Jacob as the Spiritual Root

בפסוק וזאת אשר דיבר להם אביהם כו' איש אשר כברכתו ברך אותם.

“In the verse: ‘And this is what their father spoke to them… each according to his blessing he blessed them.’”

The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the Torah’s phrasing, which emphasizes that Jacob’s words and blessings were uniquely fitted to each son. This introduces the idea that blessing is not generic but individualized.

כי צורתו של יעקב חקוקה תחת כסה"כ שהוא האדם שברא השי"ת בעולם.

“For Jacob’s form is engraved beneath the Throne of Glory; he is the human being whom God created in the world.”

This teaches that Jacob embodies the archetypal human form as it exists in its divine root, engraved metaphorically beneath the Throne. He represents the ideal human expression as intended by God.

וצורתו למטה כצורתו למעלה שנמשך אחר השורש.

“And his form below corresponds to his form above, for it follows its root.”

The earthly Jacob reflects the supernal Jacob; his physical and spiritual being aligns with its celestial origin. This continuity enables him to transmit blessing from the root to the world below.

והי' הכולל של כל ישראל לכך קרא שמו ישראל.

“And he was the inclusive totality of all Israel; therefore his name was called Israel.”

Jacob embodies within himself the entirety of the souls of Israel. His name ‘Israel’ reflects this all‑encompassing spiritual identity.

וזה רמז איש אשר כברכתו על יעקב שהי' איש למטה כמו השורש שלו למעלה.

“And this hints at ‘each man according to his blessing’ with regard to Jacob, for he was a man below corresponding to his root above.”

The phrase “each man according to his blessing” alludes also to Jacob himself, whose earthly identity mirrors his heavenly root, making him capable of serving as a channel for individualized blessings.

והעיד הכ' שהי' יכול לברך אותם כי עיקר הברכה למשוך מן השורש אל הצורה שלמטה

“And Scripture testifies that he was able to bless them, for the essence of blessing is to draw from the root to the form below.”

The power of blessing is the ability to draw divine abundance from its spiritual source into the embodied form of each recipient. Jacob, aligned with his root, could do this effectively.

ונתן לכל א' מקומו והראה להם מקום אחוזתם בו

“And he gave each one his place and showed them their portion within him.”

Each son received a blessing that corresponded to his specific spiritual place within Jacob’s encompassing identity. Jacob revealed to them their unique role and spiritual inheritance.

כמ"ש אשר דיבר להם אביהם שהמשיך אותם אחריו שהוא השורש שלהם ושל כל בנ"י כנ"ל.

“As it is said: ‘which their father spoke to them,’ meaning that he drew them after him, for he is their root and the root of all the Children of Israel, as above.”

Jacob’s speech is described as drawing his sons toward their root in him. His blessings aligned them with their spiritual source within the collective soul of Israel.

כי דיבור הוא הנהגה כמו ידבר עמים:

“For speech is leadership, as in the verse: ‘He shall rule (y’daber) over nations.’”

The Sefat Emet concludes by explaining that ‘speech’ in Scripture often denotes guidance or governance. Thus Jacob’s ‘speech’ to his sons signifies that he guided them into their true spiritual identity.

Summary: Jacob’s blessings reflect his unique role as the earthly manifestation of the supernal human form engraved beneath the Throne. As the root of all Israel, he channels divine blessing from above to each son according to his place within him, guiding them through the power of his speech.