Jerusalem Anthology - Between His Shoulders

Rivah Devarim 33:12 And of Benjamin he said, "The Lord's beloved one shall dwell securely beside Him; He protects him all day long, and He dwells between his shoulders." R’ Tam of Orleans said that the reason the Holy One caused His Presence to dwell in the portion of Benyamin is that all the tribes prostrated themselves to Esau except for Benyamin, because at that time he was not yet born.

Ba’al HaTurim Devarim 33:12 Between his shoulders – This is the numerical equivalent of ‘and in Jerusalem’ (u’b’Yerushalayim)

Midrash Tanaim Devarim 33:12 And of Benjamin he said, "The Lord's beloved…” Happy are you Benyamin that you are called beloved of the Place (makom): There are many that love the king, but the most beloved among them is the one whom the king loves: There are six who are called beloved. The Holy One is called beloved, as it says “I will now sing for my beloved…” (Yeshayahu 5:1): Avraham is called beloved, as it says “What has My beloved to do in My house…” (Yimiyahu 11:15): Israel is called beloved, as it says “…I have delivered My soul's beloved…” (Yirmiyahu 12:7): The Holy Temple is called beloved, as it says “How beloved are Your dwelling places…” (Tehillim 84:2): Shlomo is called beloved, as it says “…and he called his name Yedidiah for the Lord's sake.” (Shmuel II 12:25): Benyamin is called beloved, as it says “And of Benjamin he said, "The Lord's beloved…” (Devarim 33:12): Let the beloved son of the beloved come and build the beloved house for the Beloved in the portion of the beloved: Let Israel who are called beloved, come and build the Holy Temple which is called beloved, for the Holy One who is called Beloved, in the merit of Avraham who is called beloved, at the hands of Shlomo who is called beloved, in the portion of Benyamin who is called beloved: “…shall dwell securely…” (Devarim 33:12) Security only means reliance, as it says “…and you will live in security in your land,” (Vayikra 26:5) and it says “…and they will dwell securely in the desert and grow old in the forests.” (Yechezkel 34:25): “…He protects him…” (Devarim 33:12) in this world: “…all day long…” (ibid.) in eh days of the Messiah: “…and He dwells between his shoulders,” (ibid.) in the world to come.

Midrash Tana’im Devarim 33:12 “…and He dwells between his shoulders.” (Devarim 33:12) There is no spot higher on a man than between his shoulders. So too the Holy Temple is higher than the whole world, as it says “…then you shall rise and go up to the place the Lord, your God, chooses.” (Devarim 17:8): “Rise! Let us go up to Zion…” (Yirmiyahu 31:5): “And many peoples shall go, and they shall say, "Come, let us go up to the Lord's mount…” (Yeshayau 2:3): R’ Shimon says that the Holy Temple that was at Shiloh was in the portion of Yosef, as it says “And He abandoned the Tabernacle of Shiloh…” (Tehillim 78:60) “He rejected the tent of Joseph…” (Tehillim 78:67): “He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.” (Tehillim 78:68): “And He built His Sanctuary like the high heavens…” (Tehillim 78:69): Another explanation. “…He dwells between his shoulders.” (Devarim 33:12) Or this actually means Gad on the east and Dan on the west. Rebbe said ‘regarding all the entire boundary it says that the border ‘went down’ and the ‘border passed along.’ At the end of the boundary it says “And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem…” (Yehoshua 15:8) This comes to teach us that the Chosen House was built in the portion of Benyamin.’: R’ Yehudah says ‘the Holy Temple was in the portion of Yehudah and something like the head of a line stuck out from Yehudah’s portion into that of Benyamin, thus it says “He dwells between his shoulders,” and it says “Behold we heard it in Ephrath…” (Tehillim 132:6): R’ Yehudah says ‘the Holy Temple was in the portion of Yehudah, as its says “…Ephrathites, from Bethlehem of Judah…” (Ruth 1:2): R’ Shimon says ‘in the portion which belongs to the son of the one who died in Ephrata. And who died in Ephrata? Rachel, as it says “As for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died to me in the land of Canaan on the way…” (Bereshit 48:7) Perhaps all the city is in his portion? The verse says “…and He dwells between his shoulders,” the Holy Temple is in his portion and the rest of the city is in the portion of Yehudah. What then do I do with the verse “The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the student of the law from between his feet …” (Bereshit 49:10) The inheritor of laws, this was the Court of Hewn Stones which was located in the portion of Yehudah.

