Zevulun

Zevulun was the tenth son of Jacob and the sixth with his wife Leah. He was the founder of the Tribe of Zevulun.

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The Economic Wealth of Zebulun

COMMENTARY

Zebulun's territory held unique commercial and economic advantages, particularly valuable marine resources like the Tarith fish, Chalazon for purple dye, and glass hidden in the sand and sea. Rashi, the renowned medieval French rabbi, provides insights into the economic resources of the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, highlighting their unique contributions to the Israelite community.

ושפני טמוני חול means, covered things that are hidden in the sand — the Tarith (a kind of fish; Rashi in his comment on the Talmudical passage afterwards quoted states that it is the tuna fish), the Chalazon (from which purple dye was obtained) and while glass (all valuable articles of commerce) which come out of the sea and the sand. This was in the territory of Issachar and Zebulun, as it is stated in Treatise Megillah 6a: The Scriptural text (Judges 5:18) is to be explained as follows: “Zebulun was a people that cursed his soul even unto death” because that “Naphtali was on the high places…

Rashi on Deuteronomy 33:19:4

The Joyful Partnership of Zebulun and Issachar

TANAKH

The Torah portrays a partnership between Zebulun and Issachar. In Deuteronomy, Moses blesses the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar, highlighting each tribe's virtue.

And of Zebulun he said:
Rejoice, O Zebulun, on your journeys,
And Issachar, in your tents.

Deuteronomy 33:18

Zevulun's Role in Spreading Faith

COMMENTARY

Tribal Lands, a 21st-century book presents a midrash to explore how the tribe of Zevulun, through trade and cultural exchange, led to the admiration and conversion of foreign merchants to Judaism.

People will call to the mountain: Through the commerce of Zebulun, the merchants of the nations of the world arrived at his coast. They said, “Since we’ve gone to the trouble to get here, let us go to Jerusalem and see this nation’s Deity and practices.” When they saw there all of Israel worshipping the same God and eating the same food…they said, “There is no nation as proper as this one” – and they converted then and there, as it says, “There they will slaughter offerings of righteousness.”

Tribal Lands, Chapter 7; Zevulun 44

The Hidden Value of Zevulun's Land

TALMUD

Zevulun's territory, though seemingly less fertile, is indispensable due to the ḥilazon, essential for the dye in tzitzit. The Talmud in Tractate Megillah recounts Zevulun's complaint to God and God's response, highlighting the unique value of his land.

The verse should be interpreted as follows: Zebulun said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe! To my brothers, the tribes whose territory is adjacent to mine, You gave fields and vineyards, whereas to me You gave mountains and hills; to my brothers You gave lands, whereas to me You gave seas and rivers. God said back to him: Nevertheless, all will need you due to the ḥilazon, the small sea creature residing in your territory that is the source of the dye used in the ritual fringes [tzitzit]…

Megillah 6a:7

Jonah's Tribal Ties

MIDRASH

The prophet Jonah is uniquely connected to both the tribes of Zebulun and Asher, with significant ties to the city of Sidon. The early medieval midrash, Bereshit Rabbah, offers a detailed exploration of Jonah's lineage and geographical connections.

“Zebulun will dwell at the shore of seas, and he will be a shore for ships, and his border will be upon Sidon” (Genesis 49:13).
“Zebulun will dwell at the shore of seas” – Rabbi Yehuda bar Naḥman and Rabbi Levi would receive two sela each Shabbat to gather Rabbi Yoḥanan’s congregation. Rabbi Levi entered and said: That Jonah was from Zebulun; that is what is written: “The third lot arose [for the children of Zebulun].… from there it passed eastward [to Gat Ḥefer]” (Joshua 19:10, 13)…

Bereshit Rabbah 98:11

Zevulun's Maritime Legacy

COMMENTARY

Zevulun's maritime commerce brought rare and valuable items to the Jewish people, significantly contributing to their economy and religious practices. Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno, a 16th-century Italian scholar, provides a detailed commentary on the tribe of Zevulun's economic contributions and unique resources.

והוא לחוף אניות, he will travel beyond the borders of his own land with ships carrying and bringing all kinds of wares. Part of these rare wares are the chalazon, the worm needed to provide the blue colour for the tzitzit, fragrances needed for the daily incense offerings. Many of these, as well as the silicon from which to make glass, were found on his shores and he would export such items. Deuteronomy 33,19 describes the members of the tribe of Zevulun as harvesting the bounty of the sea and the hidden hoards of the sand.”

Sforno on Genesis 49:13:2

Zebulun's Hidden Wealth

COMMENTARY

Zebulun's wealth will be so abundant that they will hide it in the sand, and this prosperity will lead them to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. Ibn Ezra, a prominent medieval Jewish commentator, provides a unique interpretation of the blessings given to the tribes of Israel by Moses in Deuteronomy.

AND THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE SAND. The word sefune (hidden) has no brother. It has the same meaning as temune (treasures). Similarly admat afar (dust). The meaning of the hidden treasures of the sand is that Zebulun will have so much wealth that they [the tribe] will hide it in the sand. And because of their wealth, they will come in a multitude to the mountain of God to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord.

Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 33:19:2

Blessings of Zevulun and Issachar

COMMENTARY

The Haamek Sheilah commentary delves into the blessings given by Moses to the tribes of Zevulun and Issachar, emphasizing their distinct yet complementary roles.

