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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 33

Translation and Transliteration of 

1This is the blessing with which Moshe, the man of Hashem, bade the Israelites farewell before he died.

v'-ZOT ha-b'-ra-KHA a-SHER be-RAKH mo-SHEH eesh ha-e-lo-HEEM et b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL lif-NEY mo-TO

אוְזֹ֣את הַבְּרָכָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בֵּרַ֥ךְ מֹשֶׁ֛ה אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִפְנֵ֖י מוֹתֽוֹ׃

2He said: Hashem came from Sinai; He shone upon them from Seir; He appeared from Mount Paran, And approached from Ribeboth-kodesh, Lightning flashing at them from His right.

va-YO-mer a-do-NAI mi-SI-nai BA v'-za-RACH mi-say-EER la-MO ho-fee-AH may-HAR pa-A-RAN v'-a-TAH may-riv-VOT ko-DAYSH may-mee-NO (ASH-DAT) [AYSH DAT] la-MO

בוַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ הוֹפִ֙יעַ֙ מֵהַ֣ר פָּארָ֔ן וְאָתָ֖ה מֵרִבְבֹ֣ת קֹ֑דֶשׁ מִימִינ֕וֹ (אשדת) [אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת] לָֽמוֹ׃

3Lover, indeed, of the people, Their hallowed are all in Your hand. They followed in Your steps, Accepting Your pronouncements,

af kho-VAYV a-MEEM kol-k'-do-SHAV b'-ya-DE-kha v'-HEM tu-KU l'-rag-LE-kha yi-SA mi-da-b'-RO-te-KHA

גאַ֚ף חֹבֵ֣ב עַמִּ֔ים כׇּל־קְדֹשָׁ֖יו בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהֵם֙ תֻּכּ֣וּ לְרַגְלֶ֔ךָ יִשָּׂ֖א מִדַּבְּרֹתֶֽיךָ׃

4When Moshe charged us with the Teaching As the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.

TO-rah tzi-VAH-la-NU mo-SHEH mo-RA-sha KE-hi-LAT ya-a-KOV

דתּוֹרָ֥ה צִוָּה־לָ֖נוּ מֹשֶׁ֑ה מוֹרָשָׁ֖ה קְהִלַּ֥ת יַעֲקֹֽב׃

5Then He became King in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people assembled, The tribes of Yisrael together.

vai-HI b'-yu-shu-RUN me-LEKH, b'-hit-a-SEF ra-SHEI am YA-khad shiv-TAY yis-ra-AYL

הוַיְהִ֥י בִישֻׁר֖וּן מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּהִתְאַסֵּף֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם יַ֖חַד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

6May Reuven live and not die, Though few be his numbers.

y'-khi re-u-VEN v'-al ya-MOT vi-y'-hi m'-ta-YAV mis-PAHR. (s)

ויְחִ֥י רְאוּבֵ֖ן וְאַל־יָמֹ֑ת וִיהִ֥י מְתָ֖יו מִסְפָּֽר׃

7And this he said of Yehuda: Hear, Hashem the voice of Yehuda And restore him to his people. Though his own hands strive for him, Help him against his foes.

v'-ZOT li-Y'-hu-DA, va-YO-mer: sh'-MA a-do-NAI, KOL y'-hu-DA, v'-el a-MO te-ve-E-nu, ya-DAV RAV lo, v'-AY-zer mi-tza-RA-yav ti-HE-yeh. (Selah)

זוְזֹ֣את לִיהוּדָה֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ שְׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ ק֣וֹל יְהוּדָ֔ה וְאֶל־עַמּ֖וֹ תְּבִיאֶ֑נּוּ יָדָיו֙ רָ֣ב ל֔וֹ וְעֵ֥זֶר מִצָּרָ֖יו תִּהְיֶֽה׃

8And of Levi he said: Let Your Thummim and Urim Be with Your faithful one, Whom You tested at Massah, Challenged at the waters of Meribah;

u-l'-LE-vee a-MAR tu-ME-kha v'-u-RE-kha l'-ISH cha-see-DE-kha a-SHER ni-SEE-to b'-ma-SA t'-ree-VE-hu al-MAY m'-ree-VAH

חוּלְלֵוִ֣י אָמַ֔ר תֻּמֶּ֥יךָ וְאוּרֶ֖יךָ לְאִ֣ישׁ חֲסִידֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִסִּיתוֹ֙ בְּמַסָּ֔ה תְּרִיבֵ֖הוּ עַל־מֵ֥י מְרִיבָֽה׃

9Who said of his father and mother, “I consider them not.” His brothers he disregarded, Ignored his own children. Your precepts alone they observed, And kept Your covenant.

