Dinah

Hello my dear readers.

In the month of Kislev, we read Parashat Vayishlach in the Book of Genesis, chapter 34

It tells of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah.

the rape of Dinah by Sebastiano Ricci-fine art America

Dinah

In Genesis 34, Dinah—the only daughter of Jacob and Leah—leaves her family’s camp to meet the women of Shechem. There, she becomes the victim of violence at the hands of Shechem, the town’s prince. The biblical account details not only her trauma but also the intense, violent response by her brothers, Simeon and Levi, who devastate the town in her name​

Dinah’s story has become a powerful symbol for conversations across generations. It invites us to consider the silencing of victims, the desire for justice, and the complexities of communal responsibility. Over time, many commentators have analyzed the text—some reading in Dinah a warning regarding women who “go out”; others see her as embodying agency and

 curiosity, exploring a new land and its people.

Especially in recent years, Dinah’s story has found new life against modern backdrops: she is reimagined in poetry and scholarship as a voice for survivors, a reminder to listen to those whose pain often goes unheard. The Hebrew root of her name—דִּין (justice/judgment)—echoes a timeless call, urging us to create spaces for healing, empathy, and communal support. Her story is more than ancient tragedy; it remains a challenging invitation to rethink how we respond, as individuals and as communities, to injustice and to those who have suffered​

Let us honor Dinah by raising up voices once silenced, by seeking justice grounded in compassion—and by remembering the lessons of her journey, so relevant to our world today.

The Four Mothers of the 12 Tribes of Israel

Biblical Art Created by Iris Wexler Israel    Size 160/105 cm 

The painting The Four Mothers of the 12 Tribes of Israel depicts, among other things, little Dinah surrounded by her mother's love

In Jacob’s household, not everyone receives the same treatment.Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah, and Joseph more than his other sons.These preferences create tension, jealousy, and emotional divides within the tent — shaping the destiny of generations to come

Written in ancient Hebrew script symbolizing the biblical period, delicately highlighting Zilpah and Bilhah engaged in their craft while Leah and Rachel wear gold jewelry and play with their children.

The painting emphasizes the symbols of the tribes of Israel

Thank you for you time  

   Iris Wexler