Parashat Vzot Habracha
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==Blessing of Moshe== | ==Blessing of Moshe== | ||
− | + | Moshe the Man of Hashem blessed the Jewish Nation before his passing. This was done very close to his the time of his passing, for if not then then when.<ref>Rashi Devarim 33:1</ref> He started by first praising Hashem and then he addressed the needs of the Jews.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2">Rashi Devarim 33:2</ref> In the praise itself he mentioned the merit of the Jews, thereby appeasing Hashem that the Jews were worthy of having blessing rest upon them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> | |
− | Moshe the Man of Hashem | + | |
===Giving of the Torah=== | ===Giving of the Torah=== | ||
− | Moshe went on to say how Hashem came | + | Moshe went on to say how Hashem came towrds them when they came to stand at the foot of Mount<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> Sinai, like a bridegroom goes to meet the bride.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> This was after Hashem shone forth from Seir where He first offered the descendants of Esav to accept the Torah and they rejected it.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> He appeared from Mount Paran, where He also offered the descendants of Yishmoel to accept the Torah and they rejected it.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/>. He then finally came to the Jewish Nation<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> with some<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> groups of his holy angels. Unlike a human who shows off all his power and wealth on the the day of his wedding, Hashem did not bring all His angels or even most of them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> Hashem then gave them from amidst the fire,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> the Luchos<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> written by<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> His right hand. This was the fiery Law as it was previously written before Him in letters of black fire upon a background of white fire.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:2"/> |
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===Praise of the Jews=== | ===Praise of the Jews=== | ||
Moshe recalls how Hashem showed love for people by displayed great affection to the tribes, considering each one of them as its own Nation.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3">Rashi Devarim 33:3</ref> This was seen when Hashem blessed Yackov saying "A nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you" and Binyamin was the only Tribe born following the blessing.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/>. | Moshe recalls how Hashem showed love for people by displayed great affection to the tribes, considering each one of them as its own Nation.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3">Rashi Devarim 33:3</ref> This was seen when Hashem blessed Yackov saying "A nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you" and Binyamin was the only Tribe born following the blessing.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/>. | ||
− | Additionally all the souls<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> of His holy righteous<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> ones are in His hand, concealed with Him | + | Additionally all the souls<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> of His holy righteous<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> ones are in His hand, concealed with Him.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> Additional all the righteous and good people clung to Hashem and did not turn away from Him, therefore He guards them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> The Jews are worthy of having their souls concealed with Hashem because they allowed themselves to be placed right in the middle of the bottom of Mount Sinai between Hashem's 'feet',<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> and also they placed themselves right in the middle and beneath Hashem's protective shadow.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> There they bore upon themselves the yoke of the Torah<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> which was the utterances of Hashem and also gladly accepted Hashem's decrees and laws.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> Additionally they would travel only based on the commands of Hashem<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/><ref>Unkeles Devarim 33:3</ref>. Hashem's love for the Jews is at all times even when He displayed affection towards the nations of the world, showing them a smiling face, and delivered the Jews into their hands.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/> |
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− | Hashem's love for the Jews is at all times even when He displayed affection towards the nations of the world, showing them a smiling face, and delivered the Jews into their hands.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:3"/ | + | |
− | The Torah that | + | The Torah that Moshe commanded us is a legacy for the congregation of Yackov as they have taken hold of it and will not forsake it.<ref>Rashi Devarim 33:4</ref> |
==Blessings of the Tribes== | ==Blessings of the Tribes== | ||
− | Hashem<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5">Rashi Devarim 33:5</ref> was King in Yeshurun, meaning the yoke of His Kingship was always upon them,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> whenever they gathered in numbers.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> They are therefore worthy that He should bless them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> However Hashem is only their King when they gather in a unified group, and there is peace among them and they are gathered together, but not when there is fighting among them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/ | + | Hashem<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5">Rashi Devarim 33:5</ref> was King in Yeshurun, meaning the yoke of His Kingship was always upon them,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> whenever they gathered in numbers.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> They are therefore worthy that He should bless them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> However Hashem is only their King when they gather in a unified group, and there is peace among them and they are gathered together, but not when there is fighting among them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:5"/> |
