Vayishlach: the army of Israel

Vayishlach: the army of Israel

 

Previously, the Hebrews made their wives appear available by calling them their sisters( Sarah, Rivkah).  Now, in the story of Dinah, one cannot even marry their actual sister! Previously Gd intervened and did not let the adulterer touch the forbidden woman.  Now, the rapist pays with his life - and the lives of all the men of his nation. This is the new nation of Israel.  This promised land is not acquired by blending into indigenous populace through marriage, not even through the conversion of the aborigines to our faith.  The acquisition is military ( albeit with the ambivalence of the patriarch).  Perhaps the reputation from this event translates into Pharaoh's question to Yoseph about hi brothers, and the fear of the people of Canaan on hearing that the Isaelites have left Egypt... and to the present day.

---------------------------

 

Note that the name Dinah has the root din, judgement; and the letters can be rearranged to spell nidah. 

 -------------------------------

 Aisov is, presumably, the government in Canaan.  He has married the daughters of the chiefs and united the peolpe around him ( thus he has a camp of 400 men). When he offers to go with Yaakov or send some of his men with Yaakov, he is offering him protection in the new land.