her exile, and in her merit, the Jews were returned to the land to build the second temple.
In this week’s Torah portion/Parshah, we see Jacob’s concern that his only daughter, Dina, be violated by Esau when the two families met. The Torah sets forth that Jacob and his 11 children crossed the water to meet Esau. The medrash questions, why 11 and not 12? The answer is that Dina was hidden away from Esau in a chest so that he could not see her and take her for himself.
Later in this week’s Parshah, we read about Dina’s being violated at the hands of Shchem, a prince. Rashi tells us that Jacob was punished for hiding Dina from Esau, in that Dina was an exceptional woman who had the real potential to turn Esau around and bring him closer to G-d without herself being influenced by his wickedness.
Because Jacob hid Dina from Esau and prevented Dina from bringing Esau closer, she was violated by Schem and the men of Schem were circumcised in an attempt to become Jewish and their wives and daughters, ostensibly, were taken by Jacob’s family for wives, and they became monotheists. In this way, Dina was able to actualize the potential G-d gave her to “go out” of her home and influence others and bring them closer to G-d. It was Jacob’s punishment, it was Dina’s actualizing her potential. The dichotomy of life.
As I take my daily walk in autumn, we know the leaves are dying, look what HKBH does by setting them afire, in the most stunning G-d like majestic colors. They are their most beautiful before they die and fall down to be trampled underfoot. Why couldn’t Dina find redemption in a finer way than rape? Why did Rachel have to die early, punishment for stealing her father’s idol, and be buried in what is still a deserted town, so she could beg G-d for mercy for her children?
The dichotomy is G-d revealing Himself in every situation. Even as He punishes, He permits redemption. This ability to do teshuvah was created when Adam and Eve sinned. We think about it most before Yom Kippur, but is within us daily, even as the first words we utter of thanks to G-d for returning to us our souls every morning, and we say “Rabbah Emunasechah/how great is Your, G-d’s, faith in us, that He believes we can continue to perfect our soul even as we sin daily. G-d sees our potential, and gives us what we need to rise higher, test ourselves in our dedication to G-d and faith that all is for the best. Emunah goreret Emunah.
Shabbat shalom.
-Suri