Dedicated to those who are putting their lives on the line for the security of our people.
In the pursuit of Torah study, the dynamic partnership of Zevulen and Yissachar is one of the most popular topics for discussion. Zevulen, who is represented in Yaakov’s blessings as a ship and a port; it is a distinct reference to commerce. Zevulen’s business acumen partners with Yissacher, who is hailed as a tribe of learning. Zevulen’s wealth supports Yissacher’s learning, and, in return, Yissacher shares the merit of the learning with Zevulen.
The Yissacher-Zevulen dynamic is beautiful, especially for the fact that it continues until this day with a multitude of working men and women giving money to support those who spend their days studying the Torah. It is, for many, the best way they are able to contribute.
The men and boys who spend their days learning Torah are providing a tremendous defensive force for out nation. Over the last three months, however, we have had to look toward a different type of defense, a physical defense. We are, one might say, in an age of Gad.
In this week’s parsha, when Yaakov blesses his sons, his blessings are both definitions of character and prophecies of how each nation will develop, of what their defining characteristics will be. “Gad, a troop will troop forth from him, and it will troop back in its tracks” (Bereishis 49:19).
The commentaries note that the tribe of Gad, which was one of the two tribes who asked to settle on the east side of the Jordan, was designated as the soldiers who led the conquest of the Promised Land, putting themselves forward as a vanguard troop. And, because their homes were on the far side of the Jordan, they were also the rear guard who swept through the conquered territory and made certain to rid the land of any further enemies. We are in an age of Gad.
For almost three months, we have been dependent of troops to provide protection on a physical level (while still, of course, relying on the spiritual impact of those who shield us with Torah study). For many of us in the diaspora, it has been a desperate and frustrating time. There is a great urge to help, to provide, to do, and yet, beyond prayer, it is difficult to feel as if one can give any effectual support.
The Daas Zkaynim has a very interesting commentary on the bracha of Gad. He suggests that Gad, like Yissachar, had a partner. Bereishis 49:20 states, “From Asher will come rich food, and he will yield regal delicacies.” And thus the Daas Zkaynim says:
“‘Troops will be called up from Gad;’ if you were to question how this tribe would secure its livelihood, seeing its men of military age will be conscripted as soldiers? The tribe would obviously have to be blessed with independent wealth in order to succeed. This is why in the next verse we hear about the fertile fields of the tribe of Asher, which would supply also the needs of the neighbouring tribe of Gad. The soldiers’ physical needs would be supplied by that tribe, i.e. he would supply the King’s needs, the King having to pay the soldiers” (translated on Sefaria).
This is chizuk. This is what we have seen across our great nation. Thousands of men and women who have joined the tribe of Asher, who have raised funds and sent supplies and cooked feasts for those who have marched out to fight.
The world right now seems chaotic and confused. Certainly, it feels as if its moral compass has disintegrated. And yet here we stand, Am Yisrael, with each of us filling the roles necessary to keep our people strong.
May we see a resolution to this situation in our favor, and may Moshiach come soon in the right time. Shabbat Shalom
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