Moses' Blessing

Notable Sources

All Sources

Moses' Farewell Blessing

TANAKH

Moses, as God's chosen leader, delivers a powerful and heartfelt blessing to the Israelites before his death. In the final chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses offers a farewell blessing to each of the tribes of Israel, emphasizing his role as a prophet and leader.

This is the blessing with which Moses, God’s agent, bade the Israelites farewell before he died.

Deuteronomy 33:1

Moses' Final Blessing

MIDRASH

Moses' final blessing to Israel is a unique moment where he defies the Angel of Death, showcasing his unparalleled relationship with God. Midrash Tanchuma, a collection of midrash, offers a dramatic narrative of Moses' last moments, emphasizing his role as a leader and prophet.

(Deut. 33:1:) BEFORE HIS DEATH. Would it cross your mind that he blessed Israel after he died?: Then what is the meaning of BEFORE HIS DEATH? Before the Angel of Death. When the Holy One said to him (in Deut. 32:49-50) ASCEND <THIS MOUNTAIN OF THE ABARIM>…; AND YOU SHALL DIE ON THIS MOUNTAIN. The Angel of Death thought that the Holy One had already given him authority over Moses' life. He came and stood directly above him. Moses said to him: The Holy One has already promised me that he would not deliver me into your hand…

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, V'Zot HaBerachah 2:4

The Sacred Land of Benjamin

TALMUD

The unique sanctity of Benjamin's land portion is highlighted by the fact that the altar was built on a strip of land that issued from Judah's portion into Benjamin's. The Talmudic tractate Megillah discusses the significance of Benjamin's privilege of hosting the Divine Presence, as indicated by Moses' blessing.

And a strip of land issued forth from the portion of Judah and entered into the portion of Benjamin, and upon that strip the altar was built, and the tribe of Benjamin, the righteous, would agonize over it every day desiring to absorb it into its portion, due to its unique sanctity, as it is stated in Moses’ blessing to Benjamin: “He covers it throughout the day, and he dwells between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). The phrase “covers it” is understood to mean that Benjamin is continually focused upon that site…

Megillah 26a:14

The Hidden Blessing of Simeon

COMMENTARY

Simeon is the only tribe not directly blessed by Moses, yet the Sages believe his blessing is hidden within Judah’s. This text explores the allocation of tribal lands in the Torah and the interconnectedness of the tribes, particularly focusing on the unique case of Simeon.

Moses’s “Blessing”
After Jacob’s curse, and the calamitous episode in Shittim, we are fairly unsurprised that Simeon was the one tribe upon whom Moses did not bestow a blessing. The Sages, however, believe that Simeon was alluded to in Judah’s blessing, for the naĥalah of Simeon was buried deep within Judah’s territory:

Tribal Lands, Chapter 3; Shimon 45

Moses' Blessing Through the Ages

TALMUD

Moses' blessing to Benjamin is interpreted as a reference to different historical and future periods, including the First Temple, the Second Temple, and the messianic era. The Talmudic tractate Zevachim includes a fascinating interpretation of Moses' blessing to Benjamin.

The Gemara notes that the dispute between the amora’im with regard to the tribe in which the Tabernacle in Shiloh was located is like a dispute between tanna’im, as it is taught with regard to Moses’ blessing to Benjamin: “He covers him”; this is a reference to the First Temple. “All the day”; this is a reference to the Second Temple. “And He dwells between his shoulders”; this is a reference to the messianic era.

Zevachim 118b:11

The Subterranean Blessing

COMMENTARY

The land of Joseph is uniquely blessed with subterranean irrigation, allowing it to sustain crops even without rain. Radak, a renowned medieval commentator, compares Jacob's blessing of Joseph in Genesis with Moses' blessing in Deuteronomy, highlighting the exceptional nature of Joseph's land.

