Berayshis, Chapter 49
Yaakov called for his sons and he said:
“Gather yourselves together and I will tell you what will happen to you in the end of days. Keep together always and listen, you sons of Yaakov; and listen to the teachings of Yisroel your father.
Reuven! You are my firstborn, my might and the first of my strength. You should have had the superiority of the dignity of the priesthood; you should have had the superiority of kingship. But because of your impetuosity which is like running waters, you cannot be the superior and leader: You showed this impetuosity when you presumed to disturb your father’s place of repose: Then you unthinkingly desecrated my couch above which hovered the Shechinoh.”
Shi’mon and Levi are close brothers But their weapons of violence they usurped — they are not truly theirs! In their councils let not my spirit come; when they gather, may I not be included: For in the heat of their rage they would kill even innocent men, and in their cool temper they would destroy even the dumb beast. Cursed is their wrath — even if be justified — for it is too fierce; and their fury for it is cruelly hard! I must disperse them among the People of Yaakov, that they shall not govern, and I must scatter them throughout the Nation of Yisroel that they shall not rule.”
But Yehudah! You are the one to whom your brothers shall pay homage! Your hand shall be upon the neck of your enemies, and to you shall your father’s sons bow down. A noble young lion is Yehudah; you, my son, are above cruelly tearing the prey; sedately kneeling down, protectively crouching down, as the lion and the lioness — who would dare to rouse him? Therefore, the royal sceptre shall not depart from Yehudah, not the Torah judicature; from him shall descend kings and Torah princes at whose feet will sit the Torah scholars: right until the coming of Moshiach and universal peace, when the obedience of Nations will be his. He binds his young ass to load it up with the produce of the vine, and for the fruit of one choice vine-branch, his ass’s colt — so fruitful will be his land! His royal robes coloured purple, as if washed in wine, his mantle red, as if rinsed in the blood of grapes. The watching hills of his land shall be red with vineyards and his land will glisten white like milk with cornfields and flocks of sheep.”
Zevullun will dwell at the shore of the seas and his coastline shall be a haven for ships — and he shall enjoy their commerce — with his border extending up to Tziddon.”
Yissochor is sturdy like a strong-boned ass crouching among the heavy burdens. He perceives that rest is good, and that the homeland is more pleasant than distant undertakings: He inclines his shoulder to take the burdens of Torah-study, to guide the People and, as their servant, they shall be indebted to him.”
Don shall stand up for the rights of his People as courageously as the best of the Tribes of Yisroel. For, when he must, Don shall fight for them with the cunning of the snake on the highway, and like a hissing viper on the path shall he defend the retreating troop. It bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward. And in such troubled times — for Your salvation, HaShem, I do hope!”
But when the enemy’s troops band-up against Gad then he raids them successfully with his troops and he is directly upon their heels.”
From the land of Osher comes the choicest foods and he will provide the Nation with delicacies fit for kings.”
Naftoli is as fleet as the gazelle over the wide plains to carry out what is entrusted to him: He gives forth with beautiful eloquence the teachings of the Torah for the benefit of all his People.”
A noble, distinguished son is Yosef, as a beautiful plant flourishing at the wellspring, its branches running over the wall. Even though some people embittered his life and harboured hatred for him — even though, in their hatred, they shot their tongues at him like those that shoot arrows — yet the aim of his bow was true, and never deflected, and, when his arms and hands were later bedecked with golden bracelets and rings of office, he sustained them all, readily acknowledging that his power comes from the Mighty G-d of Yaakov; and from there, Mitzrayyim, he was the shepherd and builder — together with their father Yisroel — of the whole of his People. All this was indeed from your father’s G-d — and may He always help you! From G-d, the Sufficient Provider — and may He Himself bless you! With the blessings of the heavens above, with the blessings of the waters that lie in the depths, with the blessings of healthy parents and vigorous children. May these, your father’s blessings, be added to the blessings of my forefathers — for ever and ever — until the boundaries of space and time! May they come upon the head of Yosef — upon the crowned head of he who was isolated — but is the prince among his brethren.”
Binyomin, though the youngest of the brothers, like a wolf shall he destroy the enemy and provide for the Nation: At morning, on his Mizbayach the sacred fire will consume the Korbonnos of atonement and towards evening, too, he will share with his People the benefits of the expiatory Korbonnos.”
All these are the Tribes of Yisroel, The Twelve Tribes who shall inherit the Land together, and thus did their father speak sternly to some of them. Nevertheless, he blessed each of them individually: He blessed each one according to his special characteristics. And in each one’s particular blessing was intended the benefit of all of them.
