Yaakov, who is on his deathbed, calls together his 12 sons to relay his final message to them before his descendants enter the Egyptian exile. Part of this final message is the blessings of the 12 tribes. Yaakov rebukes some of his sons, telling them where their flaws lie, but he also incorporates some positive aspect of that child’s nature. As the pasuk tells us, “this is what their father spoke to them and blessed them; each man, according to his blessing, he blessed them” (49:28). The pasuk first says that he spoke to them and then says that he blessed them. Why doesn’t it just say that he blessed them? It is my understanding that the pasuk is coming to teach us the importance of mentioning a person’s flaws before praising them.

Everyone has great potential to achieve their goals and accomplish something great in their lifetime. However, a person may see where their strengths lie, which could be a good thing, but also be a negative trait, as they will not be able to see where they must improve to have an even better chance at achieving their goals. Yaakov is teaching us that no one is a wholesome individual but needs some improvement. Without this improvement, one will not be able to overcome the challenges that life has in store for us. In order to prepare his children and their descendants for the exile to come, Yaakov told to remain united and utilize their fellow tribes’ capabilities to support each other and endure the exile and all that came with it. Therefore, a person must first hear what areas they need to improve. Once they work on themselves and become wholesome can they receive the full blessing and praise that life has to offer.

Shabbat Shalom,

Sam Hodara