1)

Why did Moshe mention the names of the last five tribes (with the exception of Yisachar), twice?

1.

Rashi #! (citing Bava Kama 92a): He repeated the names of Zevulun, Gad, 1 Dan, Naftali and Asher in order to strengthen them, because they were naturally weaker than the other tribes. 2

2.

Rashi #2 (in Bereishis 47:2, citing Bereishis Rabah): He doubled their names, and also the name of Yehudah, because they were the strongest.


1

We find that B'nei Gad were exceptionally strong! Refer to 33:20:2:1 & 20:20:3:1, and to Rashi on Pasuk 21, DH 'Roshei Am'. Perhaps this was due to Moshe's Brachah which helped them more than the other tribes, because they honored Moshe more (Refer to 33:21:2:1), and they were dedicated to fulfilling their condition to fight valiantly (they promised to go in front of the troops (Bamidbar 32:17, Rashi)

2)

Why does the Torah mention Zevulun and Yisachar in the same Pasuk and why does it place Zevulun before his older brother Yisachar?

1.

Rashi: Because Zevulun and Yisachar entered into a partnership, whereby the former, who dwelt by the seashore, would travel to other lands in their ships where they would indulge in business. With half the proceeds they would sustain Yisachar, who would sit and study Torah. 1 And since the Torah of Yisachar was only possible through the efforts of Zevulun, Moshe gave Zevulun precedence. 2


1

The reward for which they would share with Zevulun.

2

According to the simple P'shat (Refer to 33:19:3:1 and note) - that both brothers profitted; the quetion remains Why is Zevulun mentioned before Yisachar?

3)

What did Moshe mean when he said "S'mach Zevulun be'Tzeisecha"?

1.

Rashi and Targum Yonasan: He was blessing Zevulun that they should succeed in their business endeavors. 1

2.

Targum Onkelos: 'Rejoice, Zevulun, when you go out to wage war against your enemies!'' 2

3.

Alshich: Other merchants are not happy until they return, because they do not know if they will profit or lose. Zevulun however, are happy from the beginning, because they enabled Yisachar to learn Torah.


1

Da'as Zekenim and Rosh: They went to Tzur and Tzidon and to far away places.

2

It is not clear however, as to why Moshe gave this blessing to Zevulun more than to the other tribes.

4)

What did Moshe mean when he said "ve'Yisachar be'Ohalecha"?

1.

Rashi #1: He was blessing the two hundred heads of Sanhedrin of Yisachar 1


2

Da'as Zekenim and Rosh: This is similar to the B'rachah of Ya'akov "Rovetz bein ha'Mishpesayim" '(He crouches between the borders' - to guard his field) - Bereishis 49:14.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

5)

Rashi writes that Moshe doubled the names of the weak tribes. In Bereishis (47:2), he cites an opinion that he doubled the strong ones, whereas In Bamidbar (32:17), he wrote that Reuven and Gad were both strong, which conforms to neither opinion?

1.

Perhaps Moshe repeated names of tribes prone to be weak because they come from a weaker son of Ya'akov, even if in Moshe's time, the men of the tribe were strong (PF). 1


1

One should bear in mind that Rashi sometimes cites different (conficting) opinions in different places.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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