VaYishlach

A New Midrash


Adapted from Rabbi Lori Klein



Ya'akov finished instructing his sons, offering each a word of rebuke and a word of blessing. Slowly, they filed out of the tent.



A woman pushed past the young great grandson guarding the entrance and entered the tent. She was Ya'akov's daughter Dinah, estranged from the family for many years. Dinah's eyes held both peace and suffering. "I have come to be with you," she said. "May I sit?" Yaakov nodded. He wept. Dinah took his hand.



Yaakov spoke, but not a he had spoken to his sons. "Daughter, please witness my viddui, my confession. My God and God of my ancestors, I have many regrets. Holy One, You know what all of them are, but Dinah must hear some of them from my lips. Dinah, I thought I was protecting you from Shechem, but I did not see you really needed protection from me, and from your brothers. The blame is not entirely with Simeon and Levi. As I tried to avoid my shame and suffering I magnified yours. In my pride, in my need to control my own fate I tried to control your life. My daughter and my God, forgive me my mistakes."



Dinah said, "I had learned to live happily without your apology, but hearing your words releases me completely. I forgive you." Tears fell from her eyes as she continued to hold her father's hand.



Ya'akov lay back. He was no longer disappointed in what life had brought him. He released his breath, ready to be gathered into his people.

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