Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Vayechi Chamishi: Yaakov blesses his younger children (Thursday, 12th Teves)

Gad (Verse 19)

Q1: What does “Gad, troops will march forth from him” mean?
It means Gad’s tribe will produce soldiers who cross the Jordan to fight alongside their brothers until the land is conquered.

Q2: What does “they will return on their tracks” mean?
After the battles, Gad’s warriors will return safely to their inheritance east of the Jordan, retracing the same paths.

Asher (Verse 20)

Q3: What blessing did Asher receive?
His land will yield rich food, especially olives, producing oil in abundance like flowing water.

Q4: Why does Rashi mention Ludkia in connection with Asher?
To illustrate the abundance of oil from Asher’s territory, as noted in Menachot regarding oil supply.

Naftali (Verse 21)

Q5: Why is Naftali compared to a “hind set loose”?
Because his land, especially the valley of Ginosar, will produce fruit that ripens quickly, like a swift deer.

Q6: What does “one who offers words of praise” refer to?
It refers to Naftali’s descendants inspiring songs of gratitude, such as Deborah and Barak’s song after the victory over Sisera.

Yosef (Verses 22–26)

Q7: What does “Ben Porat Yosef” mean?
It means “a man of charm” or “a fruitful son,” admired for his beauty and blessed with abundance.

Q8: Why does Rashi say Egyptian girls climbed walls?
To gaze at Yosef’s beauty when he became ruler in Egypt.

Q9: What does “they embittered him and became his adversaries” mean?
His brothers, Potiphar, and his wife caused Yosef suffering, yet he remained steadfast.

Q10: What does “his arms were bedecked with gold” refer to?
To Pharaoh placing the royal ring on Yosef’s hand, elevating him to power.

Q11: What blessings did Yaakov give Yosef?
Blessings of heaven above, depths below, fertility for men and women, surpassing those given to Avraham and Yitzchak.

Q12: What does “to the utmost bounds of the world’s hills” mean?
Yaakov’s blessings extended to the farthest reaches of the earth, greater than those promised to his forefathers.

Q13: Why is Yosef called “the one separated from his brothers”?
Because he was set apart through his trials and rose to greatness, remaining righteous.