5786/2026
In this week’s Parashah, Yaakov Avinu is giving his final Berachot to his children. However, there seems to be something off about it. After blessing Dan and before blessing Naftali, Yaakov says:
“LeYeshuatchah Kiviti Hashem,” “For Your salvation I hope, Hashem” (BeReishit 49:18). This does not seem to be part of the Dan’s or Naftali’s Brachah. Aside from the first three Berachot, Yaakov does not mention himself, but in this he mentions his quest for salvation and, oddly enough, this is the only time Hashem is mentioned in the Berachot. So what is it at this point that caused Yaakov to mention the salvation of Hashem?
There are two main approaches. Rashi states that the Brachah refers to Dan. Specifically to a son of Dan, Shimshon, who will make his mark on Jewish history. Rashbam states that the message is for the entire Shevet of Dan who travelled at the back of the camp. Travelling at the back, Dan was the most vulnerable to attack and Yaakov was giving him a Brachah of protection. Others understand that it is not about Dan, but it is about Gad. Yaakov is foreshadowing a conversation between Shevet Gad and Moshe, where they will ask Moshe to remain on the other side of the Yarden. In their request, Hashem’s name is not mentioned but Moshe's response contains Hashem’s name six times!
Yaakov is telling Gad that he can never accomplish anything without Hashem and he is reminding him that Hashem is involved in everything. Perhaps Yaakov says this in between these two Berachot to emphasize that these two Shevatim will be the Shevatim that are loneliest and need Hashem the most. When we feel lonely it is then that we must remind ourselves that Hashem is always with us.
In last week’s Parashah, Paroh asks Yosef what the occupation of the Jews is. Knowing that Paroh does not like shepherds, Yosef responds that they are shepherds. Why would Yosef do something like that when he knows Paroh hates shepherds?!
Yosef does so in order to maintain distance from the Mitzrim. Had we joined them and lived next to them, and not lived in Goshen, we would have assimilated into their culture and become like them. Yosef responds this way so that we can continue to serve Hashem under our religion and not fall into Avodah Zarah with the Mitzrim.
We don’t necessarily need to live in complete isolation away from all Goyim, but we need to recognize that there is a difference between us and them. This may cause us to feel lonely and isolated, and it is at those times that it is so easy to forget Hashem is with us. However, this is the whole point of Moshe’s response to Shevet Gad! At times you will feel lonely, but it is at those times that you must recognize you are never truly alone.