===Blessing of Reuvain=== | ===Blessing of Reuvain=== | ||
− | May Reuvain live in This World<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:6">Rashi Devarim 33:6</ref> and not die in the Next World, as the incident involving Bilah will be forgotten.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:6"/> and may his people be counted in the number amongst the other Tribes, despite the incident of Bilah | + | May Reuvain live in This World<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:6">Rashi Devarim 33:6</ref> and not die in the Next World, as the incident involving Bilah will be forgotten.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:6"/> and may his people be counted in the number amongst the other Tribes, despite the incident of Bilah.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:6"/> |
===Blessing of Yehuda=== | ===Blessing of Yehuda=== | ||
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Additionally during the entire 40 year journey in the desert, the bones of Yehuda were rolling in his coffin, because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself when he took responsibility for Benjamin saying that if he would not bring him back to Yackov he will be a sinner to him for all of the days.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> By Moshe placing Yehuda near Reuvain he alluded to the merit of Yehuda being the one responsible for causing Reuvain to confess his sin.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> Hashem should then listen to the voice of Yehuda and allow his bones to finally rest. | Additionally during the entire 40 year journey in the desert, the bones of Yehuda were rolling in his coffin, because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself when he took responsibility for Benjamin saying that if he would not bring him back to Yackov he will be a sinner to him for all of the days.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> By Moshe placing Yehuda near Reuvain he alluded to the merit of Yehuda being the one responsible for causing Reuvain to confess his sin.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> Hashem should then listen to the voice of Yehuda and allow his bones to finally rest. | ||
− | Moshe then blessed that Hashem should listen to the voice of Yehuda and hear the prayers of his descendants King Dovid, King Shlomo, King Asa during the Battle of the Africans, | + | Moshe then blessed that Hashem should listen to the voice of Yehuda and hear the prayers of his descendants King Dovid, King Shlomo, King Asa during the Battle of the Africans, Kind Yehoshofot during his battle with the Ammonites and King Chizkiyah when he was attacked by Sancherev.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> Hashem should bring him back from war in peace<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> to his people. May the hands of the Yehudim fight their battle and extract vengeance for them.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> He should help them against their enemies, specifically King Yehoshafot when he cried out as he was about to be killed during the Battle of Ramot Gilad and Hashem helped him. |
===Blessing of Shimon=== | ===Blessing of Shimon=== | ||
− | Moshe did not bless the Tribe of Shimon because he held against them what they<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> and their leader Zimri ben Salu had sinned in Shittim.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> Despite this Moshe concealed and alluded a blessing for the Tribe of Shimon inside the blessing of Yehuda.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> as it says 'שמע ה' קול יהודה' and 'שמע' has the same root as 'שִׁמְעוֹן'. Similarly when the Tribes later divided Eretz Yisroel, the Tribe of Shimon received their inheritance out of the lot of the Tribe of Yehuda.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> | + | Moshe did not bless the Tribe of Shimon because he held against them what they<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> and their leader Zimri ben Salu had sinned in Shittim.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> Despite this Moshe concealed and alluded a blessing for the Tribe of Shimon inside the blessing of Yehuda.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> as it says 'שמע ה' קול יהודה'and 'שמע' has the same root as 'שִׁמְעוֹן'. Similarly when the Tribes later divided Eretz Yisroel, the Tribe of Shimon received their inheritance out of the lot of the Tribe of Yehuda.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:7"/> |
===Blessing of Levi=== | ===Blessing of Levi=== | ||
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At the same time Moshe was addressing Hashem, asking him why false accusations had been made against, Ahron and Miriam<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:8"/> who were members of the Tribe of Levi and they had been punished more severely then they should have. For if he Moshe was punished with death and not permitted to enter Eretz Yisroel for calling the Jews rebels during the incident of Kodesh.<ref name="Chumash Bamidbar 20:10">Chumash Bamidbar 20:10</ref> why were they punished<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:8"/> with the same just for not protesting. | At the same time Moshe was addressing Hashem, asking him why false accusations had been made against, Ahron and Miriam<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:8"/> who were members of the Tribe of Levi and they had been punished more severely then they should have. For if he Moshe was punished with death and not permitted to enter Eretz Yisroel for calling the Jews rebels during the incident of Kodesh.<ref name="Chumash Bamidbar 20:10">Chumash Bamidbar 20:10</ref> why were they punished<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:8"/> with the same just for not protesting. | ||