ברכות תהום רובצת תחת. The subterranean blessing from below. Moses uses similar words when he blesses the tribe of Joseph in Deuteronomy 33,13 saying: מברכת ה' ארצו ממגד שמים מטל ומתהום רובצת תחת. He only reversed the order in which he recited these blessings. He says of the water which reposes in the belly of the earth that it is perceived as lying down, as if in preparation for the time when it is expected to rise and to irrigate the crops. Alternately, it awaits man to draw it to perform irrigation. A third possibility would be that irrigation will be performed by the rain from heaven…

Radak on Genesis 49:25:3

The Power of Repentance and Divine Reward

KABBALAH

Reuben's repentance and Moses' prayer highlight the divine reward for those who sincerely repent. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, delves into the esoteric aspects of the Torah, including the story of Reuben and Joseph.

Reuben’s attempt to save Joseph’s life was all the more disinterested, because he knew that the birthright had been taken away from him and given to Joseph, for we thus find that Moses intercedcd on his behalf, praying: “Let Reuben live, and not die” (Deut. 33, 6), i.e., let him live in this world and not die in the world to come; and this prayer was prompted by this action of Reuben and also by his repentance for that other action. For whoever repents of his sin, God preserves in this world and in the world to come.

Zohar, Vayeshev 13:139

Moses' Vision for Prophetic Enlightenment

COMMENTARY

Moses wished for all of God's people to be prophets, showing his desire for widespread spiritual enlightenment. In the Tur HaArokh, Jacob ben Asher explores Moses' wish for the entire people to receive divine inspiration directly from Hashem.

ומי יתן כל עם ה' נביאים כי יתן ה' את רוחו עליהם", “Would that the entire people of Hashem were prophets! If Hashem would only place His spirit upon them!” Moses wished that G’d were to inspire the people with prophetic spirit without having recourse to his own spirit from which such Holy Spirit would be diverted “second hand,” so to speak. He expressed the wish that the entire people be so endowed. Judging from the writings on the subject by our sages, it was an old established custom in Israel that no one would make prophetic announcements regarding future events while…

Tur HaArokh, Numbers 11:29:1

The Beloved Tribe and the Temple

TALMUD

The tribe of Benjamin is uniquely connected to the Temple, where the Jewish people achieve atonement. The Talmudic tractate Menachot discusses the special relationship between Benjamin, the Temple, and the Jewish people, referencing Deuteronomy 33:12 and Jeremiah 12:7.

In the portion of yadid; this yadid is the tribe of Benjamin, in whose territory the Temple was built, as it is stated that Moses blessed Benjamin in the following terms: “Of Benjamin he said: The beloved [yedid] of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him” (Deuteronomy 33:12). And let yedidim achieve atonement through it; these yedidim are the Jewish people, as it is written with regard to them: “I have given the dearly beloved [yedidut] of My soul into the hand of her enemies” (Jeremiah 12:7).

Menachot 53b:2

The Unique Blessings of Moses

COMMENTARY

Moses' blessings to each tribe are uniquely tailored, with Zevulun's blessing addressing their specific needs for safety and confidence in maritime trade. Chizkuni, a 13th-century Torah commentary, provides detailed insights into Moses' blessings in Deuteronomy, contrasting them with Jacob's blessings in Genesis.

בצאתך, “when you are setting out;” Moses blesses each tribe according to what he foresees will be its special needs. Zevulun as a seafarer, who derives his livelihood from maritime trade, will require a special blessing to keep his ships safe when they are on the high seas, so that his merchandise will not be lost at sea. Compare Yaakov’s blessing for him in Genesis 49,13, where reference is made to the beaches of the sea in connection with him. Moses blesses him in wishing him that instead of being fearful when setting out on each voyage, he should be joyful, confident of G-d’s help.

Chizkuni, Deuteronomy 33:18:2

The Link Between Reuben and Judah

TALMUD

The juxtaposition of the blessings of Reuben and Judah in Moses' final words to the tribes reveals a deeper connection between these two tribes. Rabba bar Mari's explanation in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, highlights the significance of the conjunction 'and' that links the blessings of Reuben and Judah in Deuteronomy 33:6-7.

