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Targum Yonatan says that Yaakov wanted to check on his sons because Shechem was a dangerous area for them. Shimon and Levi had wiped out the city, which was responsible for their sister’s defilement, and Yaakov feared the neighbors’ revenge (see Bereishit 34). Rav Nachshoni (p. 149) suggests, then, that the seeds of the exile to Egypt began with the killing of the people of Shechem, which caused Yaakov to send Yosef in harm’s way
Based on the background of the connection between the previous events in Shechem and Yosef’s journey, we can point out the following irony. Shimon and Levi, who were Yosef’s main antagonists (see Rashi to Bereishit 49:5), had explained their dangerous and rash behavior at Shechem with the stinging words (34:31): "Will he make our sister as a harlot?" Fraternal loyalty overcame all other factors. Yet, during their visit to the area of Shechem, they decided to commit the great betrayal of their brother. Granted, they had serious concerns about Yosef’s danger to them. But hadn’t they told Yaakov that one takes risks to protect a sibling?
One can explain Yosef’s conversations in this light. Yaakov, in effect, told Yosef: "I know the brothers dislike you, but they are in Shechem, so don’t worry" (see 37:13). In other words, they have proven their loyalty to brotherhood. Yet, the man (or angel- see Rashi to 37:15) who saw Yosef wandering told him that the brothers had left Shechem. In other words, they are no longer showing the brotherhood they demonstrated in Shechem. (See Rashi to ibid.:16, who puts the idea of forsaken brotherhood in the angel’s mouth, without explicitly connecting it to leaving Shechem.)
We can now further appreciate Yaakov’s rebuke of Shimon and Levi before his death. He complained about two things: 1) They killed the people of Shechem; 2) They wanted to kill Yosef (Bereishit 49:6). One can say that the fact that they displayed uncontrolled emotion in both events is the extent of the connection. However, one can suggest that Yaakov was really focusing on their treatment of Yosef, pointing out their hypocrisy by connecting the two events. "You justified your treatment of Shechem with your loyalty to a sibling, so how could you forget that loyalty and plot to uproot Yosef?"
Indeed, the brothers do at the end redeem themselves and "return to Shechem." When Binyamin became caught in Yosef’s web, the brothers were once again ready to put their lives on the line to save a brother. Yet, it was Yosef who showed true brotherhood, not by taking on a whole city, but by restraining the human instinct to take revenge. As Shlomo said: "Better is ... one who controls his emotions than one who conquers a city" (Mishlei 16:32). Indeed, it is Yosef who is buried in Shechem.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