− | When the Jews had sinned in the Incident of the Golden Calf,<ref name="Chumash Shemos 32:26">Chumash Shemos 32:26</ref> Moshe had declared that whoever was for Hashem and had not sinned should come to him. When the entire Tribe of Levi gathered, Moshe had ordered them to kill all those guilty of worshiping the golden calf. They proceeded to do so, ignoring even their father and mother, in some cases even killing their grandfather from their mothers side who was from a different tribe<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9">Rashi Devarim 33:9</ref> and had sinned. They pretended to not recognize their brothers and killed even their half brothers with the same mother who were from different tribes.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/> They pretended to not know their children and killed their own grandchildren, sons of their daughters from other tribes that had sinned.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/>. While only around 3,000 sinners had been executed by the Levim and the possibility of the above circumstances were rare, even a few could have yielded a number of cases since there was a time period in Egypt where women would give birth to six children at once.<ref name="Shover Zadim Vezos Habracha">Shover Zadim Vezos Habracha</ref>. | + | When the Jews had sinned in the Incident of the Golden Calf,<ref name="Chumash Shemos 32:26">Chumash Shemos 32:26</ref> Moshe had declared that whoever was for Hashem and had not sinned should come to him. When the entire Tribe of Levi gathered, Moshe had ordered them to kill all those guilty of worshiping the golden calf. They proceeded to do so, ignoring even their father and mother, in some cases even killing their grandfather from their mothers side who was from a different tribe<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9">Rashi Devarim 33:9</ref> and had sinned. They pretended to not recognize their brothers and killed even their half brothers with the same mother who were from different tribes.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/> They pretended to not know their children and killed their own grandchildren, sons of their daughters from other tribes that had sinned.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/>. While only around 3,000 sinners had been executed by the Levim and the possibility of the above circumstances were rare, even a few could have yielded a number of cases since there was a time period in Egypt where women would give birth to six children at once.<ref name="Shover Zadim Vezos Habracha">Shover Zadim Vezos Habracha</ref>. |
During the Incident of the Golden Calf the Tribe of Levi had proven that they observed Hashem's word that there should be no other gods before Him.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/> Additionally they had proven themselves to uphold the covenant of the Bris Milah as all the rest of the Jews did not circumcise their sons that were born in the desert but the Levim did.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/> | During the Incident of the Golden Calf the Tribe of Levi had proven that they observed Hashem's word that there should be no other gods before Him.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/> Additionally they had proven themselves to uphold the covenant of the Bris Milah as all the rest of the Jews did not circumcise their sons that were born in the desert but the Levim did.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:9"/> | ||
− | As a reward Moshe blessed the Tribe of Levi that they should teach the Laws and the Torah to the Jews, the descendants of Yaakov and they are worthy of doing so.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:10">Rashi Devarim 33:10</ref> | + | As a reward Moshe blessed the Tribe of Levi that they should teach the Laws and the Torah to the Jews, the descendants of Yaakov and they are worthy of doing so.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:10">Rashi Devarim 33:10</ref> The Kohanim which are part of Levi will also get to place Ketoret incense before Hashem and Olah offerings where are completely burnt<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:10"/> upon the Mezbeach alter. |
− | Moshe continued requesting that may Hashem bless their army | + | |
+ | Moshe continued requesting that may Hashem bless their army favorably accept the work of their hands. Those who rise up to contest the Kehuna priesthood<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:11">Rashi Devarim 33:11</ref> should receive a mighty strike in their thigh a blow they will not recover from.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:11"/> Moshe also foresaw how Matisyahu the Chasmonai, his 12 sons and son-in-law Eliezer would wage war against many myriads of the Greeks and therefore blessed this Levite army and the working of their hands.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:11"/> | ||
===Blessing of Binyamin=== | ===Blessing of Binyamin=== | ||
− | Following the blessing of Levi which deals with the Korbanos, Moshe jumped to Binyamin the youngest of the Tribes since his blessing deals with the related subject of the Beis Hamikdash.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12">Rashi Devarim 33:12</ref> Binymain is the beloved one of Hashem and shall dwell securely beside Him | + | Following the blessing of Levi which deals with the Korbanos, Moshe jumped to Binyamin the youngest of the Tribes since his blessing deals with the related subject of the Beis Hamikdash.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12">Rashi Devarim 33:12</ref> Binymain is the beloved one of Hashem and shall dwell securely beside Him. Hashem will cover him<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12"/> and protect him all day long, meaning forever since from the time Yerushalim was chosen for the Beis Hamikdash the Shichina never dwelt elsewhere.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12"/> The Beis Hamikdash would be built in his territory causing Hashem to dwell between his shoulders. |
