Characteristics of the Tribes According
to Rabbinical Sources.
Rabbi Nathan
and the Twelve Tribes
Contents:
Rabbi Nathan and the Twelve Tribes
Rabbi Nathan Sternhartz of Breslov (1780 1844), also known as "Reb Noson", was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov the founder of the
Breslov branch of Hasidic Judaism. Rabbi Nachman (1772-1810) of Breslov is also
known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav.
The following article is based on an excerpt from the writings of Rabbi Nathan
("Likutei Halacot", Orach Chaim, Tefilah 5:3). We have summarized, elaborated
upon, and paraphrased the original somewhat while endeavoring to give over the
original message.
The Twelve Tribes are paralleled by Twelve Blessings that comprise the middle
section of the weekday (not Shabat or Festival) prayer said three times daily by
Religious Jews.
Twelve Blessings for Twelve Tribes
The Twelve Middle Blessings parallel the Twelve Tribes descendants of the Sons
of Jacob. The Children of Jacob represent the aspect of a Complete Staff
[Unified Stick, cf. Ezekiel 37] which is the main aim of prayer, i.e. to unite
the individual with the rest of Israel before the Almighty.
The Twelve Blessings parallel the Twelve Sons of Jacob:
Reuben
The First Blessing of the Twelve Middle Blessings starts with, "You Give to Man
Knowledge". This pertains to Reuben.
The birth of Reuben is described in the Torah:
[Genesis 29:31] AND WHEN THE LORD SAW THAT LEAH WAS HATED, HE OPENED HER WOMB:
BUT RACHEL WAS BARREN.
[Genesis 29:32] AND LEAH CONCEIVED, AND BARE A SON, AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME
REUBEN: FOR SHE SAID, SURELY THE LORD HATH LOOKED UPON MY AFFLICTION; NOW
THEREFORE MY HUSBAND WILL LOVE ME.
The Blessing "You Give to Man Knowledge" represents Reuben who was named for
the quality of Perception (Genesis 29) and whose named connotes "See a Son" [in
Hebrew, "Reu-ben", Beracoth 7] . Sight (perception) is an aspect of discernment
and knowledge as it says, "MY HEART HAD GREAT EXPERIENCE OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
[Eccelssiastes -The Preacher 1:16].
In Hebrew the expression translated as "HAD GREAT EXPERIENCE OF" is "Rah" which
literally translated means "saw", i.e. "my heart saw much knowledge and
wisdom". cf. "And the eyes of both of them were opened" (Genesis 3) which is
connected with knowledge and knowing as Rashi explains.
Simeon
The Blessing of Repentance, "Return Us" parallels Simeon whose name is reflected
in the expression of his mother when he was born, "God heard that I was hated"
[Genesis 29:33] AND SHE CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BARE A SON; AND SAID, BECAUSE THE
LORD HATH HEARD I WAS HATED, HE HATH THEREFORE GIVEN ME THIS SON ALSO: AND SHE
CALLED HIS NAME SIMEON.
This applies to a Penitent who at first is trapped in transgression and is
hateful in the eyes of God and himself but then God helps him. The penitent
arouses himself to repentance. God has mercy on his disgrace as it says "BECAUSE THE
LORD HATH HEARD I WAS HATED".
MY WOUNDS STINK AND ARE CORRUPT BECAUSE OF MY FOOLISHNESS [Psalms 38:5]. The
sinner is corrupt and disgraceful in his own eyes.
THE POOR IS HATED EVEN OF HIS OWN NEIGHBOUR [Proverbs 14:20] This applies to
someone who is poor in Torah and good deeds. We pray and request that the
Almighty will have mercy, hear us, and enable us to repent and return for we are
hateful because our deeds are bad. We want the Almighty to hear us and help us
return with true contrition to HIM.
[In the Blessing of Moses to the Tribes (Deuteronomy ch.33) Simeon is
omitted. Judah however in some cases encompassed the Tribes of Simeon (Joshua ch.
2). The Sages said that the presence of Simeon is hinted at in the Blessing
to Judah which begins with "HEAR, LORD, THE VOICE OF JUDAH". The word "HEAR" in
Hebrew is "Shema" which sounds similar to the Hebrew pronunciation of Simeon ("Shima-on").]
[Deuteronomy 33:7] AND THIS IS THE BLESSING OF JUDAH: AND HE SAID, HEAR [Hebrew:
"Shema"], LORD, THE VOICE OF JUDAH, AND BRING HIM UNTO HIS PEOPLE: LET HIS HANDS
BE SUFFICIENT FOR HIM; AND BE THOU AN HELP TO HIM FROM HIS ENEMIES.
