When their sister Dina was kidnapped by Shechem, Shimon and Levi dealt slyly with the people of that city. They told them that if they were to circumcise themselves like the family of Yaakov, they could be one with them.
When the men were recovering from the circumcision, Shimon and Levi attacked. The verse tells us, “They came upon the city confidently and killed every male.” (34:25) But why were they so sure they would succeed?
R’ Yehonason Eibschutz (Noted Rabbi and Kabbalist, 1690-1764) offers a frightening but insightful explanation.
Had Shimon and Levi killed a city of gentiles, the surrounding people would be up in arms. They would come to their defense and attack Yaakov’s family in retaliation.
However, once they were circumcised, the rest of the world simply looked at the people of Shechem as “more Jews,” and people look aside when Jews get killed. This sad truth was the source of Shimon and Levi’s confidence.