When Kind Dovid was trying to pinpoint the exact location of the Beis Hamikdash, He first thought to build it at the Eitam Well, located near Har Habayis and the highest point of Binyamin's land.<ref name="Yoma 31A">Yoma 31A</ref> They then decided to build it a little lower as it says "He dwells between his shoulders" and selected Har Habayis instead which was 23 Amos cubits lower align with the shoulders which are lower then the head and infact there is no part of an ox more beautiful than its shoulders.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12"/> | When Kind Dovid was trying to pinpoint the exact location of the Beis Hamikdash, He first thought to build it at the Eitam Well, located near Har Habayis and the highest point of Binyamin's land.<ref name="Yoma 31A">Yoma 31A</ref> They then decided to build it a little lower as it says "He dwells between his shoulders" and selected Har Habayis instead which was 23 Amos cubits lower align with the shoulders which are lower then the head and infact there is no part of an ox more beautiful than its shoulders.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12"/> | ||
===Blessing of Yosef=== | ===Blessing of Yosef=== | ||
− | After blessing Binymain regarding the Beis Hamikdash, Moshe proceeded to bless the Tribe of Yosef regarding the Mishkan of Shilo | + | After blessing Binymain regarding the Beis Hamikdash, Moshe proceeded to bless the Tribe of Yosef regarding the Mishkan of Shilo. Yet placed Binymain first since the Beis Hamkidsah was more precious for Hashem then the Mishkan.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:12"/> |
− | Yosef's land should be blessed by Hashem for his land was filled with more goodness then those of the rest of the Tribes.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13">Rashi Devarim 33:13</ref> It should have the delicacies and sweetness<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13"/> of the heavens with dew. It should be nourished with the waters of the deep that ascend and moisten the land from below.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13"/> Although this was also mentioned in Yackov's blessing to Yosef, Moshe's blessings resembled those of Yackov<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13"/> and an open or hidden allusion can be found in each. Since Yosef's land was exposed to the sun it would contain its sweetness in its produce and fruit.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:14">Rashi Devarim 33:14</ref> At the same time it would be blessed to have the sweetness of the moon's yield as well which ripens cucumbers and gourds.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:14"/> Additionally the land will expel and produce fruit each and every month.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:14"/ | + | Yosef's land should be blessed by Hashem for his land was filled with more goodness then those of the rest of the Tribes.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13">Rashi Devarim 33:13</ref> It should have the delicacies and sweetness<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13"/> of the heavens with dew. It should be nourished with the waters of the deep that ascend and moisten the land from below.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13"/> Although this was also mentioned in Yackov's blessing to Yosef, Moshe's blessings resembled those of Yackov<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:13"/> and an open or hidden allusion can be found in each. Since Yosef's land was exposed to the sun it would contain its sweetness in its produce and fruit.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:14">Rashi Devarim 33:14</ref> At the same time it would be blessed to have the sweetness of the moon's yield as well which ripens cucumbers and gourds.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:14"/> Additionally the land will expel and produce fruit each and every month.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:14"/> |
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Moshe continued to bless the Land of Yosef saying its mountains should be first to ripen its fruit.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:15">Rashi Devarim 33:15</ref> At the same time Moshe alluded that at the time of Creation the mountains in the territory of Yosef preceded those of all other mountains.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:15"/> Its hills should continue to produce fruit at all times and not cease even when there is a lack of rain.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:15"/> | Moshe continued to bless the Land of Yosef saying its mountains should be first to ripen its fruit.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:15">Rashi Devarim 33:15</ref> At the same time Moshe alluded that at the time of Creation the mountains in the territory of Yosef preceded those of all other mountains.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:15"/> Its hills should continue to produce fruit at all times and not cease even when there is a lack of rain.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:15"/> | ||
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Moshe blessed the sweetness of the land and its fullness, and that it should be accepted with contentment and appeasement<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16"/> of Hashem who had first revealed Himself to him in the thornbush.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16">Rashi Devarim 33:16</ref> May the blessing<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16"/> come upon the head of Yosef and the crown of the one separated from his brothers when they sold him.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16"/> | Moshe blessed the sweetness of the land and its fullness, and that it should be accepted with contentment and appeasement<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16"/> of Hashem who had first revealed Himself to him in the thornbush.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16">Rashi Devarim 33:16</ref> May the blessing<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16"/> come upon the head of Yosef and the crown of the one separated from his brothers when they sold him.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:16"/> | ||
