Yaakov Aveinu blessed each one of his children with a message that encapsulated their personal potential and mission in life. In his unique way and style Rabbeinu Bechaya shares many interesting ideas the twelve sons of Yaakov. This essay will focus on the blessings of Yehuda. Why, asks Rabbeinu Bechaya does Yehuda’s blessings contain every single letter of the Hebrew Alphabet except for the letter zayin?
Yehuda was the king of the tribes and he was the great-grandfather of King David, King Solomon and the future Messiah who will emanate from him. One of the most important lessons of the Jewish king is that of humility and connection to Hashem. The king’s job was not one of ego and personal indulgence. Rather, it was to be an example of sterling character, scholarship and service of God. The king was meant to inspire the people to work on themselves, to give charity and to be the greatest that they were able to be.
In the times of antiquity the king was the leader of the nation who led them in war and in conquest. The greatest warriors of the Egyptian dynasty became the leaders of the nation. We even find reference to this in Shemos, which we recite every morning in ‘az yashir’. Pharaoh led his nation to war against the Jews who had escaped. Yehuda, however, was a different type of king. He was endowed with strength, but it was not for personal advancement. It was for the purpose of bringing the nation closer to Hashem. Yehuda needed to show the nation that he did not rely on his own power and strength, but rather Hashem was the One Who fought and won their wars. King David repeated this theme and spread the fear of Heaven throughout the nation. This is why there is no zayin in the blessing of Yehuda. Rabbeinu Bechaya explains that zayin translates in Hebrew as sword, something that Yehuda and his descendants did not boast or take credit for.
Focus of the Week
Additionally, Rabbeinu Bechaya explains that Yehuda was the seventh person to make up the Jewish nation beginning with Avraham Aveinu: Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaakov, Reuven, Shimon, Levi, Yehuda. The number seven refers to the seventh day of the week, the holy Shabbos. This is the day of Hashem upon which we rest and give credit to Him for creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh. Thus, again we see the theme of Yehuda is that of bringing out the authority of Hashem. The verses of his blessing hint to the sacred themes of Shabbos such as kiddush, wine, special clothing and havdalah. Yehuda’s very name has the Ineffable Name of God in its very letters. Shabbos and Yehuda thus represent the recognition of God’s authority over the world. The true strength and greatness of Yehuda was his connection and focus on Hashem.