not listed So too you find that when Yehoshua divided the land he took an area five hundred by five hundred cubits from the rich land of Jericho and said ‘let this be for whomever gives land from his portion to build the Holy Temple.’: R’ Shimon said ‘the rich land of Jericho was given to the Keni, the descendants of Moshe’s father-in-law as it says “And the children of Keni, the father-in-law of Moses, went up from the city of date palms…” (Shoftim 1:16) They said ‘once the land is divided among the tribes, which tribe will accept upon itself to give me even a small piece of their land? Rather I will go to my land to eat fruits from my fields and drink wine from my own vineyards. And so we find that they left the fruits of the land of Israel, fruits of food and drink, and went to the wilderness of Arad to be mules fro Ya’abetz. And who is Ya’abetz? Otniel ben Kenaz: And we did the Presence of Gd specifically dwell in the portion of Benyamin? Because all of the tribes were born outside of the land of Israel, while Benyamin was born in the land of Israel. So too, all of the tribes were partners in the sale of Yosef while Benyamin did not participate in the sale of Yosef. Therefore, he merited that the Presence of Gd dwell in his portion, as it says “And of Benjamin he said, ‘The Lord's beloved…’” (Devarim 33:12): Why did the Holy Temple see fit to be in the portion of Benyamin? The Holy One said ‘I am only building the Holy Temple that my children will pray before Me there and I will be filled with mercy upon them. How can I dwell in the portion of these others who were not filled with mercy for their brother?: Another explanation. Why did the Holy Temple see fit to be in the portion of Benyamin? What is the situation similar to? To a king who periodically visits his children. He says to them ‘make a festive meal for me.’ This one says ‘make it in my home,’ another says ‘make it in my home.’ The youngest among them said ‘is it possible that Aba will leave my older brothers and come and dwell with me? So what did he do? He stood to the side with his face fallen and his soul in grief. Therefore, the meal will be from them but the night’s dwelling will be in his portion. Thus said the Holy One to the tribes ‘let the offerings be from you and the Holy Temple in the portion of Benyamin.’: Another explanation. Why did the Holy Temple see fit to be in the portion of Benyamin? What I the situation similar to? To a king who had many sons. Once they grew up, each one went and took his place and the youngest remained to eat and drink and his father relied upon him. When he went out he leaned upon him, and when he came back in. So too our father Yaakov relied upon Benyamin. The Makom (Gd) said ‘in the place (makom) where this righteous one placed his hands (for support) there I will dwell. Thus it says “…and He dwells between his shoulders."

Sifre Devarim V’Zot HaBracha 352 (12) “…He protects him all day long…” (Devarim 33:12) This refers to the First Temple. ‘All day long’ refers to the final Temple. “…and He dwells between his shoulders." (ibid.) Built and enhanced for the time to come. So you find regarding Avraham, who saw it built, saw it destroyed, and then saw it built again as it says “And Abraham named that place, The Lord will see…” (Bereshit 22:14) this means built, “…as it is said to this day: On the mountain, the Lord will be seen.” (ibid.) Behold, built and enhanced for the time to come. So too you find regarding Yitzchak, who saw it built, saw it destroyed, and then saw it built again as it says “Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field…” (Bereshit 27:27) this means destroyed, “…which the Lord has blessed!” (ibid.) Behold, built and enhanced for the time to come as it says “…for there the Lord commanded the blessing, life forever.” (Tehillim 133:3) So too you find regarding Yaakov who saw it built, saw it destroyed, and then saw it built again as it says “And he was frightened, and he said, "How awesome is this place!” (Bereshit 28:17) this means built. “…This is none other…” (ibid.) this means destroyed. “…than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." (ibid.) Behold, built and enhanced for the time to come. “…and He dwells between his shoulders." (Devarim 33:12) Whether it is destroyed or not, and so it says “All the kingdoms of the earth has the Lord God of the heavens delivered to me…” (Divre HaYamim II 36:23) Another explanation. “…and He dwells between his shoulders." Just as an ox has no higher spot than his shoulders, so too the Holy Temple is higher than the whole world. This is what it says “…then you shall rise and go up to the place the Lord, your God, chooses,” (Devarim 17:8) and it says “And many peoples shall go, and they shall say, "Come, let us go up to the Lord's mount…” (Yeshayahu 2:3) It doesn’t say Gad from the east and Dan from the west, but rather many peoples. Rebbe says ‘in regard to all the tribal boundaries it says that the border goes down and the border passed along, and here it says “And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem…” (Yehoshua 15:8) This teaches that the Chosen House is built in the portion of Benyamin. R’ Meir says the Chosen House was built in the portion of Benyamin, and something like the head of a line stuck out from his portion in to that of Yehudah, as its says “…and He dwells between his shoulders." (Devarim 33:12) How do I understand “The scepter shall not depart from Judah…”? This refers to the Court of Hewn stones which was in the portion of Yehudah, as it says “He rejected the tent of Joseph and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.” (Tehillim 78:67-8) But the Great House was built in the portion of Yosef at Shiloh. [R’ Yehudah says ‘the Holy Temple was in the portion of Yehudah] as it says “And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah-you should have been the lowest of the clans of Judah-from you [he] shall emerge for Me…” (Micah 5:1) Ephrathah refers to Bet Lechem, as it says “So Rachel died, and she was buried on the road to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.” (Bereshit 35:19) R’ Meir says ‘in the portion of Benyamin – her son of her death (bana meita) as it says “As for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died to me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still a stretch of land to come to Ephrath…” (Bereshit 48:7) And Ephrathah refers to Bet Lechem, as it says ““And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah…” (Micah 5:1) Perhaps this means in the portion of her son Yosef? The scripture says “Behold we heard it in Ephrath; we found it in the fields of the forest.” (Tehillim 132:6) In the place of the one who in his lifetime was compared to a forest. And who is this? Benyamin, as it says “Benjamin is a wolf, he will prey…” (Bereshit 49:27) Benyamin merited that the Divine Presence should dwell in his portion. So you find that when Yehoshua divided up the land of Israel among the tribes, he left the rich land of Jericho five hundred by five hundred cubits ad gave it to the children of Yonadav ben Rechev. He gave them the portion at the beginning and they ate from it for four hundred and forty years, as it says “And it was in the four hundred and eightieth year after the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt…” (Melachim I 6:1) Subtract from these the forty years that Israel was in the wilderness and you find that they ate from it for four hundred and forty years. When the Divine Presence came to rest in the portion of Benyamin, they got up and moved out before them, as it says “And the children of Keni, the father-in-law of Moses, went up from the city of date palms, with the children of Judah…” (Shoftim 1:16)

