"The Levites must speak up, saying to every individual of Israel..." (Devarim 27:14)
There are eleven specific curses listed (verse 26 is general curse for a general sin). Rashi explains this number as corresponding to all 12 tribes except Simeon, whom Moshe did not want to curse explicitly because he was planning not to bless him explicitly when he blessed all the tribes.
In general, the assumption is that the Torah links a curse to a particular tribe either:
- in order to show that the sin mentioned in the curse cannot be attributed to that tribe; or
- because that tribe was outstanding in that respect; or
- because that tribe was more liable than the others to sin in such a manner, and thus needed a more direct warning.
LEVI
Cursed be one who makes idols
The tribe of Levi was the only one that did not serve the Golden Calf (see Rashi to Devarim 33:9).
YEHUDAH
Cursed be one who shows disrespect to his parents
Yehudah promised his father to return Binyamin unscathed, and then risked his life to fulfill his promise for the sake of his father (Bereshis 42:32).
YISSACHAR
Cursed be one who tries to take for himself his neighbor's property
Yissachar was conceived when Leah claimed Yaacov for herself even though it was Rochel's night. However, she paid Rachel in full for the privilege (Bereishis 30:16). Secondly, Yissachar's leader brought his sacrifices (during the dedication ceremony of the Mishkan) before Reuven's leader. Reuven's leader complained that he rightfully ought to be first, since his tribal ancestor was older, but Hashem supported Yissachar's leader, saying that it was rightfully Yissachar's turn after all (Rashi to BaMidbar 7:19).
YOSEF
Cursed be one who misleads the blind on the road
When Yosef was on the road trying to locate his brothers, he "blindly" trusted that they would do him no harm. They, however, took advantage and did harm him. Thus, he was the only one of the brothers that did not mislead the blind. Alternatively, when Yosef was viceroy of Egypt, his brothers "blindly" stumbled upon him. Although they did not know who he was, Yosef did not take advantage of that fact to take his revenge.
BINYAMIN
Cursed be one who does injustice to a proselyte, orphan or widow
Binyamin was an orphan, and thus, this curse protected him.
REUVEN
Cursed be the one who lies with his father’s wife, uncovering the robe of his father
The curse for sleeping with one's father's wife was addressed specifically towards Reuven. Since these curses were part of a swearing-in ceremony, it could not be that Hashem intended to curse the tribe of Reuven whether they accepted His commands or not. Instead, the Torah must have addressed that curse (and its corresponding inverse blessing) towards the tribe of Reuven in order to make it clear that even they were, so far, free of condemnation for that incestuous act. Their ancestor was hence officially vindicated from having committed such a transgression.
GAD
Cursed be he who cohabits with an animal
Gad gave precedence to their animals even over their own children (Rashi BaMidbar 32:16). It was therefore necessary to warn them of this more than the other tribes.
ASHER
Cursed be he who cohabits with his sister
The women of the tribe of Asher were particularly pretty (Rashi Devarim 33:24), so Asher had to be warned of this more than any other tribe.
ZEVULUN
Cursed be he who cohabits with his mother-in-law
The members of the tribe of Zevulun were merchants who sailed long distances to trade goods with other nations (Rashi Devarim 33:18). Undoubtedly, their wives would often live together with their mothers so that they could help each other out while their husbands were away at sea. Special warning must be given to the man whose wife and mother in law are living under the same roof, since a man may become fond of his mother-in-law (Bava Basra 98b; Pesachim 103a).
DAN
Cursed be the one who smites his friend secretly (i.e., who slanders his friend - Rashi)
Dan is compared to a "snake" who "bites his enemies’ horses' hooves" (Bereshis 49:17). He must be warned to direct his energies against the enemy, and not to use the character of a snake (associated with slander in many Midrashim, such as in Tanchuma, Metzora #2) to slyly hurt others from his own nation.
NAFTALI
Cursed be the one who receives a bribe to kill the innocent
Naftali was so named because he was born after Rachel "attempted by any and all means ("Naftulei... Niftalti") to beg Hashem to grant her children through her maid-servant (Bereshis 30:8). Naftali was therefore liable to try to attain his will through any means, however illicit, so he in particular had to be warned not to be involved with bribes.