− | From Yosef the firstborn will come a great king;<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17">Rashi Devarim 33:17</ref> Yehoshua, whose strength is as mighty as that of an ox, to conquer many kings.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> Glory was given to him when Moshe transferred some of his glory upon him while resting his hands on him and appointing him as a leader.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> His horns will have the beauty of re'em horns but the power of ox horns which are ugly but much more powerful.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> With them, he will gore the thirty one kings who originated from all the ends of the earth and acquired for themselves a palace and holding in the Eretz Yisroel due to its distinction.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> These to be gored are the myriads killed by Yehoshua who was descended from Ephraim. Aside from this there would be thousands in Midyon killed by Gideon the descendant of Menashe.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17 | + | From Yosef the firstborn will come a great king;<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17">Rashi Devarim 33:17</ref> Yehoshua, whose strength is as mighty as that of an ox, to conquer many kings.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> Glory was given to him when Moshe transferred some of his glory upon him while resting his hands on him and appointing him as a leader.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> His horns will have the beauty of re'em horns but the power of ox horns which are ugly but much more powerful.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> With them, he will gore the thirty one kings who originated from all the ends of the earth and acquired for themselves a palace and holding in the Eretz Yisroel due to its distinction.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> These to be gored are the myriads killed by Yehoshua who was descended from Ephraim. Aside from this there would be thousands in Midyon killed by Gideon the descendant of Menashe.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:17"/> |
===Blessing of Zevulon and Yissaschar=== | ===Blessing of Zevulon and Yissaschar=== | ||
The Tribes of Zevulon and Yissaschar had entered a partnership and therefore Moshe blessed them together.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> Zevulon would dwell near the seashore and go out in ships, to trade and make profit. They would thereby provide food for the Tribe of Yissaschar, who would sit and occupy themselves with the study of Torah.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> Although Yissaschor was the older and more respected of the two, Zevulon is mentioned first because his Torah came through the assistance of Zevulon.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> | The Tribes of Zevulon and Yissaschar had entered a partnership and therefore Moshe blessed them together.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> Zevulon would dwell near the seashore and go out in ships, to trade and make profit. They would thereby provide food for the Tribe of Yissaschar, who would sit and occupy themselves with the study of Torah.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> Although Yissaschor was the older and more respected of the two, Zevulon is mentioned first because his Torah came through the assistance of Zevulon.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> | ||
− | + | Moshe blessed the Tribe of Zevulon, saying they should rejoice in their departure and prosper when they go out to trade.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> and Yissaschor should prosper when they sit in their tents to study Torah<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> and in the Sanhedrin to calculate and proclaim the leap year that have an extra month of Adar and decide which months have an extra day in the month.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:18"/> Indeed the Tribe of Yissaschor ended up producing 200 Shanhedirn leaders experts in these calculations and accordance with their outcomes the years were fixed.<ref name="Devri Hayomim I 12:32">Devri Hayomim I 12:32</ref> All the Tribes<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19">Rashi Devarim 33:19</ref> will go up to Har Habayis for the Holidays<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> based on how they are calculated by the wise of Yissachor and there they will offer righteous sacrifices.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> They will be able to attain these levels since they will be nourished by the abundance of the seas and thereby, they will have spare time to study the Torah.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> | |
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Additionally the Tribes on Zevulon and Yissaschor will attain an abundance<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> of wealth by the treasures hidden<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> in the sand and sea which were found in their territories.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> These include the Tarit fish, the Chilazon snail from which the blue Techelt dye was produced and 'white glass' produced from the sand.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> Although these riches where hidden and not obvious like the fields and vineyards given to brothers like Naftali, they were worth more and sought out by the entire Nation.<ref name="Talmud Bavli Megila 6A">Talmud Bavli Megila 6A</ref> | Additionally the Tribes on Zevulon and Yissaschor will attain an abundance<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> of wealth by the treasures hidden<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> in the sand and sea which were found in their territories.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> These include the Tarit fish, the Chilazon snail from which the blue Techelt dye was produced and 'white glass' produced from the sand.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> Although these riches where hidden and not obvious like the fields and vineyards given to brothers like Naftali, they were worth more and sought out by the entire Nation.<ref name="Talmud Bavli Megila 6A">Talmud Bavli Megila 6A</ref> | ||
− | + | Through the commerce of Zevulon, merchants of the world’s nations would come to his land which sits on the border of the country. Often these merchants after having gone through so much trouble to reach the land would decide to visit Yerushalaim as well, to see what the God of the nation is like and how they worship Him. Upon seeing that the entire Nation worships a single God and eats a certain standard of food, unlike the Pagans who worship many gods and all have different food customs, the merchants would be amazed and would convert to Judaism offering righteous sacrifices.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19"/> | |
