1)

Who is Moshe addressing?

1.

Rashi and Seforno: Moshe is now speaking to the whole of Yisrael.

2.

Ramban and Targum Yonasan: Moshe is still speaking to the tribe of Asher.

2)

What is the meaning of "Barzel u'Nechoshes Min'alecha"?

1.

Rashi #1: 'Iron and copper are your strength' - with reference to the strong tribes who dwell in Yisrael's border towns and prevent the enemy from entering. 1

2.

Rashi #2: 'Your land is enclosed with mountains from which one can mine iron and copper - and the territory of Asher is the lock of Eretz Yisrael'. 2

3.

Ramban #1: It refers to Asher, whose land is the lock of Eretz Yisrael, because it is the end (at the northern-western tip) of Eretz Yisrael. 3

4.

Ramban #2: It refers to Asher, whose land is locked, in that no strangers will come to steal their oil - which they export all over the world in their merchant-ships.

5.

Seforno: Refer to 33:2:1:1*. It means that no nations will enter your land or covet it - out of fear 4 - as if the land was protected with locks of iron and copper. 5

6.

Targum Onkelos: It means 'Your habitat in the land will be strong like iron and copper'.

7.

Targum Yonasan: It means 'Asher will be strong like iron and their feet will be as if they are shoed with copper to walk on the sharp rocks 6 .

8.

Rosh, Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim (24, citing Seifer ha'Gan): This refers to sinews and bones, which are a bolt for the body like a lock for a door. Because they was constantly anointing themselves with oil, until their sinews and bones became strong like iron.

9.

Riva: Refer to 33:24:1:10*.

10.

Oznayim la'Torah (citing the S'fas Emes): If one wants to remain strong in one's old age - Refer to 33:25:3:1 - one must preserve one's Midos and one's strength in one's youth 'with iron and copper bolts', to prevent them from running amock.


1

Rashi: As if the land was locked and bolted with iron and copper locks and bolts.

2

Which explains why Moshe inserted this B'rachah with that of Asher.

3

Ramban: As in Yehoshua, 19:26 & 29, and in Shoftim, 1:31. See Ramban.

4

Seforno: As occurred throughout the days of Yehoshua and the elders.

5

Refer also to 33:25:3:3.

6

See Na'ar Yonasan.

3)

What is the meaning of "u'che'Yamecha Dav'echa"?

1.

Rashi #1: 'And like the goodness of the days of your youth, so shall be the days of your old age - when one normally tends to decline'. 1

2.

Rashi #2 (citing the Sifri): 'And according to your good days - on which you carry out the will of Hashem - the silver and gold will flow out from the nations who come to purchase the fruit with which your land is blessed.

3.

Ramban #1: 'As long as you live, your oil will flow - to wash your feet'. 2

4.

Ramban #2: 'Like your youth (early days in the land) so will be your old age (latter days) 3 - You will enjoy a long stay in the land in tranquilty and Simchah. 4

5.

Seforno: Malchus Yisrael will continue steadily 5 from generation to generation without declining. 6

6.

Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: And you will be strong in your old age like the days of your youth'. CclSDF

7.

Riva: Refer to 33:24:1:10*.


1

Rashi in Divrei ha'Yamim 1 7:31, Da'as Zekenim, Rosh and Hadar Zekenim (in Pasuk 24, citing Seifer ha'Gan): This is the result of anointing hemselves with oil in their youth. See Chulin 24b. Refer to 33:25:2:8. See also Sifsei Chachamim.

2

Ramban: As if the Torah had written 'Zav'echa' with a 'Zayin' - because 'Zayin' and 'Daled' are interchangeable, as in Yeshayah, 14:4. And we find this constantly from Lashon ha'Kodesh to Aramaic - See Ramban, who cites numerous examples of this.

3

Ramban: And "Dav'echa" is a Lashon of 'Da'avon' - sadness, which describes old age..

4

The Ramban cites the Targum Yerushalmi which also explains the Pasuk in this way. This explanations tallies with that of the Seforno - see answer #4 and note, only it uses different words.

5

Seforno: Like when you entered the land. This is similar to Rashi's first explanation - See answer #1 - only whereas Rashi explains the Pasuk with reference to the individual, the Seforno explains it in connetion with the whole of Yisrael.

6

Refer to 33:25:3:1.

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