This aspect of being heard and repentance is recalled in the phrase "HEAR, LORD,
THE VOICE OF JUDAH, AND BRING HIM UNTO HIS PEOPLE" [Deuteronomy 33:7]. This
concerns the Repentance of Judah. Judah confessed his transgression with Tamar
(Genesis 38:26), repented, and through his example caused Reuben to repent his
transgression with Bilah (Genesis 35:22, Sotah 7). Reuben was the first to
repent and set the Precedent (Midrash Breishit Rabah 84). From this we learn
that "HEAR, LORD, THE VOICE OF JUDAH" is referring to Repentance. The voice of
Israel will be heard. All of Israel [in some cases] may be subsumed under Judah
who will all repent and return. In the [Hebrew] letters of the words "HEAR,
LORD" is contained a blessing for Simeon as explained in the Commentary of Rashi.
We may deduce that the "HEAR, LORD" refers to Simeon who represents the aspect
of Repentance. This explains why the Blessing requesting we be enabled to repent
parallels Simeon.
Levi
The Blessing, "Forgive Us", parallels Levi from whom emerged the Priests (Cohens)
and Levites who were continuously occupied with the Temple Service whose aim is
to atone for and induce forgiveness on the sins of Israel.
Judah
The Blessing, "Look Now Upon Our Oppression", concludes with the expression
"Redeemer of Israel". This parallels Judah from whom will come the Messiah, the
Redeemer of Israel. He will be a Righteous Redeemer.
Issachar
The Blessing, "Heal Us", parallels Issachar. The Tribe of Issachar was much
occupied with learning the Torah (Talmud, Yoma 26). The Torah is a healing
medicine for every person.
Zebulon
The Blessing, "Bless This Year", relates to Zebulon who was a merchant and with
the profits of his trading helped support Issachar.
Dan
The Blessing, "Blow With a Great Shofar", is for the ingathering of the Exiles
especially for the gathering of they who were cast out. This parallels the tribe
of Dan who was the last of the Tribes in the line of marching and would gather
up those of the other tribes who had fallen behind.
Amalek- Archenemy of Israel
Amalek [the arch-enemy of Israel] always pursues after the camp of Dan. Amalek
bears the aspect of sexual immorality. This is called "Pegem Habrit" (impairment
of the covenant) because it weakens the bond or covenant between Israel and the
Almighty.
We pray that God will have mercy upon us and gather together our dispersed in
the physical and spiritual sense. In one sense the Dispersion was due to the
impairment of the covenant or sexual immorality and its rectification is the
responsibility of the Camp of Dan.
Naphtali
The Blessing, "Return Our Judges", parallels Naphtali:
NAPHTALI IS A HIND LET LOOSE: HE GIVETH GOODLY WORDS [Genesis
49:21].
GOODLY WORDS or "words of pleasantry" meaning pleasant sayings to clarify the
judgment and to establish counsel. The word translated as pleasant in Hebrew is
"Shepher". This root is related to the Latin and English word "super". In Hebrew
it is also used in verbal form and pronounced as "shipar" meaning to improve. "GOODLY WORDS" (Hebrew: "Imri Shepher") connote words that improve the situation
and lessen contention. This quality is connected to Royalty since the main point
of Kingship is the judgment that emanates from it as it says "The king by
judgment will establish the earth" (Proverbs 29).
Joseph
The Blessing, "On the Righteous", parallels Joseph the Righteous One.
Benjamin
The Blessing, "On Jerusalem", parallels Benjamin in whose section was located
most of Jerusalem.
Gad
The Blessing, "For the Flourishing of David", parallels Gad since Elijah comes
from Gad. Elijah will hasten the Redemption.
[Malachi 4:5] BEHOLD, I WILL SEND YOU ELIJAH THE PROPHET BEFORE THE COMING OF
THE GREAT AND DREADFUL DAY OF THE LORD:
[Malachi 4:6] AND HE SHALL TURN THE HEART OF THE FATHERS TO THE
CHILDREN, AND THE HEART OF THE CHILDREN TO THEIR FATHERS, LEST I COME AND SMITE
THE EARTH WITH A CURSE.
Asher
The Blessing, "Hear Our Prayer", parallels Asher (Genesis 30)
[Genesis 30:13] AND LEAH SAID, HAPPY AM I, FOR THE DAUGHTERS WILL CALL ME
BLESSED: AND SHE CALLED HIS NAME ASHER.
The name Asher in Hebrew can suggest affirmation which is what we receive when our prayers are answered.
"Asher" also connotes blessing and happiness.
[Deuteronomy 33:24] AND OF ASHER HE SAID, LET ASHER BE BLESSED WITH CHILDREN;
LET HIM BE ACCEPTABLE TO HIS BRETHREN, AND LET HIM DIP HIS FOOT IN OIL.
In Psalm 144 the Hebrew words "asher" meaning "which" and "ashrei" meaning
"happy" or "blessed" are repeated throughout. These Hebrew expressions resemble
the name of "Asher" and it is suggested that this Psalm pertains to that
Tribe.
Related Articles:
Manasseh
in Rabbinical Sources
Joseph in the Eyes of the Rebbe
