Dan was the fifth son of Jacob and the first with his concubine Bilhah. He was the founder of the Tribe of Dan.
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The Serpent of Dan
TANAKH
The tribe of Dan is likened to a serpent, symbolizing its nature as a source of unexpected danger, alongside its role as a judge. In the book of Genesis, Jacob's prophecy about Dan highlights the tribe's future cunning nature and its potential to cause disruption.
The Tribe of Dan in Ethiopia
HALAKHAH
One theory about the origin of the Ethiopian Jewish community, known as Beta Israel, is that they are descendants of the tribe of Dan, one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Rabbi Sharon Shalom’s work explores the unique history and customs of the Beta Israel community, who maintained their Jewish traditions in isolation for centuries.
The Tribe That Turned Away
COMMENTARY
Each of the twelve tribes was represented by a different precious stone on the breastplate of the high priest. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a 16th-century Yiddish commentary, quotes a teaching from an earlier commentator about a particular inscription on Dan's stone.
The Vengeance of Dan
MIDRASH
The tribe of Dan is portrayed as vengeful, with Samson, a Danite judge, exemplifying this trait through his actions against the Philistines. The Midrash Tanchuma delves into the characteristics of the tribe of Dan and the vengeful deeds of Samson, a judge of Israel.
The Lion's Strategy
COMMENTARY
Dan's tactics are likened to those of lions, highlighting their strategic advantage in feeling secure in their lair before attacking unsuspecting adversaries. Sforno, a prominent 16th-century Italian Jewish commentator, provides insights into the Torah, particularly focusing on strategic prowess.
Samson's Singular Judgment
KABBALAH
Samson's role in executing judgment independently highlights a distinctive aspect of divine justice. The Zohar, a central text of Jewish mysticism, offers a mystical interpretation of Samson's singular role in delivering justice, as a fulfillment of Jacob's prophecy about the tribe of Dan.
Challenges in Dan's Territory
COMMENTARY
The Tribe of Dan faced significant challenges in settling their allotted territory due to its small size and the constant threat from the Philistines. This modern analysis explores the historical and geographical struggles of the Tribe of Dan during the period of the Judges in ancient Israel.
The Eagle Symbol
MUSAR
An opinion that Dan's flag featured an eagle symbolizes mercy and aligns with Ezekiel's vision, while apparently contradicting the more common depiction as a serpent. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz’s 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, explores the symbolism of the Israelite tribes' flags, linking them to biblical and prophetic imagery.
Dan's Dual Identity
MIDRASH
Dan is compared to a serpent by Jacob, but later, by Moses, to a lion cub. The early medieval midrash, Bereshit Rabbah, explores the blessings Jacob gave to his sons, including this transformation.
From Layish to Dan
COMMENTARY
The renaming of the city Layish to Dan after its conquest signifies a connection to their forefather. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible explains this event within the broader narrative of the Israelites' settlement in the Promised Land.
Rachel's Prayer and Divine Judgment
TARGUM
Dan was born to Rachel's handmaiden, Bilhah, after Rachel herself has suffered from infertile, and in the Biblical text, Rachel gives Dan his name based on the immediate circumstances of his birth. However, the Targum Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, instead connects Rachel's naming of her son to the future judge Samson, reflecting the Jewish tradition of seeing biblical events as interconnected and significant for future generations.
Rachel's Role in the Birth of Dan
MIDRASH
Bereshit Rabbah describes the birth of Dan, Jacob's fifth son with Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. Rachel, feeling judged for her barrenness, names him Dan, signifying both judgment and exoneration. This event highlights the complexities of familial relationships and the founding of the Tribe of Dan in Israel's lineage.
The Significance of the Firstborn
COMMENTARY
The firstborn among the sons of the concubines holds a significant position, highlighting the importance of birth order and tribal organization. Chizkuni, a 13th-century Torah commentary, provides insights into the hierarchical and organizational structure of the Israelite tribes during their desert journey.
Samson, God's Shield
TALMUD
Samson, a descendant of the Tribe of Dan, is portrayed with divine-like qualities, offering protection and justice akin to God. Rabbi Yoḥanan's interpretation in the Talmud compares Samson's role and name to that of God, symbolizing his divine-like protection.
The Inheritance of Dan
COMMENTARY
The territory includes the origin of the Jordan River and spans both the northwest and northeast regions of Israel. Rashi, the renowned medieval French rabbi, provides historical and geographical insights into this inheritance in his commentary on Deuteronomy 33:22:2.
Stamp of Israel - Tribes, Inscription on tab: "Dan shall govern his people" Genesis 49,16. Israeli postage stamp catalog, Catalog Number: 147, Issued: June 5, 1956,  Designer: G. Hamori.
Stamp of Israel - Tribes, Inscription on tab: "Dan shall govern his people" Genesis 49,16. Israeli postage stamp catalog, Catalog Number: 147, Issued: June 5, 1956, Designer: G. Hamori.
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