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The Sfas Emes on Vayechi
(from Sfat Emes on the Torah)
The Humble Lion
The blessing of Yehuda includes the following verse: Yehuda crouches down and lies like a lion (Bereishit 49:9). What is the greatness of lying down like a lion? Since the Jewish people are referred to as “Yehudim,” (for example, in Megillat Esther), our explanation applies to the whole Jewish people.
The Chidushei HaRim, the grandfather of the Sfat Emet, explains. Even in a lowly position, Yehuda remains a lion. Even when Yehuda was exposed and shamed, like in the Tamar episode, he courageously admitted his mistake and Tamar’s innocence, rising up like a lion. This ability to retain moral power, even in difficult situations, is the seed from which the Mashiach grows.
This trait, explains the Sfat Emet himself, is rooted in Yehuda’s humility. Despite his greatness, he does not have a bloated self-image. It follows that even when he does fall, Hashem’s presence remains with him. In fact, the name Yehuda in Hebrew contains the four letters of the Divine Name, with the letter dalet in the middle, symbolizing “dal,” lowly.
This is alluded to in a slightly different expression used in Bilam’s blessings. Yaakov’s blessing says that Yehuda crouches down and springs up – “kara ravatz,” referring to his ability to rise up when lowly. The blessings of Parshat Balak (Bemidbar 24:9) say that Israel lies down like a lion – “kara shakhav,” referring to his ability to remain humble when successful.
The two expressions point to Yehuda’s and the Yehudim’s two complementary qualities; to retain our moral strength when we are down (spring up), and to remain humble when riding high (lie down). Both humility and moral strength have a common source, though, an accurate self-image. This clarity about who we are allows us to always remember our strength, but never to forget its source, G-d, whose Name is written into ours.
[prepared by Eliezer Kwass]