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Genesis 34:1 - Dina's fateful curiosity

Genesis 34:1 - בראשית 34:1

Hebrew Text

וַתֵּצֵא דִינָה בַּת־לֵאָה אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לְיַעֲקֹב לִרְאוֹת בִּבְנוֹת הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

And Dina the daughter of Le᾽a, whom she bore to Ya῾aqov, went out to see the daughters of the land.

Transliteration

Vateitze Dina bat-Leah asher yaldah le-Ya'akov lir'ot bivnot ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֵּצֵ֤א דִינָה֙ בַּת־לֵאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָלְדָ֖ה לְיַעֲקֹ֑ב לִרְא֖וֹת בִּבְנ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
וַתֵּצֵ֤א דִינָה֙ בַּת־לֵאָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָלְדָ֖ה לְיַעֲקֹ֑ב לִרְא֖וֹת בִּבְנ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Departure of Dina

The verse states: "And Dina the daughter of Le᾽a, whom she bore to Ya῾aqov, went out to see the daughters of the land." (Bereishit 34:1). This seemingly simple act of Dina leaving her home carries deep significance in Jewish commentary.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereishit 34:1) explains that Dina's departure was unusual and inappropriate. He notes that the phrase "went out" implies she left the confines of her family's home unnecessarily, which made her vulnerable. Rashi cites the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 80:1) that contrasts Dina's behavior with that of her mother, Leah. Leah was known for her modesty (as seen in Bereishit 30:16, where she discreetly meets Yaakov in the field), whereas Dina's public outing was seen as immodest and led to her encounter with Shechem.

Ibn Ezra's Perspective

Ibn Ezra offers a different angle, suggesting that Dina's curiosity about the local women was natural, as she may have wanted to learn about their customs or form friendships. However, he acknowledges that her leaving without proper protection was unwise, given the moral dangers of the surrounding society.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 80:1) states that Leah named her daughter Dina (from the root din, meaning "judgment") because she had judged herself, saying, "If I bear a son, Rachel’s sister will still have more sons than I." This implies that Dina's fate was somehow connected to Leah's earlier thoughts.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma Vayishlach 7) suggests that Dina’s going out was a test from Hashem, as Yaakov had hidden her in a box to protect her from Esav, and thus she was "owed" an encounter with Shechem as a form of measure-for-measure.

Halachic and Ethical Lessons

The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 5:1-2) discusses the importance of modesty and proper conduct, particularly for women, based on the principle of "כל כבודה בת מלך פנימה" ("All the glory of a king’s daughter is within"; Tehillim 45:14). Dina’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unnecessary exposure to foreign influences.

Kli Yakar's Interpretation

The Kli Yakar (Bereishit 34:1) emphasizes that Dina’s action was a departure not just physically but spiritually—she sought to engage with the "daughters of the land," who represented corrupt values. He connects this to the later tragedy, showing how assimilationist tendencies can lead to disastrous consequences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 60a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of modesty and the consequences of Dinah's actions.
📖 Shabbat 150b
Mentioned in the context of discussing appropriate behavior and the dangers of going out unnecessarily.
📖 Sanhedrin 102a
Cited in a broader discussion about the narratives of the patriarchs and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Dina go out to see the daughters of the land?
A: Rashi explains that Dina went out because she was curious about the local women's customs and behavior. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 80:1) suggests that Leah raised Dina to be outgoing, but this incident teaches the importance of modesty (tzniut) and the potential dangers of venturing into foreign environments without proper caution.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Dina going out?
A: The verse highlights the importance of boundaries and modesty in Jewish tradition. Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 5:1-2) teaches that one should avoid unnecessary exposure to foreign influences that may lead to negative outcomes. Dina's story serves as a reminder to be mindful of our surroundings and associations.
Q: Why does the verse mention that Dina was the daughter of Leah?
A: Rashi notes that the Torah specifies Dina as Leah's daughter to connect her outgoing nature to Leah's character. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 80:1) states that Leah herself was 'outgoing' in her actions (like when she went out to meet Yaakov in Genesis 30:16), and this trait was passed down to Dina. This teaches how parental behavior can influence children.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish values today?
A: This verse underscores the Torah's emphasis on maintaining Jewish identity and values, especially in interactions with outside cultures. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 36b) discusses the importance of avoiding assimilation. Today, Orthodox Jews apply this by being mindful of cultural influences while engaging with the world in a way that preserves Torah values.