twelve tribes

“The Small ‘Stuff’ is not Always Small”

Even the most seemingly “insignificant” Torah verses teach profound lessons.

“The Choshen–the Breastplate of the High Priest”

The twelve precious stones of the Ephod, represented the unique qualities of each of the twelve tribes.

"The Invaluable Legacy of the Ancient Camp of Israel"

The counting of the People of Israel and the establishment of the tribal camps is one of the most important achievements in the long history of Judaism.

"The Scepter Shall Not Depart from Judah"

The commentators are divided over whether Jacob’s statement, that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, was intended as a decree or as a promise.

"Finding Variety in the Seemingly Identical"

Even though, each day, identical gifts were delivered at the dedication ceremony of the Tabernacle by another of the 12 tribal princes, each prince felt the very special individual significance of his own tribe’s gift.

“Good Neighbors and Bad Neighbors”

The commentators explain that there are different ways in which good neighbors and bad neighbors impact upon those who live nearby.

"The Tribe of Dan Traveled Last"

In parashat B'ha'alot'cha we learn that the tribe of Dan served as the "ma'ah'sayf," the rear guard, of all the twelve tribes when they traveled in the wilderness. According to the commentators, the Danites gathered up items lost by other tribes as well as stragglers who fell behind. Nevertheless, despite this promising beginning, the destiny of the tribe of Dan was to become a tribe of idolaters and sinners, who were eventually exiled together with the ten lost tribes. How did the tribe of Dan, with such a noble beginning, have such a sad and ignoble conclusion?