ha-o-MER le-a-VEEV u-le-i-MO lo r'-ee-TEE-v, v'-ET e-KHAV lo hi-KIR, v'-ET ba-NAV lo ya-DA, kee sha-M'-RU im-ra-TE-kha u-v'-ree-TE-kha yin-tzo-RO

טהָאֹמֵ֞ר לְאָבִ֤יו וּלְאִמּוֹ֙ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִ֔יו וְאֶת־אֶחָיו֙ לֹ֣א הִכִּ֔יר וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖ו לֹ֣א יָדָ֑ע כִּ֤י שָֽׁמְרוּ֙ אִמְרָתֶ֔ךָ וּבְרִיתְךָ֖ יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃

10They shall teach Your laws to Yaakov And Your instructions to Yisrael. They shall offer You incense to savor And whole-offerings on Your mizbayach.

yo-RU mish-PA-te-KHA le-ya-a-KOV v'-to-ra-TE-kha le-yis-ra-AYL ya-SEE-mu k'-to-RAH b'-a-PE-kha v'-ka-LEEL al-miz-B'-khe-KHA

ייוֹר֤וּ מִשְׁפָּטֶ֙יךָ֙ לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב וְתוֹרָתְךָ֖ לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יָשִׂ֤ימוּ קְטוֹרָה֙ בְּאַפֶּ֔ךָ וְכָלִ֖יל עַֽל־מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ׃

11Bless, Hashem, his substance, And favor his undertakings. Smite the loins of his foes; Let his enemies rise no more.

ba-REKH a-do-NAI khe-LO u-PO-aL ya-DAV tir-TZEH m'-KHATZ mot-NA-yim ka-MAV u-m'-sa-NAYV min-y'-KU-mun. (S)

יאבָּרֵ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ חֵיל֔וֹ וּפֹ֥עַל יָדָ֖יו תִּרְצֶ֑ה מְחַ֨ץ מׇתְנַ֧יִם קָמָ֛יו וּמְשַׂנְאָ֖יו מִן־יְקוּמֽוּן׃

12Of Binyamin he said: Beloved of Hashem, He rests securely beside Him; Ever does He protect him, As he rests between His shoulders.

l'-vin-ya-MIN a-MAR y'-DEED a-do-NAI yish-KON la-VE-takh a-LAV kho-FAYF a-LAV kol ha-YOM u-VAYN k'-tay-FAV sha-KHAYN

יבלְבִנְיָמִ֣ן אָמַ֔ר יְדִ֣יד יְהֹוָ֔ה יִשְׁכֹּ֥ן לָבֶ֖טַח עָלָ֑יו חֹפֵ֤ף עָלָיו֙ כׇּל־הַיּ֔וֹם וּבֵ֥ין כְּתֵפָ֖יו שָׁכֵֽן׃

 33:12   As he rests between His shoulders

Model of the Second Beit Hamikdash, Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Immediately before his death, Moshe blesses each of the tribes with a blessing corresponding to its unique qualities. These words make reference to the fact that the Beit Hamikdash was built in the part of the city of Yerushalayim which belongs to the tribe of Binyamin. One reason offered to explain why Binyamin merited the Beit Hamikdash in his portion is that while all the other sons of Yaakov were born outside Israel, the youngest son, Binyamin, was born in the land (see Genesis 35:18). Therefore, he merited the special privilege of having the Temple in his territory.

 

13And of Yosef he said: Blessed of Hashem be his land With the bounty of dew from heaven, And of the deep that couches below;

u-l'-yo-SEF a-MAR m'-vo-RE-khet a-do-NAI ar-TZO mi-ME-ged sha-MA-yim mi-TAL u-mi-t'-HOM ro-VETZ-et TA-khat

יגוּלְיוֹסֵ֣ף אָמַ֔ר מְבֹרֶ֥כֶת יְהֹוָ֖ה אַרְצ֑וֹ מִמֶּ֤גֶד שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ מִטָּ֔ל וּמִתְּה֖וֹם רֹבֶ֥צֶת תָּֽחַת׃

14With the bounteous yield of the sun, And the bounteous crop of the moons;

u-mi-ME-ged t'-vu-OT sha-MESH u-mi-ME-ged GE-resh ye-ra-KHEEM

ידוּמִמֶּ֖גֶד תְּבוּאֹ֣ת שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גֶּ֥רֶשׁ יְרָחִֽים׃

15With the best from the ancient mountains, And the bounty of hills immemorial;

u-me-ROSH har-rei-KE-dem u-mi-ME-ged giv-OT o-LAM

טווּמֵרֹ֖אשׁ הַרְרֵי־קֶ֑דֶם וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גִּבְע֥וֹת עוֹלָֽם׃