Sifre D’Agadata Ester Midrash Panim Acherim 2:1 “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus…” (Ester 1:1) This is what is written “As if a man flees from the lion and the bear meets him…” (Amos 5:19) The lion refers to Bavel, to whom Israel was handed over as it says “The first one was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle…” (Daniel 7:4) ‘and the bear meets him’ This means that they were subjugated by Maday, who are compared to a bear as it says “And behold another second beast, resembling a bear…” (Daniel 7:5) “…and he comes to the house and leans his hand on the wall, and a serpent bites him.” (Amos 5:19) They came to build the Holy Temple and the wicked Haman stood up against them. This is the scribe Shimshai son of Haman and from there ambassadors went down (to Paras) to oppose him. Mordecai went down in order that the Holy Temple be built. Israel said ‘Mordecai is from the tribe of Benyamin, and it is written “The Lord's beloved one shall dwell securely beside Him…”’ (Devarim 33:12) Therefore he went down as the ambassador to oppose Haman. Mordecai went down in order that the Holy Temple be built and Haman went down in order to stop its construction. Thus it is written “And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the dwellers of Judea and Jerusalem.” (Ezra 4:6) Therefore they cried out oy! It was in the days of Ahasuerus. R’ Levi said ‘everywhere that it is written ‘now it came to pass in the days of’ indicates days of trouble. “Now it came to pass in the days of Amraphel…” (Bereshot 14:1) “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges judged…” (Ruth 1:1) “And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz…” (Yeshayahu 7:1) “And he was in the days of Jehoiakim…” (Yirmiyahu 1:3) “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus…” (Ester 1:1)

Midrash Tehillim 68 “In congregations bless God the Lord…” (Tehillim 68:27) This refers to the children. “…from the womb of Israel.” (ibid.) This refers to the fetuses in the wombs of their mothers. This comes to teach us that each one pointed with his finger at the Divine Presence and said “…this is my God, and I will make Him a habitation…” (Shemot 15:2) “There Benjamin the youngest rules over them…” (Tehillim 68:28) R’ Meir says ‘when the tribes stood at the edge of the sea this one said – I will go down first! And this one said – I will go down first! While they were standing there being jealous of one another, the tribe of Benyamin jumped first into the sea, as it says “There Benjamin the youngest rules over them…” Don’t read it as ruled over them (rodam) but rather as went down to the sea (red yam). The princes of Yehudah began to throw stones at them, as it says “…the princes of Judah pelt them with stones…” (ibid.) The Holy One said to them ‘my children! Both of you intended do my command and enhance my glory, so too I will not hold back your reward, as it says “And of Benjamin he said, The Lord's beloved…” (Devarim 33:12) and “Benjamin is a wolf, he will prey…” (Bereshit 49:27) because Benyamin merited that the Divine Presence dwell in his portion. The tribe of Yehudah merited to kingship, as it says “…the princes of Judah pelt them with stones (ragmatam)…” (Tehillim 68:28) meaning that the merited to wear clothes of royal purple (argaman). So too it says “Then Belshazzar ordered, and they attired Daniel with purple…” (Daniel 5:29) “…as do the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naftali.” (Tehillim 68:28) This comes to teach us that just as miracles were done for Israel at the sea at the hands of Yehudah and Benyamin, so too miracles were done for Israel at the hands of Zevulun and Naftali in the days of Devorah and Barak as it says “And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali…” (Shoftim 4:6) “Zebulun is a people that jeopardized their lives to die, as did Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.” (Shoftim 5:18)

Pesikta Zutra Shir HaShirim 4 Another explanation. “Your neck is like the Tower of David…” (Shir HaShirim 4:4) Why is the Holy Temple compared to the neck? Just as the neck is between the shoulders, so too the Holy Temple is between Zion and the Temple mount, as it says “…and He dwells between his shoulders." (Devarim 33:12)