Jacob’s blessing to his sons Simeon and Levi—if it can even be called a blessing—sounds more like a deathbed reprimand. Still, the Sages were quick to point out that Jacob wasn't cursing his sons themselves, only their anger.
Which raises the question: what does it mean to “curse anger”?
Two Types of Angry People
When the rich and powerful lose their temper, watch out. Sitting comfortably atop their wealth and influence, they rage freely—over cold coffee, a late meeting, or no reason at all. They’re like volcanoes, erupting at the slightest provocation.
Now, contrast that with the man of modest means. He may have a temper, but he swallows it. He has to. He can’t afford to burn bridges. He depends on the goodwill of others—and goodwill vanishes quickly when you make a habit of shouting. His anger is still there, but circumstances force him to rein it in. This is what we might call cursed anger—the kind that lingers but lacks the luxury of being unleashed.
Simeon and Levi's "Blessing"
So what was Jacob really saying to Simeon and Levi? He wasn’t cursing them. He was warning them—about their anger, their impulse to lash out, their inability to let go of a grudge. They saw injustice and responded with fury. But fury, unchecked, can consume even the righteous.
And so, Jacob gave them, not a punishment, but a path to growth: "I will disperse them in Jacob, scatter them in Israel." At first glance, it sounds like exile. But the Midrash sees something deeper. They would become teachers, scribes, tutors—always moving, always reliant on the kindness of others.
It was, in the end, the perfect antidote. Anger thrives on power. But a life of humility, of service, of teaching—this would teach them restraint. You cannot rage when every outburst means losing your job. You cannot be reckless when your survival depends on wisdom, not force.
Jacob saw their weakness, but he also saw their potential. And in his final words, he gave them not just a rebuke, but a way forward.
(Adapted from Mishlei Yaakov, pp. 105-106)
