Friday, October 7, 2011

Yosef & Binyomin

Binyomin was the only tribe of the Jewish people that was born in Eretz Yisrael. He represented the completion of the Jewish people, as he was the twelfth of the twelve tribes. The number twelve always represent the completion, in the physical realm, as there are twelve edges to a three dimensional cube. As the Ramchal explains, Binyomin was the one who would serve to connect the aspect of Yosef and Yehudah, as we see in the story of the brothers, as well as in the persons of Mordechai and Esther.

It is interesting to note that while Binyomin was the only tribe to be born in Eretz Yisroel, Yosef's birth was the impetus for Yacov to return to Eretz Yisrael, as there was no longer a need to fear Esav (as per Rashi on the verse of Yosef's birth). The Ramchal says that Yosef includes Binyomin, as it says "יוסף לי בן אחר" - Rochel's name for Yosef included a prayer for another son, which was Binyomin. Thus, we could say that an aspect of Yosef was included in Binyomin, and vice versa. This would explain Yosef's special love for Eretz Yisroel that earned him the merit of being buried in Shechem, as well as the title עברי, Hebrew (as opposed to Moshe who was referred to as מצרי, Egyptian, and was not buried in Israel).

Yosef classically represents the aspect of Yesod, and it could be said that Binyomin, as the completion of the twelve tribes, also represents the aspect of malchus. These two aspects are always intertwined. This could also explain why the first king of the Jewish people was specifically chosen from the tribe of Binyomin. Binyomin is the aspect of malchus, and he is also the tribe born in Eretz Yisroel. The purpose of the king is to solidify the Jewish people's claim to the land of Israel, and to rid the world of the forces of evil, embodied in the nation of Amalek.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was born in December on the 4th day of Channkah - does that mean anything? Shana Tova, may you be sealed for a good and prosperous year! ;-)

Joe said...

When Yosef looked at Benyamin, he rejoiced in the sight because Benyamin resembled their mother Rachel.
"Have you any children?" Yosef asked Benyamin.
"I do," replied Benyamin.
"How many?" inquired Yosef.
"I have ten," said Benyamin.
"What are their names?" Yosef wanted to know.

Benyamin reply was, " Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Na'aman, Echi, Rosh, Mupim, Chupim, Ard."
Yosef commented ,"Those are strange names!"

"You see," explained Benyamin, "I had a brother from my mother. He was very special, and therefore I named my children in memory of him."

Bela - He was swallowed by strangers, and I do not know where he is.

Becher - He was the first born of our mother.

Ashbel - He was taken captive.

Gera - He lives in a strange land.

Na'aman - His deeds were wonderful.

Echi - He was my brother from both my father and mother.

Rosh - He was my leader and destined to be my brother's leader.

Mupim - He was physically and spiritually beautiful.

Chupim - He was not at my wedding, and I was not at his.

Ard -His face is like a rose. The name also denotes that my father said, "I shall descend to the grave because of his loss."

Yosef left the room to relieve his heart and wept.

Moadim l'Simcha.