The words of Jacob, "I will divide them in Jacob," spoken
of Simon and Levi, were fulfilled on Simon in particular.
When twenty-four thousand of Simon fell at Shittim, the
widows they left behind married husbands of all the other
tribes. Nevertheless Jacob did not dismiss Simon and Levi
without blessing them; the tribe of Simon was to bring forth
the teachers and the beadles needed by all Israel, and Levi,
the scholars that would expound the Torah and render decisions
according to its teachings.[387]

When the remaining sons of Jacob heard the rebukes
dealt out by their father to these three, they feared to hear
like reproaches, and they tried to slip away from his presence.
Especially Judah was alarmed, that his father might
taunt him with his trespass touching Tamar. But Jacob

 
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