Where was Dina? The Pasuk lists eleven children crossing the river with Yaakov—but he had twelve. Why does Rashi say Yaakov was punished for hiding his young daughter from Esav? What kind of father wouldn't protect his child from a well-known rasha?

Rashi reveals something uncomfortable: Dina had an extraordinary ability to transform people. Rabbi Klapper points to what happens later in the Parsha—after Shechem commits a terrible act, he turns around completely. The Torah uses such profound language of love that Chazal say we can learn how Hashem loves Klal Yisrael from Shechem's words about Dina. This wasn't charm. This was a spiritual power to see someone's hidden potential and draw it out. And Yaakov, by hiding her, denied even the possibility that Esav could change.

Discover the koyach that women carry—to recognize strengths in others that they can't see in themselves. Learn why believing in someone's potential isn't naivety; it's how transformation actually happens.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Why Did Rashi Say That series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our weekly Torah insights!