Tribes Of Israel

In the Torah portion of Vayechi – which closes the book of Genesis – we read how Jacob blesses his children, the twelve tribes, in his last days. In these blessings lie many secrets foretelling events to come. As the verse tells us: And Jacob called to his sons, and said: "Gather together, that I may tell you what will happen with you in the end of days."

As a blueprint for life, these blessings have much to teach us.

As a blueprint for life, these blessings have much to teach us. Each of the twelve tribes reflects a unique path in life. As the verse tells us at the conclusion of the blessings: All these are the twelve tribes of Israel... every one according to his blessing he blessed them. (Gen. 49:28) What is the meaning of the words "every one according to his blessing?"

"Blessing" in Hebrew also means to ‘draw down’ (in Hebrew, ‘hamshocho’, from the root ‘mavrich’). Every one of the tribes has his particular journey, his specific energy which he must manifest in this world. Indeed, our Sages teach that the Re[e]d sea split into twelve paths, providing a separate path for each of the twelve tribes.

To understand these twelve paths we must study the different ways that the tribes are described in the Torah. We find three descriptions for the tribes. First, when they are named by their mothers, (Gen. 29-30; 35:18) each child/tribe is given a name with a particular meaning for a specific reason. Second, when Jacob blesses them before he passes away. (Gen. 3-28) And finally, when Moses blesses them at the end of the Torah. (Deut. 33:6-25)

In addition the tribes are named and specified many times in the Torah – when they enter Egypt, when they leave Egypt, during their 40 year journey through the Sinai wilderness they travel and camp as tribes, their Temple dedication offerings are repeated twelve times (though they brought the same offerings) to emphasize the twelve unique paths.

Here is one of many applications of these twelve paths, based primarily on Yaakov’s blessings.

Reuben – The First Simeon – The Aggressor Levi – The Cleric Judah – The Leader Dan – The Judge Naphtali – The Free Spirit Gad – The Warrior Asher – The Prosperous One Issachar – The Scholar Zebulun – The Businessperson Joseph – The Sufferer Menashe – Reconnection Ephraim – Transformation Benjamin – The Ravenous Consumer

...harnessed properly, the ‘bechor’/Reuven energy can change worlds...

Reuben – the first-born (‘bechor’) – represents the powerful energy of everything that comes first. The first fruit, the first moments of the day, the beginning of every creation – has enormous amount of energy. "Unstable like water,’ this power can go either way: If harnessed properly, the ‘bechor’/Reuven energy can change worlds; if abused it can destroy. Like water, it can be the source of life, but if left unchanneled, it erodes its environment and can flood its surroundings.

Simeon is aggressive gevura – the antithesis of Reuven’s chesed/water. The fierce anger and cruel wrath that can result from unbridled gevura must be eliminated lest it turns into weapons of violence that consume the person and all those he comes in contact with. [The lesson of this today is self understood].

Levi is the tribe chosen to serve in the Temple. "Levi" also means ‘attached’ or ‘joined’. Levi is the personality of dedicating your life to serving a higher calling. Of freeing yourself from your bounds to material survival and attaching yourself to Divine service (see Rambam, end of Hilchot Shemittah v’Yovel).

Judah means acknowledgement (‘hoda'ah,’ as in ‘modeh ani’). Judah’s name also includes the four letters of the Divine name Havaya. Judah is the leader; his descendants would be the kings of Israel, beginning with King David and concluding with Mashiach. Judah is the path of selflessness (‘bittul’) – the most vital ingredient in true leadership.

Dan is the path of law and order (‘dan’ means to judge). Objective justice is the heart of any civilization.

Naphtali is the free spirit personality. Like a ‘deer running free’ – breaking out of the status quo – independence is a necessary component in growth. Yet, this free spiritedness must always take care to ‘deliver words of beauty.’

Gad is the warrior archetype. Expanding on the justice of Dan, Gad is ready to fight for his beliefs. The warrior is necessary to both defend our cherished values and to protect our freedoms.

Asher is both prosperity and pleasure. Asher is the dimension of blessing beyond the norm – to be given more than what is necessary for survival. Asher is the personality of not just getting what you need, but also enjoying it.

Issachar is the scholar. Scholarship provides wisdom, clarity and direction. It is the foundation of any system. Issachar is the dedication to immerse in study and education.

Zebulun is the merchant, the businessperson personality. His role is to enter the marketplace and redeem the Divine sparks within the material world (the ‘secret treasure hidden in the sand’ (Deuteronomy 33:19)). Zebulun complements Issachar; they forge a partnership: Zebulun supports the scholar, he funds houses of scholarship, which earns him a right to partake in the reward of Issachar’s studies.

Joseph is the element of suffering in life.

