Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach - 5778

Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach - 5778 Rabbi Hal Miller And Yaakov's sons answered Shechem and his father Chamor with deception. [Bereishis 34:13] When Chamor and Shechem put forward their case to get Shechem out of a difficult spot, they presented a peace proposal to Yaakov personally. Yaakov did

not reply--his sons did, all eleven (Benjamin was not born until later in this week's

parsha) together. Commentators delve into what the sons said and the actions of

two (Shimon and Levi) later in the story. They justify the "deceit" and explain the

reasons for the destruction of the residents of this Canaanite village. But why did

the sons reply rather than Yaakov?

Perhaps Yaakov chose not to respond, perhaps the sons jumped in ahead of him,

or perhaps the father and sons were in agreement both on the subject and on the

idea that the sons would do the speaking. Although the Torah had not yet been given at Sinai, the patriarchs kept most of the

mitzvos. Kibud av, honoring one's father, was the rule in those generations, unlike

modern society. It would be inconceivable that all eleven sons would fail to honor

their illustrious father by speaking out in his presence, unless he was somehow party

to what they were doing. Certainly those of high standing would still hold to such a

rule--Aaron's sons lost their lives in part over such a breach. Ramban describes it as trying to prevent Yaakov having to stoop low, "since this incident was a matter of

disgrace for them, they did not want Yaakov to have to open his mouth to speak

about it at all." In Mishlei [11:12], Solomon tells us, "He who shames his friend lacks a heart, but a

man of understanding will be silent." Rabbeinu Yonah says, "A discerning person

does not respond to one who belittles him, for to do so would put him on par with

that person." In other words, Shechem did an injustice to Yaakov, but Yaakov

refused to "lower" himself. Ramban thinks that the sons would only have answered with their father's approval

since he was there and available. It is incredible that Yaakov would have considered

marrying his daughter to the Canaanite who had defiled her, thus was certainly "in"

on the "deceit". Why would a man like Yaakov participate in deceit? Shem MiShmuel

refers us to the pasuk [34:13] "because he desired the daughter of Yaakov", that

Shechem's purpose wasn't "simply to satisfy his physical desires, but BECAUSE she

was Yaakov's daughter". Shechem used Dinah in a deceitful fashion, to usurp

Yaakov's unique status with Hashem. Rashi says, "It states that it [Yaakov and

family's action] was not deceit for 'he had defiled their sister Dinah'", thus it was permissible to use any means necessary to bring about the death of Shechem. Remember, at this point Shechem still held Dinah captive. Some say that Yaakov and his sons agreed to use whatever means

necessary to rescue Dinah, beginning with the proposal of circumcision of the

Canaanites. The intent was to rescue her while they were weakened. Only the

two sons had any intention to go beyond that, and were thus outside of the agreement. Thus Yaakov chose not to respond, the sons did not "jump in front" of their father

disrespectfully, and there was a plan in place. The question remains why the sons

spoke at all. If it was disgraceful for Yaakov to speak, would it not also have been so for the sons?

If a plan required someone to speak, why not Yaakov? Why not only one son?

Wouldn't the fact that all eleven spoke up together in front of their father have given

away to Chamor and Shechem that something was amiss? One son alone might be seen as merely a child speaking for himself, and not to be

taken seriously. All the sons together actually did honor to their father by helping

him avoid lowering himself to Shechem's level. But, it should still have been obvious

that the family had something in mind other than what the words meant, or this would not have played out in such a way. It seems that the Canaanite society had fallen into such a low state that they were

unable to recognize this breach of family etiquette. When people fail to see the bridge

out ahead and insist on keeping the train speeding, they bring the wreck upon themselves.

The Canaanites proved themselves unworthy of respect, incapable of carrying out the

peace deal they had just offered. It behooves us, in our Galus, to see the social deprivation

around us, and remember who we are as a Nation. Honor your parents.