16With the bounty of earth and its fullness, And the favor of the Presence in the Bush. May these rest on the head of Yosef, On the crown of the elect of his brothers.

u-mi-ME-ged E-retz u-m'-lo-AH u-re-TZON sho-KH'-nee se-NEH ta-vo-TA l'-ROSH yo-SEF u-l'-kod-KOD ne-ZEER e-KHA-yo

טזוּמִמֶּ֗גֶד אֶ֚רֶץ וּמְלֹאָ֔הּ וּרְצ֥וֹן שֹׁכְנִ֖י סְנֶ֑ה תָּב֙וֹאתָה֙ לְרֹ֣אשׁ יוֹסֵ֔ף וּלְקׇדְקֹ֖ד נְזִ֥יר אֶחָֽיו׃

17Like a firstling bull in his majesty, He has horns like the horns of the wild-ox; With them he gores the peoples, The ends of the earth one and all. These are the myriads of Efraim, Those are the thousands of Menashe.

b'-KOR sh'-RO ha-DAR lo v'-kar-NAY r'-EM ka-r'-NAV ba-HEM a-MEEM ye-NAG-akh ya-KHA-dav af-SAY a-RETZ v'-HEM riv-VOT ef-RA-yim v'-HEM al-FAY me-na-SHEH (s)

יזבְּכ֨וֹר שׁוֹר֜וֹ הָדָ֣ר ל֗וֹ וְקַרְנֵ֤י רְאֵם֙ קַרְנָ֔יו בָּהֶ֗ם עַמִּ֛ים יְנַגַּ֥ח יַחְדָּ֖ו אַפְסֵי־אָ֑רֶץ וְהֵם֙ רִבְב֣וֹת אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְהֵ֖ם אַלְפֵ֥י מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃

18And of Zevulun he said: Rejoice, O Zevulun, on your journeys, And Yissachar, in your tents.

v'-liz-vu-LUN a-MAR, se-MACH z'-vu-LUN b'-tze-ET-kha, v'-yi-sa-SHA-khar b'-o-ha-LE-kha

יחוְלִזְבוּלֻ֣ן אָמַ֔ר שְׂמַ֥ח זְבוּלֻ֖ן בְּצֵאתֶ֑ךָ וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר בְּאֹהָלֶֽיךָ׃

19They invite their kin to the mountain, Where they offer sacrifices of success. For they draw from the riches of the sea And the hidden hoards of the sand.

a-MEEM ha-RA yik-RA-u, sham yiz-B'-khu ziv-khay tze-DEK, ki she-FA yam-EEM yi-NA-ku u-s'-fu-NEI t'-mu-NEI khol.

יטעַמִּים֙ הַר־יִקְרָ֔אוּ שָׁ֖ם יִזְבְּח֣וּ זִבְחֵי־צֶ֑דֶק כִּ֣י שֶׁ֤פַע יַמִּים֙ יִינָ֔קוּ וּשְׂפֻנֵ֖י טְמ֥וּנֵי חֽוֹל׃

20And of Gad he said: Blessed be He who enlarges Gad! Poised is he like a lion To tear off arm and scalp.

u-l'-GAD a-MAR ba-ROOKH mar-KHEEV GAD k'-la-VEE sha-KHAYN v'-ta-RAF ze-RO-a af-kod-KOD

כוּלְגָ֣ד אָמַ֔ר בָּר֖וּךְ מַרְחִ֣יב גָּ֑ד כְּלָבִ֣יא שָׁכֵ֔ן וְטָרַ֥ף זְר֖וֹעַ אַף־קׇדְקֹֽד׃

21He chose for himself the best, For there is the portion of the revered chieftain, Where the heads of the people come. He executed Hashem's judgments And His decisions for Yisrael.

vai-YAR re-SHEET LO ki-SHAM khel-KAT me-KHO-KEK sa-FOON vai-YAY-tay ra-SHEI AM tzi-D'-KAT a-do-NAI a-SAH u-mish-PA-tav im yis-ra-AYL. (S)

כאוַיַּ֤רְא רֵאשִׁית֙ ל֔וֹ כִּי־שָׁ֛ם חֶלְקַ֥ת מְחֹקֵ֖ק סָפ֑וּן וַיֵּתֵא֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם צִדְקַ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ עָשָׂ֔ה וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֖יו עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

22And of Dan he said: Dan is a lion's whelp That leaps forth from Bashan.

u-l'-DAN a-MAR, DAN GUUR ar-YAY, y'-za-NEK min ha-ba-SHAN.

