1)

Who was first to descend into the sea? In the Midrash, Rebbi Meir says that it was Shevet Binyamin (whereupon Bnei Yehudah took offense and tried to stop them); whereas according to Rebbi Yehudah, it was Nachshon ben Aminadav of Shevet Yehudah who went in first. What is behind these opinions?

1.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem, beg. Ch. 42, p. 158): a. Rebbi Meir - Binyamin was the youngest and last (Acharon) of the Shevatim. "Yam" as a direction means west, also called "Achor." 1 Because Binyamin was most closely associated with the "Yam;" it was appropriate that they descend first into the sea - despite that Yehudah is generally first. 2 Chazal say that Bnei Yehudah 'threw stones at' Binyamin for doing so - but nevertheless Binyamin prevailed; as they deserved to go first in essence, whereas Yehudah's claim to go first was due to their stature in general. 3 b. Rebbi Yehudah - Of all the Shevatim, only Yehudah wanted to go into the sea, as in the verse, "Yehudah became his holy [portion]" (Tehilim 114:2). Hashem's Name is found within Yehudah's name; 4 and the very name Yehudah means giving thanks to Hashem (Bereishis 29:35).


1

As in Yeshayah 9:11. In the Degalim of the Midbar as well (Bamidbar 2:22), Binyamin was positioned to the west (Yamah).

2

Yehudah was positioned in the east (Kedmah).

3

Binyamin merited that the Shechinah reside in his portion (as the Shechinah is in the west); whereas Yehudah merited the monarchy (the king goes first). For more about Binyamin being last, the completion of the Shevatim, refer to Bereishis 35:18:2.2, Bereishis 35:17:2.1, and Bereishis 35:18:2.1:1.

4

That is why Yehudah merited the monarchy; as he who glorifies the Name of Hashem will be granted a great name himself. Kidush Hashem means demonstrating that Hashem is above (Nivdal from) everything else; so too is the king above all of his subjects. (For more on Yehudah's greatness when he sanctified Hashem's Name by admitting his role with Tamar, refer to Bereishis 38:26:1:1* and Bereishis 38:26:1.3:2. For more about Yehudah's monarchy in the context of Birkos Yaakov, refer to Bereishis 49:8:151.1 .)

2)

Why does the verse specify "at their right and at their left;" instead of merely saying, 'on this side and on that'?

1.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 42, p. 159): Chazal interpret - The sea split in the merit of the Torah, given by [Hashem's] Right Hand, 1 and in the merit of Tefilin, worn on the left arm. 2 As Maharal explains, the waters of nature (Chomer) were pushed aside by holy and transcendent (Nivdal) matters, i.e. Torah and Mitzvos 3 - and the water stood tall at attention.


1

Why is Torah associated with the right side? See Gemara Shabbos 63a, and Maharal (Nesivos Olam, Nesiv ha'Torah Ch. 6, p. 27, and Ch. 16 p. 70)

2

Why is Tefilin on the left? See Maharal on the Mitzvah of Tefilin, in our commentary above, 13:9:3.11, with note 13:9:3.11:2 3

.

4

Refer to 14:15:4:1, and 14:15:5 .

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