Rabbi Gordon - Vayigash: 5th Portion
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When Binyamin was born , he had 2 sisters that were born at the same time .
Why is there no mentioning of them, only at their birth ?
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Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I enjoy your Chumash classes very much. This week (Vayechi) marks one year of listening for me! Reply
Canaanis
You ask an excellent question, my friend. The Lubavitcher Rebbe actually discusses this issue and presents it in a very interesting way.
The Rebbe poses two questions: 1) How was Shimon permitted to marry his (full) sister? Even Noahide law prohibits that. 2) Why is Dina referred to as a Cnaanis? The answer: According to Halacha, when one becomes a "slave" he (or she) loses his own identity. He is no longer a free man. When Dina was taken by Shchem, she became a slave. She lost her own identity. When Shimon (and Levi) rescued her, she refused to leave, stating that no one would ever marry her. She "refused" to give up her slave status and opted to remain in Shchem. The only way Shimon could convince her is by promising to marry her. That is why the verse refers to her as a Cnaanis, to explain how Shimon was able to marry his sister. (Biuri HaChumash (Heb) Vol. II page 302-303. Also Likutei Sichis Vol 5 pg 229)
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Canaaness Rabbi, I don't understand how the Torah can refer to Dina as the Canaaness. Is it not lashon hora to name Dina after this embarrassing tragedy that befell her? Reply
I may be getting confused on the pronunciation, but were Judah's sons through Tamar included in the count of the 70?