This is also the intent of Moshe’s blessing to Zevulun: “Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions” (to wage battle in the fields) “and Issachar in your tents” (within encampments, in which they are engrossed in the Torah). “The tribes will assemble at the mountain” (for battle, and whoever is standing on the mountain is near victory, as is known from many sources); “there they will slaughter offerings of righteousness,” (as they bring a thanksgiving offering for their victory); “for by the riches of the sea they will be nourished” (from their enemies who reached them by sea…

Haamek Sheilah on Sheiltot d'Rav Achai Gaon, Kidmat HaEmek, Part III 11:6

The Blessings of Zevulun

MUSAR

According to Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, Zevulun is blessed first because he supported Yissachar, highlighting the immense value and dual rewards of supporting Torah study. The ethical work, Shemirat HaLashon, emphasizes the partnership between Zevulun and Yissachar, where financial support for Torah study brings blessings in both this world and the next.

"Why does Zevulun always precede Yissachar in the blessings? Is Yissacher's occupation not in Torah, which takes precedence in all instances? Why, then, does Zevulun take precedence in the blessings? His father placed him first and Moses placed him first. But Zevulun merits this because he took bread from his own mouth and placed it in the mouth of Yissachar, wherefore he was placed first in the blessings. From here we learn that one who supports a Torah scholar receives blessings from above and from below. And, what is more, he merits 'two tables,' which others do not merit…

Shemirat HaLashon, Book I, The Gate of Torah 5:6

Zevulun's Joy

CHASIDUT

The relationship between Zevulun and Yissachar is a model of joy and divine service, transforming sorrow into complete joy. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s teachings in Likutei Moharan explore the spiritual partnership between these two tribes, emphasizing the joy in serving God.

This is why it is said of Zevulun, who was beloved to Yissachar (Deuteronomy 33:18), “Zevulun, rejoice.” “Rejoice” is the reverse of “with great sorrow”—“the fullness of joys in Your countenance.”

Likutei Moharan 23:3:4

Zevulun the Broker

MIDRASH

Zevulun played a crucial role in the economic life of ancient Israel by engaging in commerce and trade. The Sifrei Devarim, a midrashic commentary on Deuteronomy, highlights Zevulun's role as a broker, trading goods between his brothers and the Canaanites.

"Rejoice Zevulun in your going forth": For Zevulun was a broker, and he would take of his brothers and sell them to the Canaanites; and from the Cananites, and sell them to his brothers.

Sifrei Devarim 354:2

Guardian of Israel's Shores

TARGUM

Zevulun's role in ancient Israel was pivotal due to his strategic settlement on seashores, serving as a harbor for ships and extending his influence to Sidon. The Aramaic translation and interpretation of Genesis 49:13 in Targum Onkelos provides insight into Jacob's blessings and the future roles of the tribes of Israel.

Zevulun will settle on seashores, he will be a harbor for ships [conquer the borders with ships]; [he will consume the best of the sea] his border will reach to Sidon.

Onkelos Genesis 49:13

The Spiritual Merit of Zevulun

COMMENTARY

Even though Zevulun is preoccupied with commerce and does not spend his time in the tent of Torah, he qualifies for the presence of the Shechinah no less than Issachar, his partner. Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, in his 18th-century commentary, Ohr HaChaim, explores the unique partnership between the tribes of Zevulun and Issachar, highlighting the spiritual rewards of supporting Torah scholars.

באהליך, "in your tents." This is a simile for Issachar. The reason Moses uses this simile is twofold. 1) It denotes the fact that any dwelling in this world is to be considered only a temporary dwelling; our whole terrestrial existence is transient. 2) It describes that the Shechinah forms a "tent" over Zevulun and Issachar. Even though Zevulun is preoccupied with commerce and does not spend his time in the אהל של תורה, the tent of Torah, he qualifies for the presence of the Shechinah no less than Issachar his partner…

Or HaChaim on Deuteronomy 33:18:3

The Unique Position of Zevulun

COMMENTARY

Zevulun is uniquely positioned in Jacob's blessings, reflecting a deeper geographical and tribal significance. Rabbi Jacob ben Asher, in his medieval commentary Tur HaArokh, explores the unusual placement of Zevulun's name in the blessings of Jacob in Genesis.

זבולון, Zevulun is the only one of Yaakov’s sons not mentioned in order of his seniority vis-à-vis his brothers. His name was mentioned ahead of its proper place in order for the name of his brother Yissachar to appear in between his name and that of Dan. The reason is that his ancestral heritage was situated between that of Dan and Yissachar.

Tur HaArokh, Genesis 49:13:1

Leah's Hope for Honor

TANAKH

Leah's personal feelings and aspirations upon the birth of Zevulun highlight her hope that her husband will exalt her for bearing him six sons. In the book of Genesis, Leah names her sixth son Zevulun, expressing her hope that Jacob will now honor her and make his primary residence with her.

Leah said, “God has given me a choice gift; this time my husband will exalt me, for I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Genesis 30:20

Stamp of Israel - Tribes, Inscription on tab: "Zebulun...He shall be a haven for ships" " Genesis 49,13. Israeli postage stamp catalog, Catalog Number: 152, Issued on January 10, 1956, Designer: G. Hamori.