Who Is Dinah?

Haggadah Section: Introduction

Rape culture isn’t new. One of the most prominent examples of a culture of permissiveness around sexual violence is in the Torah: the Rape of Dinah. Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, went out one day in search for the daughters of the land of Shechem. While she was walking, the prince of Shechem saw her, took and lay with her by force. He later asked his father to take the girl as his wife. When Jacob was told of his daughter being raped he kept silent until his son came in from the eld. When Jacob’s sons heard the news of what happened to their sister they were distressed and outraged.

The story goes on to explain that the king o ered a deal with Jacob and his sons. They ultimately came to the deal that in exchange for Dinah, Jacob’s people may take (or, in other words, non-consensually have sex with) the daughter’s of Shechem for themselves if all the men in Shechem become circumcised. Yet, on the third day of systematic rape, two of Dinah’s brothers killed every male in Shechem along with the king and his son. They took Dinah from Shechem’s home and left, they exclaimed “Should our sister be treated like a whore?”

The ancient story of Dinah is representative of rape culture today. Dinah was not given a voice, her pain as a rape survivor was muddled by the notion that she soiled her family’s name. Her father and brothers took control of her, and she had no autonomy. Her suffering, like the suffering of many victims and survivors of rape, is rarely shared. In an attempt at reclaiming Jewish ritual space for ourselves, a group of young, Jewish women, we have decided to give Dinah a voice and the most prominent seat at our Seder table. If you look to the head of the table, you will see there is an extra place setting. This is Dinah’s place setting.

Additionally, all of you have been given a piece of duct tape with a name at your place setting. The duct tape signifies the silencing that victims of rape and rape culture often face, for fear of not being taken seriously, for fear of being ostracized or shamed, and for fear of retaliation by perpetrators. Later on in this haggadah, we will be using this duct tape in a Jewish feminist ritual.

We hope that this ritual helps to give a voice to those a ected by rape. A voice that Dinah did not have the privilege to use, and a voice that was overlooked by the authors of her story.

-

Download the full haggadah here: https://jufwebfiles.org/pdf/teens/RTI-Haggadah-Final.pdf

Source:  
Revenge of Dinah: A Feminist Seder on Rape Culture in the Jewish Community
Edit Clip
Revenge of Dinah: A Feminist Seder on Rape Culture in the Jewish Community
JC
JUF Chicago / DePaul - Research Training Internship
Table of contents
    Introduction
  • Revenge of Dinah: Introduction
  • Revenge of Dinah: List of Seder Supplies
  • What is Rape Culture?
  • Rape Culture Collage
  • Rape Culture Is...
  • Why Study Rape Culture?
  • Toxic Masculinity
  • Take A Risk & Be An Accomplice
  • Joe Biden Quote
  • Who Is Dinah?
  • Modesty & Respect
  • Revenge of Dinah: Candle Lighting
  • Jewish Feminist & Feminist Jew
    • Kadesh
  • Feminism Isn't About Making Women Stronger
  • Revenge of Dinah: Kadesh
  • Dinah Illustration
    • Urchatz
  • Revenge of Dinah: Urchatz
    • Karpas
  • Revenge of Dinah: Karpas
    • Yachatz
  • Revenge of Dinah: Yachatz
    • -- Four Questions
  • Revenge of Dinah: The Four Questions
    • -- Four Children
  • Revenge of Dinah: Four Children
    • -- Exodus Story
  • Revenge of Dinah: Telling Our Stories
    • -- Ten Plagues
  • Ten Plagues of Rape Culture
  • "Madonna / Whore" Complex
  • The Male Gaze
    • -- Cup #2 & Dayenu
  • The Second Cup + Dinah's Voice
    • Rachtzah
  • Revenge of Dinah: Rachtzah
  • Toxic Masculinity Diagram
    • Motzi-Matzah
  • Revenge of Dinah: Motzi-Matzah
    • Maror
  • Bitter Chocolate Ritual
  • Revenge of Dinah: Maror & Charoset
    • Koreich
  • Revenge of Dinah: Koreich
    • Shulchan Oreich
  • Revenge of Dinah: Shulchan Oreich
    • Tzafun
  • Revenge of Dinah: Tzafun
    • Bareich
  • Revenge of Dinah: Barech & Third Cup
  • Revenge of Dinah: Elijah & Miriam's Cup + Fourth Cup
    • Nirtzah
  • Revenge of Dinah: Nirtzah
    • Conclusion
  • Revenge of Dinah: Conclusion
    • Commentary / Readings
  • Revenge of Dinah: Rape Culture Glossary
  • Acknowledgements & About Us
  • Inspired to create
    your own Haggadah?

    Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world

    Have an idea
    for a clip?

    People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip

    Support Us
    with your donation

    Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
    home-based Jewish rituals.

    OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS

    contributor image
    Esther Kustanowitz
    4 Haggadahs38 Clips
    contributor image
    JQ International
    1 Haggadah40 Clips
    contributor image
    MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
    5 Haggadahs109 Clips
    contributor image
    18Doors
    1 Haggadah13 Clips
    contributor image
    JewishBoston
    1 Haggadah78 Clips
    contributor image
    Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
    1 Haggadah36 Clips
    contributor image
    American Jewish World Service
    1 Haggadah44 Clips
    contributor image
    JewBelong
    3 Haggadahs57 Clips
    contributor image
    Repair the World
    12 Clips
    contributor image
    HIAS
    5 Haggadahs48 Clips
    contributor image
    Be'chol Lashon
    2 Haggadahs27 Clips
    contributor image
    PJ Library
    1 Haggadah17 Clips
    contributor image
    Jewish World Watch
    3 Haggadahs42 Clips
    contributor image
    Secular Synagogue
    10 Clips
    contributor image
    SVIVAH
    1 Haggadah9 Clips
    contributor image
    The Blue Dove Foundation
    12 Clips
    contributor image
    ReformJudaism.org
    24 Clips
    contributor image
    Jewish Emergent Network
    1 Haggadah22 Clips

    Passover Guide

    Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
    know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
    to all of your questions.

    Haggadot

    Haggadot.com by Recustom, is a free resource for all backgrounds and experiences. Consider making a donation to help support the continuation of this free platform.

    Copyright © 2024 Custom and Craft Jewish Rituals Inc, dba Recustom, dba Haggadot.com.
    All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN: 82-4765805.