כבוּלְדָ֣ן אָמַ֔ר דָּ֖ן גּ֣וּר אַרְיֵ֑ה יְזַנֵּ֖ק מִן־הַבָּשָֽׁן׃

23And of Naftali he said: O Naftali, sated with favor And full of Hashem's blessing, Take possession on the west and south.

u-l'-nafta-LEE a-MAR nafta-LEE, s'-va RA-tson u-ma-LE b'-r'-KAT a-do-NAI, yam v'-da-ROM y'-ra-SHAH. (S)

כגוּלְנַפְתָּלִ֣י אָמַ֔ר נַפְתָּלִי֙ שְׂבַ֣ע רָצ֔וֹן וּמָלֵ֖א בִּרְכַּ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה יָ֥ם וְדָר֖וֹם יְרָֽשָׁה׃

24And of Asher he said: Most blessed of sons be Asher; May he be the favorite of his brothers, May he dip his foot in oil.

u-l'-a-SHER a-MAR ba-ROOKH mi-ba-NEEM a-SHER y'-HEE r'-TZU-ee e-KHA-yav v'-to-VAYL ba-SHE-men rag-LO

כדוּלְאָשֵׁ֣ר אָמַ֔ר בָּר֥וּךְ מִבָּנִ֖ים אָשֵׁ֑ר יְהִ֤י רְצוּי֙ אֶחָ֔יו וְטֹבֵ֥ל בַּשֶּׁ֖מֶן רַגְלֽוֹ׃

25May your doorbolts be iron and copper, And your security last all your days.

bar-ZEL u-ne-KHO-shet min-a-LE-kha u-ke-ya-ME-kha do-VE-kha

כהבַּרְזֶ֥ל וּנְחֹ֖שֶׁת מִנְעָלֶ֑ךָ וּכְיָמֶ֖יךָ דׇּבְאֶֽךָ׃

26O Jeshurun, there is none like Hashem, Riding through the heavens to help you, Through the skies in His majesty.

AYN ka-EL y'-shu-RUN, ro-KHAYV sha-MA-yim b'-ez-re-KHA, u-ve-ga-a-VA-to she-KHA-keem.

כואֵ֥ין כָּאֵ֖ל יְשֻׁר֑וּן רֹכֵ֤ב שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ בְּעֶזְרֶ֔ךָ וּבְגַאֲוָת֖וֹ שְׁחָקִֽים׃

27The ancient Hashem is a refuge, A support are the arms everlasting. He drove out the enemy before you By His command: Destroy!

m'-O-nah e-lo-HEI ke-DEM u-mi-TA-khat ze-ro-OT o-LAM va-y'-ga-RESH mi-pa-NE-kha o-YEV va-YO-mer ha-sh'-MAYD

כזמְעֹנָהֿ֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵי קֶ֔דֶם וּמִתַּ֖חַת זְרֹעֹ֣ת עוֹלָ֑ם וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ מִפָּנֶ֛יךָ אוֹיֵ֖ב וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַשְׁמֵֽד׃

28Thus Yisrael dwells in safety, Untroubled is Yaakov's abode, In a land of grain and wine, Under heavens dripping dew.

vai-YISH-kon yis-ra-AYL b'-TAKH ba-DAD AYN ya-a-KOV el E-retz da-GAN v'-ti-ROSH af-sha-MA-yav ya-ar-FU tal

כחוַיִּשְׁכֹּן֩ יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל בֶּ֤טַח בָּדָד֙ עֵ֣ין יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ דָּגָ֣ן וְתִיר֑וֹשׁ אַף־שָׁמָ֖יו יַ֥עַרְפוּ טָֽל׃

29O happy Yisrael! Who is like you, A people delivered by Hashem, Your protecting Shield, your Sword triumphant! Your enemies shall come cringing before you, Andyou shall tread on their backs.

a-sh'-RE-kha yis-ra-EL, mi-KHA-mo-kha am no-SHA ba-do-NAI, ma-GEN ez-re-KHA va-a-SHER khe-REV ga-a-va-TE-kha, v'-yi-ka-KHA-shu oy-VE-kha LA-kh, v'-a-TAH al-ba-mo-TE-kha tid-ROKH. (SeLaH)

כטאַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ*(בספרי תימן אַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ באל״ף גדולה) יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל מִ֣י כָמ֗וֹךָ עַ֚ם נוֹשַׁ֣ע בַּיהֹוָ֔ה מָגֵ֣ן עֶזְרֶ֔ךָ וַאֲשֶׁר־חֶ֖רֶב גַּאֲוָתֶ֑ךָ וְיִכָּחֲשׁ֤וּ אֹיְבֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ וְאַתָּ֖ה עַל־בָּמוֹתֵ֥ימוֹ תִדְרֹֽךְ׃