The Ox and the Donkey

The Tze’enah Ure’enah is a collection of ancient Jewish writings seemingly directed at women – the name itself is shorthand for Song of Songs 3:11: “Go forth and see, O ye daughters of Zion.”

It’s among the commentary on Genesis 34:6, and the connection it makes to “unequally yoked” is fascinating. It reminds me that the writings of Torah are not only meant to be understood linearly, but that the writings were put together with the beginning and the end in mind.

“Shechem’s father Hamor came out to Jacob to speak to him” [34:6]. The Midrash writes. Hamor said to Jacob: you grandfather Abraham was a prince, and I am a prince. Give your daughter to a prince. Jacob responded: my grandfather Abraham was called, ox, as the verse says, “Abraham ran to the herd” [Genesis, 18:7]. This is an ox. You are called Hamor, which means donkey, and the verse says, “you shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” [Deuteronomy, 22:10]. This means, you should not plow with an ox and a donkey together.

Tze’enah Ure’enah on Genesis 34:6

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