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Benjamin is Jacob’s youngest son and Rachel’s second son. In the Torah, Benjamin is portrayed in a unique and emotional light. He was born on the way to Ephrath (Bethlehem), the only one born within the borders of Israel, and his mother Rachel died in childbirth. His father named him Benjamin, and his mother Rachel called him “Ben-Oni.” Jacob is particularly attached to him,
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Joseph, the beloved 11th son of Jacob our forefather and the firstborn of his mother Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, was a central and significant figure in the Book of Genesis. He was born to Rachel after years of infertility, and was especially beloved by his father; he also resembled his father the most and shared his father’s traits. When Joseph was born, Jacob had already received permission to meet the
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Asher is Zelpa's second son, Leah's slave, and Jacob's eighth son. In the Torah, Asher's character is not detailed on many personal occasions, but he receives significant blessings from Jacob and Moses. In the blessing of Jacob, who is described as "confirming that his bread is fat, and he will give delicacies to the king," alluded to the abundance and fertility that would characterize his inheritance. Tradition
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Gad is the eldest son of Zelfa, the slave of Leah, and the seventh son of Jacob. In the Torah, the character of Gad is not widely developed in personal events, but he is given special attention in the blessings of Jacob and Moses. In Jacob's blessing, Gad is described as "the battalion of our goddess and he is the god of his heel", alluding to his military strength and ability to overcome his enemies. Tradition
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Naftali is Bilha's second son, Rachel's slave, and Jacob's sixth son. In the Torah, the character of Naftali is not detailed in many events, but he is mentioned in the blessings of Jacob and Moses. In Yaakov's blessing, Naftali is described as "Ayala Shlocha who gives Emery Sheffer," a description that implies agility, freedom of movement and impressive expressiveness. Jewish tradition attributes
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Dan is Bilha's eldest son, Rachel's slave, and Jacob's fifth son. In the Torah, Dan's character is not widely developed in personal stories, but he receives special attention in the blessings of Jacob and Moses. In Jacob's blessing, Dan is described as "Yadin with him as one of the tribes of Israel" and resembles a serpent on the road, suggesting
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Zevulun is Leah's sixth son and Jacob's tenth son. In the Torah, Zevulun's character is not detailed in many events, but he is given a significant description in the blessings of Jacob and Moses. In Jacob's blessing, Zevulun is described as dwelling on the shore, an allusion to his future occupation in commerce and shipping. This blessing portrays Zevulun as a tribe that would specialize in economic and commercial activity, mainly
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Issachar is Leah's fifth son and Jacob's ninth son. In the Torah, the character of Issachar is not as widely developed as some of his brothers, but he has a significant place in Jacob's blessing and Moses' blessing. Issachar is described as having a penchant for Torah study and wisdom. In Jacob's blessing, he resembles a bony donkey lounging between his lips, a description interpreted as representing the
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Judah is the fourth son of Jacob Mella. In the Torah, the character of Judah develops significantly throughout the story. Initially, he is involved in selling Joseph, but offers to sell him instead of killing him. Later, Judah shows leadership and responsibility when he intervenes to save Benjamin in Egypt and is willing to sacrifice himself in his place. The Tamar affair emphasizes his ability to give thanks
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Levi is the third son of Jacob Mella. In the Torah, the character of Levi is characterized by zeal and passion, but also by a special spiritual vocation. He is best known for two major events: first, together with his brother Shimon, he brutally took revenge on the people of Nablus for raping their sister Dina. This drew strong criticism from his father Yaakov. Second, the descendants of
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Shimon is the second son of Jacob Mella, and brother of Reuven. In the Torah, the character of Shimon is described as complex and sometimes even problematic. He is best known for his involvement, together with his brother Levi, in the Dina affair in Nablus, where they brutally avenged the rape of their sister. This act was strongly criticized by their father Jacob. Shimon was also
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Reuven is the firstborn of Jacob, Leah's son. He is mentioned in the Torah as a complex figure. On the one hand, Reuven is described as possessing positive qualities such as responsibility and goodwill, for example when he tries to save Yosef from his brothers. On the other hand, the Torah tells of his sin with Bilha, his father's mistress, an act that caused him to lose the firstborn.