Female LessonParashat HashavuaSeries'LibraryPiskei Din (Hebrew)Test YourselfBoth Maimonides and Nachmanides agree that the people of Shechem were culpable. Rambam says one of the 7 Noachide laws is setting up a justice system to uphold law & order. Since the town did not bring Shechem to account for kidnapping Dina, all were liable for the death penalty (thus the pasuk referring to Shimon & Levi – BR. 49:6 – says "Hargu Ish," they killed a man; to a man, all were guilty). Ramban says, as idolators, they were subject to capital punishment. But if so, why did Yakov later criticize these sons, saying they resorted to a "craft of murder" more suitable to Esav? Commentators explain that Yakov was not angry so much at what they did, but rather how they did it. They should have acted outright, without subterfuge, either out of faith in their just cause to redeem Dina, or so as not to stigmatize Yakov as a deceiver. Note that Shimon & Levi were 13 years old at this time, & it is from this incident that the Midrash learns that a boy is obligated in Mitzvot at age 13! When asked why we should learn about Bar Mitzva from such a negative source, the Lubavitcher Rebbe commented: "This is not negative at all - quite the opposite! Shimon and Levi showed courage, heroism and devotion to their people by rescuing their sister! Would that ALL boys would be so admirable!
Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.
Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.
"FREEDOM CAME WITH A FLAG”- The First Flag of Israel
The Ramban explains that the exodus from Egypt was led by the first flag of Israel. This short article brings many unknown historic and halachic proofs of the importance of the Israeli flag.
Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.