Rabba bar Mari said to him: His name was repeated for his own matter, as Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan said: What is the meaning of that which is written concerning Reuben and Judah in Moses’ blessing of the tribes at the end of his life: “Let Reuben live and not die in that his men become few” (Deuteronomy 33:6), and immediately afterward in the following verse it states: “And this for Judah, and he said: Hear Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him in unto his people…

Bava Kamma 92a:21

The Majestic Conclusion of Deuteronomy

COMMENTARY

The literary structure and editorial choices in Deuteronomy, particularly the inclusion of two poems, underscore the majestic nature of the Torah. Everett Fox’s essays on the Five Books of Moses explore the themes, structures, and characters of the Torah, capturing the experience of reading the Tanakh in the original Hebrew.

There are literary considerations as well. A number of biblical books or large units end with poetry (Genesis, the Deliverance Narratives of Exodus, the biography of King David in Samuel-Kings) and the editors of Deuteronomy have made use of the same device. As if to emphasize the majestic nature of the five books, not one but two poems make their appearance: the Song of Moshe, which serves as a final, memorable warning to the Israelites (and which, along with the laws, they are also supposed to remember), and his blessing, which makes use of the form that Yaakov used at the end of Genesis.

The Five Books of Moses, by Everett Fox, Deuteronomy, Part V; Final Matters 3

The Covenant of Deuteronomy

COMMENTARY

The entire book of Deuteronomy, apart from Moses’ song and blessing of the tribes, is a monumental covenant. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores the profound significance of Moses' final speeches and blessings in Deuteronomy, emphasizing their role in the covenant between God and Israel.

In other words, apart from Moses’ song and blessing of the tribes, with which the book and Moses’ life come to an end, the entire book of Deuteronomy is a covenant on a monumental scale.

Covenant and Conversation; Deuteronomy; Renewal of the Sinai Covenant, Deuteronomy; Covenant Society 66

Judah's Divine Support

TARGUM

Moses' blessing to the tribe of Judah emphasizes divine support and protection in battle. The Targum Jerusalem, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, provides insight into Moses' final blessings to the tribes of Israel.

And this is the benediction with which Mosheh the prophet blessed the tribe of Jehudah, and he said: May the Word of the Lord hearken to the prayer of Jehudah, and bring him back to his people from battle. May his hand avenge him upon his enemies, and be Thou a help and a support against his foes.

Targum Jerusalem, Deuteronomy 33:7

Guardians of God's Covenant

SECOND TEMPLE

The tribe of Levi was entrusted with the sacred duty of guarding God's oracles and covenant, and teaching God's laws to the people of Israel. Philo of Alexandria, a first-century Jewish philosopher, elaborates on Moses' blessings to the tribe of Levi in Deuteronomy 33:9-10, emphasizing their unique role and responsibilities.

[67] This is the reason why Moses, in the blessings which he pronounces on Levi, crowns many marvellous eulogies by saying “he guarded Thine oracles, and Thy covenant did he diligently keep”; then immediately afterwards “they shall expound Thy judgements to Jacob and Thy law to Israel” (Deut. 33:9 f.).

That the Worse is wont to Attack the Better 19:5

The Power of a Generous Blessing

MUSAR

Bestowing blessings with a generous heart and acknowledging God as the source of all good fortune can bring blessings to both the giver and the recipient. In his 17th-century work, Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz emphasizes the importance of blessings and gratitude, reflecting core Jewish values.

The very fact that Moses uses this whole portion to bless the Jewish people according to their tribes teaches that bestowing a blessing is a great מצוה. We find the following comment by the Zohar (Sullam edition Bamidbar page 3) on this subject at the beginning of the Book of Numbers. "A person who praises the good qualities of a friend or neighbor, his sons or his wealth, should pronounce a blessing to express his thanks for the beneficence bestowed upon such a person. Whence do we know this? We know this from Moses…

Shenei Luchot HaBerit, Torah Shebikhtav, V'Zot HaBerachah, Ner Mitzvah 2

Relatedראו גם

Blessing of the Jewish People

Moses and Israel

Blessings

Moses

Sheetsדפי מקורות

Related Sheets