Joseph is the element of suffering in life. Yet, he not only survives; he thrives. He achieves greatness through his challenges. He overcomes all adversaries and becomes a great leader, saving his entire generation. Despite his corrupt environment, he maintains his spiritual integrity. The powerful light that emerges from darkness in Joseph divides into two dimensions – his two sons: Menashe and Ephraim:

Menashe represents the ability to not succumb to the powers of the Egypt/‘mitzraim -constraints’ that want to make you forget your spiritual roots. To remain connected regardless of the challenges.

Ephraim takes it even further. It is not enough to just survive in an alien environment, but to thrive – to ‘be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ Ephraim is the power to transform the difficulties into Divine power.

Benjamin is hungry, hungry for the Divine sparks in all of existence. So, like a ‘ravenous wolf’ Benjamin recognizes that his mission is to passionately seek out the Divine energy embedded in matter, devour it, consume and elevate it.

Twelve tribes. Twelve paths. All necessary to reach our destination.

Which personality are you? What part do you need to develop?

May we discover our path and live up to it. And may that help us reach the time — at the end of days - when we will gain clarity as to who belongs to what tribe. (See Rambam, Laws of Kings 12:3) Perhaps the significance of this revelation is the crystallization that will come in the time when the 'world will be filled with Divine knowledge as the waters cover the sea.'

Hidden Message in the Names of the 12 Tribes

Posted on 07/31/2012 by Natan Lawrence

Genesis 29:32–30:24, The Scriptures record that the gospel was preached not only to the first century believers, but to ancient Israel (Heb 4:2), as well the Patriarchs (Gal 3:8). Here is another example of this in the meanings of the names of the twelve sons of Jacob. They are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin (who was not born until Gen 35:18). Translated their names mean:

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Reuben/“See, a Son,” (this points to Yeshua).

Simeon/“Hearing” (hear the Son or gospel/good news).

Levi/“Joined” (referring to the union by which the Set-Apart Spirit makes us one with the Son through the hearing of the gospel).

Judah/“Praise” (the response of the redeemed upon being joined to Yeshua and becoming regenerated spiritually or born from above).

Dan/“Judgment” (the believer, though worthy of judgment for his sin, has passed from judgment to life through the atoning blood of Yeshua.Naphtali/“Wrestling” (this speaks of the believer’s life as he struggles against the world, flesh and the devil endeavoring to walk righteously).

Gad/“Troop, Company” (this speaks of the fellowship of believers in the household of faith), the result of fellowship is Asher/“Happiness.”Issachar/“Hire” (once a part of the spiritual body of believers, one is equipped for works of service in advancing the kingdom of Elohim as a bondservant).

Zebulun/“Dwelling, Exalt, Honor” (we are to occupy until Yeshua comes again while we honor and exalt him before the Gentiles.Joseph/“Adding” (can refer to adding to the body of believers in Yeshua through outreach or to rewards in YHVH’s eternal kingdom for a job well done laboring in YHVH’s spiritual field).

Benjamin/“Son of My Right Hand” (a reference to Yeshua who sits at the right hand of YHVH and to believers who are seated with Yeshua in heavenly places, by faith).

Or another way to look at it is this:

Judah means “Now I will praise YHVH.” (Gen 29:35)

Reuben means “Surely YHVH has looked upon my affliction.” (Gen 29:32)

Gad means “What good fortune.” (Gen 30:11)

Asher means “Happy am I.” (Gen 30:13)

Naphtali means With great wrestlings have I wrestled.” (Gen 30:8)

Manasseh means “For Elohim [said he], ‘has made me foreget all my toil.’” (Gen 41:51)

Simeon means “ Because YHVH has heard that I was hated.” (Gen 29:33)

Levi means “ Now this time will my husband be joined to me.” (Gen 29:34)

Issachar means “Elohim has given me my wages.” (Gen 30:18)

Zebulon means “Elohim has endowed me with a good gift, now my husband will dwell with me.” (Gen 30:20)Joseph means “YHVH shall add to me.” (Gen 30:24)

Benjamin means “You shall have this son. (Gen 35:17–18)

Combined the names tell the following story: Now will I praise YHVH. Surely YHVH has looked upon my affliction. What good fortune. Happy am I. With great wrestlings have I wrestled and I have prevailed. For Elohim has made me forget all my toil because YHVH has heard that I was hated. Now this time will my husband be joined unto me. Elohim has given me my wages. Elohim has endowed me with a good gift. Now my husband will dwell with me. YHVH shall add to me. You shall have this son.

It starts with Yeshua and ends with him. He is the Aleph and the Tav (or the Alpha and Omega), the Beginning and the End, the Author and Finisher of our faith! Give him glory! Pause and reflect on these names. Is it possible that the mind of man could have cleverly contrived these names and their order about 1800 years before the birth of Yeshua?