Vayishlach 5781

 Question: Despite the efforts of חמור and שכם, Yaakov plays no part in the negotiations surrounding the joining of the two families. Why not?


Approach: It seems that יעקב is in two minds about how to deal with the situation, and would like time to consider his options about how to handle things. His children though come up with a plan much quicker, and it appears that יעקב is unsure about the ultimate plan, certainly by שמעון & לוי. We see the ambivalence at the end of the story, whereby יעקב is unsure about the effects of their actions, without admonishing them directly. And even on his deathbed, the criticism relates to the characteristics of anger and zealousness, rather than the actual incident with שכם.

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