The Blessing and Peril of Invincibility

An exploration of the connection between Yaakov Avinu’s berachah to Binyamin in Parshas Vayechi and the near annihilation of Shevet Binyamin in Sefer Shoftim—and its powerful lessons for Klal Yisroel.

The berachos that Yaakov gave to his children, in a way, summed up their very essence. Each blessing allowed the corresponding Shevet to discover its individuality, to know and embrace its distinct mission. However, as revelatory as the blessings may be, they are also cryptic and difficult to understand. They are rich in metaphors, symbolizing each of their missions. However, as with all aspects of Torah, there are various ways to understand the words of Yaakov Avinu. However, true understanding comes when you can take various interpretations and weave them together as one.

For the purpose of this essay, I would like to focus on Binyamin, my ultimate namesake—one of the more enigmatic of the Shevatim.

Binyamin was the youngest of the Shevatim. He stood starkly apart from the rest of Bnei Yisrael. He was the only son born in Eretz Yisrael and never experienced the submission of bowing to Esav, as his brothers had. Chazal tell us that he was known for his quiet manner¹ as well as his modes…