Note the alignment of the underlined
words in the following verses
- Jacob, in verse
Gn34-16
discussing
a possible alliance between Jacob and Schem
states
- Then will we give our daughters to you,
- and we will take your daughters for us, ...
- Schem in verse
Gn34-21
continuing the discussion of the alliance states
These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them live in the land,
and trade in it; for the land, behold, is large enough for them;
- let us take their daughters to us for wives,
- and let us give them our daughters.
Rashi, commenting on the underlined verbs, ironically observes
Each side -- Jacob and Schem -- both used the word give
with their own daughters but used the word take with the daughter's
of the other side. In other words despite their ideological differences
each side thought their daughters special.
Sermonic points:
Rashi's point echoes the concerns of the modern concept of democracy:
For negotiations between two sides to succeed the two sides must
treat each other equally despite large ideological differences.