Rav Yochanan rules that Bris mila was not enough to convert, ie also needed to tovel in the Mikva. However, in the story of Deena, the brothers told Shchem that they needed to do Bris mila only, they did not say that Mikvah was also needed.? Please reconcile this seeming contradiction. Thank you
Yitzchak Meystelman , Phoenix AZ
Dear R' Yitzchak,
Very nice question! I came across these interpretations:
1. The reason the brothers requested the townspeople to circumcise was either: (a) in order to weaken them which made killing them on the third day easier (see Abarbanel and Malbim); or (b) in order that the the townspeople should be dissuaded from going through with it, and instead choose to just release Dinah (see Seforno and Chizkuni).
2. The brothers killed the townspeople only because, after the circumcision, the townspeople regretted (see commentaries on the phrase "Ko'avim" in verse 25) having gone through with the Mitzvah of Milah (see Da'as Zekeinim and Rosh).
According to #1, the brothers never planned to convert the townspeople, so there was no need to mention Tevilah. And even according to #2, where the brothers seemingly did intend to convert the townspeople, it could be argued that the brothers did not mention Tevilah but rather only Milah because either (a) Milah is the first step, and they would have told about Tevilah later, or (b) only Milah is a difficult procedure to demand from someone, unlike Tevilah which is easy.
May you continue to attain greatness in Torah learning and Yiras Shamayim!
Best wishes,
Yishai Rasowsky
Warmest regards from R. Yisrael Shaw!