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Why did Moshe specify a different berachah for each shevet instead of
giving them all one general berachah? Moshe keenly felt that his lofty
spiritual level was in the merit of Bnei Yisrael. He therefore felt a
tremendous sense of hakarat hatov toward them. He did not suffice with
a general blessing, but blessed each shevet individually, so that everyone
would feel his personal blessing. Moshe felt gratitude toward each and
every one of the shevatim, from whom he gained knowledge. The Torah
recorded Moshe’s berachot as a lesson for future generations about the
wonderful trait of gratitude.
Whoever recognizes the good of his friend will eventually recognize the
good of Hashem, and vice versa. Adam Harishon blamed Chava for his
sin, thereby denying Hashem’s kindness toward him. Similarly, Kayin
murdered Hevel, even though he had demonstrated his recognition of
Hashem’s good by being the first to offer Him a korban. His failing was
that he offered something that was intrinsically forbidden, since it was
kilayim. This was not a fitting offering and demonstrated that, in fact, he
lacked true gratitude to Hashem, Who created the world.
Kayin, likewise, denied Hevel’s kindness in sharing his wheat with his
older brother. This ultimately brought Kayin to kill his brother and deny
Hashem’s sovereignty.
Moshe Rabbeinu had the same neshamah-root as Hevel, who recognized
Hashem’s goodness. He offered the choicest sheep of his flock. Moshe,
too, demonstrated hakarat hatov to even inanimate objects, such as the
Nile and the earth. Yitro, who contained a nitzotz of Kayin, rectified the
latter’s deeds by bringing superior offerings to Hashem.
The berachah to Shevet Shimon is hinted to in the berachah of Yehudah.
Why didn’t Moshe bless Shevet Shimon individually? Wasn’t he
concerned that they would feel a sense of isolation and insult at his
seeming stance of ignorance toward them? And why did Moshe choose to
couch their blessing in that of Yehudah?
Why did Moshe hold the entire Shevet Shimon responsible for Zimri’s
sin? If they themselves didn’t die in the plague, obviously they weren’t
responsible for it.
Moshe did not completely exclude Shevet Shimon; proof being that he
presented them with a Torah Scroll, just like the rest of the shevatim.For
his part, Moshe truly desired to confer blessing upon them. But he was
afraid that the Middat Hadin wouldstepin, as their Nasi had caused a
tremendous plague in Am Yisrael, as well as a war of revenge, which
eventually resulted in Moshe’s death.
Moshe blessed the tribe of Yehudah with the words “Hearken to
Yehudah’s voice.” He asked that the prayers of Shevet Yehudah be heard
on High and not be impeded by the Middat Hadin. The words “And bring
him to his people” indicate that Shevet Shimon was still included in the
Twelve Tribes. The phrase “He became King over Yeshurun” hints to
Shevet Yehudah, who would demonstrate the power of the king in bearing
responsibility for Shevet Shimon, including him in Am Yisrael, without
distinction. For this reason, Moshe included Shevet Shimon in the
blessing of Yehudah.
Parashat Vezot Haberachah, which records Moshe’s death, is intrinsically
connected to parashat Bereishit, describing Creation. The death of the
righteous atones for the inhabitants of this world and allows the world to # 26347-EYAL-6