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Genesis 34:26 - Revenge for Dinah's honor?

Genesis 34:26 - בראשית 34:26

Hebrew Text

וְאֶת־חֲמוֹר וְאֶת־שְׁכֶם בְּנוֹ הָרְגוּ לְפִי־חָרֶב וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־דִּינָה מִבֵּית שְׁכֶם וַיֵּצֵאוּ׃

English Translation

And they slew Ḥamor and Shekhem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dina out of Shekhem’s house, and went out.

Transliteration

Ve'et-chamor ve'et-shechem beno hargu lefi-charev vayikchu et-dina mibeit shechem vayeitze'u.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶת־חֲמוֹר֙ וְאֶת־שְׁכֶ֣ם בְּנ֔וֹ הָרְג֖וּ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיִּקְח֧וּ אֶת־דִּינָ֛ה מִבֵּ֥ית שְׁכֶ֖ם וַיֵּצֵֽאוּ׃
וְאֶת־חֲמוֹר֙ וְאֶת־שְׁכֶ֣ם בְּנ֔וֹ הָרְג֖וּ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיִּקְח֧וּ אֶת־דִּינָ֛ה מִבֵּ֥ית שְׁכֶ֖ם וַיֵּצֵֽאוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 34:26) describes the aftermath of the incident involving Dina, the daughter of Yaakov, who was taken by Shekhem, the son of Ḥamor. After Shekhem's violation of Dina, her brothers Shimon and Levi took revenge by killing the men of Shekhem, including Ḥamor and Shekhem himself. The verse emphasizes the violent retribution and the rescue of Dina.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bereshit 34:26) explains that the phrase "לְפִי־חָרֶב" (with the edge of the sword) indicates that Shimon and Levi killed Ḥamor and Shekhem in a manner that demonstrated their zeal for justice. Rashi also notes that the brothers acted decisively to remove Dina from an impure environment, fulfilling their duty to protect their sister's honor.

Rambam's Perspective on Justice

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 9:14) discusses the concept of "din benei Noach" (Noahide laws), which include prohibitions against theft and sexual immorality. Shekhem's actions violated these universal laws, justifying the brothers' response. However, Rambam also implies that their method of exacting justice—killing all the men of the city—was excessive, as Yaakov later criticizes (Bereshit 49:5-7).

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (80:10) suggests that Shimon and Levi acted with divine approval, as they were defending the sanctity of their sister and the future of Klal Yisrael. The Midrash compares their zeal to that of Pinchas (Bamidbar 25:7-8), who acted for the sake of Heaven.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Vayishlach 8) adds that Shekhem's punishment was measure-for-measure: just as he took Dina by force, he was killed by the sword, a symbol of violent retribution.

Moral and Halachic Implications

The incident raises questions about the limits of vigilante justice. While the Torah does not explicitly condemn Shimon and Levi, Yaakov's later rebuke (Bereshit 49:5-7) suggests that their actions lacked proper consultation and proportionality. The Chizkuni (Bereshit 34:25) notes that their zeal, though understandable, was not in line with the ideal of "derech eretz" (proper conduct) expected of Bnei Yisrael.

Rescue of Dina

The verse concludes with the brothers taking Dina from Shekhem's house. Ibn Ezra (Bereshit 34:26) emphasizes that this act was necessary to remove her from a place of defilement. The Kli Yakar adds that the brothers' primary motive was her rescue, not just revenge, highlighting the importance of protecting family purity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 82a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the actions of Shimon and Levi in avenging the violation of their sister Dina, and the ethical implications of their actions.
📖 Bava Kamma 117b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the legal and moral consequences of taking the law into one's own hands, as exemplified by Shimon and Levi's actions against Shekhem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Shimon and Levi kill Shekhem and his father Hamor?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash, Shimon and Levi took revenge because Shekhem had kidnapped and violated their sister Dina. They acted to defend their family's honor and to prevent such behavior from being tolerated, as it would set a dangerous precedent (Genesis 34:13, Rashi).
Q: Was it justified for Shimon and Levi to kill all the men of Shekhem?
A: The Torah does not explicitly approve or condemn their actions, but later, Jacob criticizes them for their rashness (Genesis 34:30, 49:5-7). The Ramban explains that while their zeal was understandable, their method was excessive and brought danger upon the family.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the story of Dina and Shekhem?
A: The Midrash teaches that this incident highlights the importance of protecting one's family and community from moral corruption. However, it also warns against taking justice into one's own hands without proper deliberation (Bereshit Rabbah 80:10).
Q: Why did Jacob not take action himself when Dina was taken?
A: Rashi suggests that Jacob was hesitant to act aggressively, possibly out of fear of provoking the surrounding nations. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 80:6) also implies that Jacob’s passive response led to his sons taking matters into their own hands.
Q: How does this story relate to Jewish values today?
A: This episode teaches the balance between standing up for justice and avoiding excessive violence. Jewish law (based on Rambam, Hilchot Melachim) later establishes strict rules for warfare and retaliation, emphasizing proportionality and ethical conduct even in conflict.