Jewish Commentaries Concerning Simeon
Contents:
1. Brit-Am Identifies Simeon
2. Simeon and the Mixed Multitude ("Erev Rav").
3. Simeon was Penalized
4. Simeon was liable to get angry and needed Remedial Therapy
5. Most of the Casualties at Baal Peor were from Simeon!
6. Simeon has Negative traits but Great Positive Potential
7. Gentile Women and Conversion
8. Simeon had a Puritanical Streak
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1. Brit-Am Identifies Simeon
The Tribe of Simeon was counted amongst the Lost Ten Tribes even though the other Tribes were to the north of Judah whereas Simeon was in the southern region. Simeon is spoken of as having shared the fate of the Lost Ten Tribes who were exiled and is counted amongst them (2-Chronicles 34:6). Nevertheless, according to tradition a good number from the Tribe of Simeon stayed with Judah. Not only that but many of the Khazars were from the Tribe of Simeon. They converted to Judaism and thus re-attached themselves to Judah.
cf.
Judges 19:
1 AND THE SECOND LOT CAME FORTH TO SIMEON, FOR THE TRIBE OF THE CHILDREN OF SIMEON ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILIES: AND THEIR INHERITANCE WAS WITHIN THE INHERITANCE OF THE CHILDREN OF JUDAH.
The ruling class of the Khazars however was not from Simeon but rather Princes from the Tribe of Manasseh whereas the Reigning King was an offshoot from the House of David. There was a connection between Simeon and Manasseh that may be repeated in the USA today.
We found elements from Simeon in Ancient Britian as the Semoni and Iceni (from Yacin of Simeon) in southeast England, the Sylires of Wales, groups in Brittany (France), Ireland, and among the Anglo-Saxons.
In Rabbinical tradition descendants of Simeon were prominent amongst schoolteachers, scribes, and indigents. Descendants of Simeon were considered to be quick-tempered, strict of nature, vengeful, and to a degree prone to violence. The Blessing of Jacob was that Simeon and Levi would be scattered.
Genesis 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
Alternative Translation from the Hebrew:
# Tools of Violence are their Natural Element or Livelihood. #
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2. Simeon and the Mixed Multitude ("Erev Rav").
When the Children of Egypt came out of Egypt we are told that a "Mixed Multitude" attached themselves to them.
Exodus (NKJV) 12:
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds, a great deal of livestock.
The words for "Mixed Multitude" in Hebrew are "Erev Rav." In Rabbinical Commentaries these are often depicted to have been insincere concerts who joined the Israelites for ulterior motives. They are described as trouble-makers.
Zohar (Pinchas): 469 Women from Simeon married men from the Erev Rav after they had converted. These died in the Golden Calf incident and in the plague following the worshipping of Baal Peor and the Midianite women (Numbers 25:8-9).
Rabbi Menachem Azariah of Pano, the Rama (1548-1620): Most of the Erev Rav mixed with Simeon (Chikur Din, 3;22).
Rabbi Tsadok: Most Erev Rav mixed with Simeon (Part 3; Dover Tsedek, p. 80).
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3. Simeon was Penalized
Nathan Shimeon Ben Chaim, "Hegion Levav, Bar Chaim"
Midrash Yalkut Shimeoni (Judges 42): All the tribes produced one of the Judges except for Simeon.
Simeon was penalized due to the promiscuity of Zimri (Numbers 25).
On the other hand Simeon and Levi had fought against sexual immorality in the matters of Dinah (Genesis 34:31).
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4. Simeon was liable to get angry and needed Remedial Therapy
Yehudah Atiach, "Evnei Chen."
Genesis (NKJV) 49:
Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
6 Let not my soul enter their council;
Let not my honor be united to their assembly;
For in their anger they slew a man,
And in their self-will they [b]hamstrung an ox.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel!
I will divide them in Jacob
And scatter them in Israel.
Rashi: I will divide them in Jacob. Concerning Simeon. One does not find beggars, nor teachers of young children, nor Scribes, who are not from Simeon.
This was in order that they be scattered [throughout all Israel].
And scatter them in Israel. This considered Levi [who received tithes from AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE] who would search out grain collection areas.
Simeon had an attribute of anger.
Usually rich people are the ones who can allow themselves to speak with anger.
Provers (NKJV) 18:
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers roughly.
Simeon was a Tribe amongst whom were many poor people and beggars who needed the help of others in order to teach them humility and tolerance.
The work of a Scribe also requires calmness, and self-control.
The teachers of small children also need to be fore-bearing, patient, and steadfast.
So too, Levi in collection his tithes needed to be humble and placatory.
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5. Most of the Casualties at Baal Peor were from Simeon!
Halperin (Encyclopedia):
Simeon like Levi when they were in Egypt maintained knowledge of their genealogies and did not worship idolatry (Midrash BaMidbar Rasbah 13:8).
In the first census of Israelites in the 2nd year after they they came out of Egypt the numbers of Simeonites was
59,300 (Numbers 1:23).
In the second census the number was 22,200 (Numbers 26:14).
The Prince of Simeon at the time they camped around the Tabernacle was Shlumiel ben Tsurishadi (Numbers 2:10-15).
When the Israelites committed idolatry at Baal Peor it was Zimri ben Selu a Prince of Simeon who coupled with the Midianite princess when they were both killed by Pinchas (Numbers 25)..
In the accompanying plague 24,000 Israelites died. Most of the casualties were from Simeon which accounts for the disparity in their census numbers.
Simeon was attached to Judah and accompanied Judah in conquering the Land (Joshua 19:1). They fought against the Canaani and the Perizzi (Judges 1:1-4).
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6. Simeon has Negative traits but Great Positive Potential
Kotleynu 13.
Simeon was born under the aspect of hatred and resentment.
Genesis 29:
33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, 'Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.' And she called his name Simeon.
The name Simeon means "Sma [Hear] on [my being mistreated].
Simeon and Levi wiped out the city of Schechem.
Genesis 34:
25 Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.
They were the ones who complained against Joseph and incited to kill him.
That was why Joseph had Simeon imprisoned and restrained when the brothers went down to Egypt.
Genesis 42:
24 And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
When the Israelites were nearing the Land of Canaan they sent spies to bring a report about it (Numbers chs. 13 and 14). Ten out of the 12 spies gave a negative report. The Israelites were afraid to keep going. God was angry and they were punished.
There is a tradition (Maharsha) that the spy from Simeon was the main instigator against entering the Promised Land.
Simeon actually had a very deep soul and great spiritual powers that are not always apparent to others.
Simeon takes much of his strength and vitality from Judah.
In the Messianic Ages the hidden potential of Simeon will become more apparent.
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7. Gentile Women and Conversion
Tsadokt Rabinowitz, "Takanat HaShavim"
Samson and Solomon from the Tribes of Dan and Yehudah took Gentile women.
They had good (but misled) intentions. They wished to produce converts to Judaism and bring the Gentiles closer to the truth.
Moses and Yitro believed in the acceptability of future converts. These cause controversy but in the end are absorbed within Israel.
A Jew does not become attracted to a Gentile woman unless she has some kind of pertinence to Israel.
Nevertheless belonging to the Jewish People is determined by having a Jewish mother or converting.
The sin of Zimri and the others with the women of Midian may have been well-intended but it ended badly/
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8. Simeon had a Puritanical Streak
Yischak Mair Yavats, "Nachalat Zeev."
The Tribe of Simeon had an attribute of fierce opposition to sexual promiscuity.
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See Also: Simeon by Fishel Mael