“Issachar is a strong-boned donkey, lying between the sheepfolds. He saw rest, that it was good, and the land, that it was pleasant; and he bowed his shoulder to bear, and he became subject to a tribute of labor” (Genesis 49:14–15). “Issachar is a strong-boned donkey” – just as this donkey, its bones are conspicuous, so, Issachar’s learning is conspicuous upon him. “Lying between the sheepfolds” – these are the three rows of Torah scholars who would sit before them.74There would be three rows of students seated before the members of the Sanhedrin when they engaged in deliberations.
“He saw rest, that it was good” – this is the Torah, as it is stated: “For a good lesson I have given you; [My Torah]” (Proverbs 4:2). “And the land, that it was pleasant” – this is the Torah: “]Its measure is] longer than the earth…” (Job 11:9).75This verse is referring to the Torah. “He bent his shoulder to bear” – the yoke of Torah. “And he became subject to a tribute of labor” – these are the two hundred heads of Sanhedrin who came from the tribe of Issachar… Another matter: “Issachar is a strong-boned donkey” – it is speaking of its land.
Just as the donkey is low on this end and low on that end and high in the middle, so [the land of Issachar has] a valley from this side, a valley from that side, and a mountain in the middle.76Mount Tavor “Lying between the sheepfolds” – these are two valleys, the Valley of Pislan and the Valley of Yizre’el. “He saw rest, that it was good” – this is Tinam. “And the land, that it was pleasant [na’ema]” – this is Na’im.77Tinam and Na’im are towns on the border of Issachar.
“He bent his shoulder to bear” – the yoke of the Land of Israel.78The yoke of fulfilling the mitzva of settling the land, and of fulfilling the land-based mitzvot. “He became subject to a tribute [mas] of labor” – Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Rabbi Elazar says: All the tribes left remnants,79They left remnants of the Canaanite nations in their territory. but the tribe of Issachar did not leave any remnants.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: The tribe of Issachar, too, left remnants, but they were payers of taxes [misim]. Rav Asi said: Because they paid taxes, it was as though they were subjugated. Another matter: “Issachar is a strong-boned donkey” – the cows of Issachar were fat. The tribe of Issachar would take of them, and set out to sea.
The nations of the world would see them and would be astounded about their [size]. Israel would say to them: ‘You are astounded about these? Had you seen the owners of these engaging in Torah study, you would be astounded about them.’ Many proselytes would come and convert.
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon said in the name of Rav Aḥa: “Issachar is a strong-boned [garem] donkey” – Issachar, a donkey caused his existence [legarmeih].80After giving her mandrakes to Rachel, Leah went out to greet Jacob. How did she know when he was coming? She heard his donkey bray. That night, Leah conceived Issachar (see Bereshit Rabba 99:10).