Tragic Story of Dina

The incident in Chapter thirty four of Bereishit, involving the rape and violation of Dina, is most troubling.Shechem son of Chamor was the perpetrator of this crime.

Dina’s brothers were crestfallen when they heard this horrible news. The Torah describes this as a נבלה, an abomination was done in Israel, and this must never happen.

Two of Dina’s brothers, Shimon and Levi were unable to control their rage. Together they wiped out all of the male residents of that city.

Yakov was concerned that their act would cause him to be hated by the inhabitants of the land. He was afraid that it might lead to an attack against his family. Shimon and Levi replied, “Shall we allow our sister to be treated as a harlot.”

It is important to note that nowhere do we find a condemnation for all of the deaths that they caused. On the contrary, reasons were given for the people of Shechem deserving to be killed.

Furthermore, Shimon and Levi were considered righteous men, just like the other ten brothers. Yakov only cursed their anger that was too strong and out of control. The act itself was not condemned.

This tragic story of Dina still lives right before our eyes. The tragedies of October seventh are beyond our comprehension. But of all of those horrible atrocities, it was the violation of our Jewish women, that has been particularly painful. Dina’s brothers said that such an abomination must not happen in Israel.

This abomination has been one of the motivations of our brave and holy army. With Hashem’s help, we will see that such violations never again happen.

Shimon and Levi’s actions were correct. Despite Yakov’s concerns of a revenge attack, the Torah says as follows.” They traveled and a fear inspired by the Al-mighty was over the cities that were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Yakov.” When we stand fearless against our enemies, we win their respect and they will not harm us. It was proven by Shimon and Levi, and it is being proven again today.