− | Through the commerce of Zevulon, merchants of the world’s nations would come to his land which sits on the border of the country. Often these merchants after having gone through so much trouble to reach the land would decide to visit Yerushalaim as well, to see what the God of the nation is like and how they worship Him. Upon seeing that the entire Nation worships a single God and eats a certain standard of food, unlike the Pagans who worship many gods and all have different food customs, the merchants would be amazed and would convert to Judaism offering righteous sacrifices.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:19 | + | |
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====Doubling Names==== | ====Doubling Names==== | ||
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To the Tribe of Gad he said: Blessed is Hashem Who granted expanse to Gad by extending their territory far eastward.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20">Rashi Devarim 33:20</ref> | To the Tribe of Gad he said: Blessed is Hashem Who granted expanse to Gad by extending their territory far eastward.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20">Rashi Devarim 33:20</ref> | ||
− | Gad who dwells near the border<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20"/> is like a lion, for all those who are located near the border must be mighty.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20"/> They would tear the arm of their prey, together with its head. Indeed anyone slain by the Gadites could be easily identified as they used to cut off the head together with the arm in one blow.<ref name="Rashi | + | Gad who dwells near the border<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20"/> is like a lion, for all those who are located near the border must be mighty.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20"/> They would tear the arm of their prey, together with its head. Indeed anyone slain by the Gadites could be easily identified as they used to cut off the head together with the arm in one blow.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:20"/> |
− | Gad choose to select a portion for himself from the first conquest, the land of Sichon and Og<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21">Rashi Devarim 33:21</ref> since he knew that within his territory lay the destined burial location of the lawgiver Moshe,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> which would remain hidden and concealed from all creatures.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> They wanted Moshe buried in their land as he went to battle Sichon and Og at the head of the Nation,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> unlike other kings that go behind their army and because he did the righteous in front of Hahshem<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> and led the Jews above and beyond what was required. | + | Gad choose to select a portion for himself from the first conquest, the land of Sichon and Og<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21">Rashi Devarim 33:21</ref> since he knew that within his territory lay the destined burial location of the lawgiver Moshe,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> which would remain hidden and concealed from all creatures.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> They wanted Moshe buried in their land as he went to battle Sichon and Og at the head of the Nation,<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> unlike other kings that go behind their army and because he did the righteous in front of Hahshem<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> and led the Jews above and beyond what was required. |
Gad came<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> at the head of the people, when the Gadites were selected to march before the armed forces in the conquest of the Land, because the Gadites were powerful.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> They did what was righteous for Hashem and lawful for the Jews when the Gadites kept their word and promise to cross the Yarden and remain there to help their brothers until Eretz Yisroel had conquered and divided among the tribes.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> | Gad came<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> at the head of the people, when the Gadites were selected to march before the armed forces in the conquest of the Land, because the Gadites were powerful.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> They did what was righteous for Hashem and lawful for the Jews when the Gadites kept their word and promise to cross the Yarden and remain there to help their brothers until Eretz Yisroel had conquered and divided among the tribes.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:21"/> | ||
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===Blessing of Dun=== | ===Blessing of Dun=== | ||
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===Blessing of Naftali=== | ===Blessing of Naftali=== | ||
− | Moshe told the Tribe of Naftali that they will be favorably satisfied and full of the Hashem's blessings since their land would fully satisfy all its inhabitants.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23">Rashi Devarim 33:23</ref> Naftali will possess<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23"/> the Sea of the Kineret<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23"/> and a rope’s length of fishing-coast on its South for spreading out his nets and fish traps.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23 | + | Moshe told the Tribe of Naftali that they will be favorably satisfied and full of the Hashem's blessings since their land would fully satisfy all its inhabitants.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23">Rashi Devarim 33:23</ref> Naftali will possess<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23"/> the Sea of the Kineret<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23"/> and a rope’s length of fishing-coast on its South for spreading out his nets and fish traps.<ref name="Rashi Devarim 33:23"/> |
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==References== | ==References== |