What are the connotations of 'B'chor Shoro'? Why did Moshe refer to Yosef as 'B'chor'?
Rashi, Seforno and Targum Onkelos: It means that Yosef's land will be blessed via the goodwill and favor (directly - Seforno) of the One who revealed Himself to Moshe at the burning bush. 1
Zevachim, 118b: 'When they came to Shiloh, the Bamos became forbidden and Kodshim Kalim and Ma'aser Sheini could be eaten as far as one could see, as the Torah wrwites "u'Retzon Shochni Sneh" - 'The eye which did not want to benefit from what was not his (Potifera's wife), will merit to eat in the portion 2 of those who hated him. 3
"Imo Anochi be'Tzarah", Tehilim, 91:15.
See Torah Temimah, note 54.
'Senu'ah' - a play on the word "S'neh".
What is the meaning of "Hadar lo"?
Rashi: It means ' ... was given to him'. 1
Targum Onkelos: Refer to 33:17:1:2.
Targum Yonasan: It means 'because the glory (grandeur) belongs to him.
Rashi: See Bamidbar, 27:20.
What is a Re'eim"?
Rashi: "Re'eim" is often translated as 'a buffalo'. 1
See however, 'The Living Torah, in Bamidbar, 23:22, who presents a number of alternatives.
Having associated Yehoshua with a Shor, why does Moshe then associate him with a Re'eim?
Rashi: Moshe attributed to Yehoshua the strength of an ox - whose horns are not beautiful, and the beauty of the horns of a Re'em, which is not strong.
Hadar Zekenim and Rosh: "Karnei Re'eim" refers to the tribe of Efrayim, Yehoshua's kinsmen, who were his men of war. 1
Targum Onkelos: 'Mighty deeds were done to him from before the One to whom might and majesty belong.
Targum Yonasan: With reference to 33:17:1:3 - 'And just as a Re'eim gores the wild beasts of the field, so too, will the sons of Yosef rule over the nations as one, in all the ends of the land'.
As the Pasuk concludes "ve'Heim Riv'vos Efrayim"
"ve'Karnei Re'eim Karnav". Why did Moshe portray Yosef's strength in the form of "Karnei Re'eim"?
Ramban: Having blessed Yosef with an abundance of produce - which comes about via the strength of oxen, 1 the Torah proceeds to describe his strength - with reference to 31:17:1:1 - in the form of the horns of an ox: the two horns represent Efrayim and Menashe - the right horn, Efrayim, and the left one, Menasheh - Refer to 31:17:7:2.
Ramban: As the Pasuk writs in Mishlei, 14:4 "ki Rav Tevu'os be'Ko'ach Shor".
What is the significance of the fact that the Torah refers to "Karnei Re'eim" and not 'Shofros Re'eim'?
What is the meaning of Yenagach Yachdav "Afsei Aretz"?
Rashi: It means that they (Efrayim and Menasheh) together will gore (defeat) the thirty-one kings of Cana'an. 1
Seforno: With reference to 33:17:1:2 - it means that, together, Yehudah and Yosef will defeat the nations. 2
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means that they will gore (defeat) together the nations to the ends of the land. 3
Bava Kama: The fact that the Torah writes "bahem Amim Yenagach" - in conection with "B'chor Shoro" - teaches us that theLashon 'Negichah' is confined to Keren (the horn). 4
Rashi: So-called because there was not a king or prince who did not own a palace and a plot of land in Eretz Yisrael - which was precious in the eyes of all the nations, as the Pasuk states in Yirmiyah, 3:19.
Seforno: See Yeshayah, 11:13 & 14.
This probably refers to the thirty-one nations of Cana'an - like Rashi in answer #1.
See Torah Temimah, note 59.
Who are the "Riv'vos Efrayim" and the 'Alfei Menasheh"?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: The "Riv'vos Efrayim" refers to the tens of thousands who were killed by Yehoshua (in Gilgal - Targum Yonasan) who came from Efrayim, and the "Alfei Menasheh", to the thousands of Midyan killed by Gid'on, 1 who came from Menasheh. 2
Ramban (citing the Sifri): "Riv'vos Efrayim" refers to the hundred and thirty-five thousand Cana'anim whom Yehoshua killed in the battle against Zevach and Tzalmuna in Karkor, and "Alfei Menasheh" to the children who survived, whom the B'nei Menasheh subsequently killed. 3
Rashi: See Shoftim, 8:10.
See Ramban's objection to Rashi's explanation.
See Ramban, DH 've'Hinei'.
What is the significance of the "Riv'vis Efrayim and the "Alfei Menasheh"?
Hadar Zekenim and Rosh: Tens of thousands are attributed to Efrayim, and thousands to Menasheh, due to Ya'akov's B'rachah "ve'Achiv ha'Katon Yigdal Mimenu" (Bereishis 49:9).
Kol Eliyahu and Divrei Eliyahu: When Ya'akov blessed Yosef's sons, he placed his right hand on Efrayim and his left hand on Menasheh. Consquently, based on the Pasuk in Tehilim 91:7 "Yipol mi'Tzidcha Elef u'Revavah mi'Yeminecha", Efrayim, will kill ten thousand of the enemy, and Menasheh, one thousand.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that "B'chor Shoro" refers to Yehoshua. Why is that?
Refer to 33:17:1:1*.
Rashi: Due to his strength - inasmuch as he defeated many kings.


