Issachar the Scholar Sustained by Zebulun the Merchant

"And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah" (Judges 5:15). This is what Scripture says: "And of the sons of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times" (1 Chronicles 12:33). Rabbi Tanchum says: he knew most of the wisdoms. Rabbi Yose ben Ketzari says: this refers to intercalating the years, as it is written, "and their brethren were at their command" (1 Chronicles 12:33), for all their brethren agreed to the law according to their ruling, and he would answer them with a law given to Moses at Sinai. And likewise Scripture praises him in courts of law in Egypt: "of Yashub, the family of the Yashubites" (Numbers 26:24); "Yashub" means nothing other than a court of law, as it is said, "and they shall come to you as the people come, and they shall sit before you" (Ezekiel 33:31), and it says, "and Jacob was a wholesome man, dwelling in tents" (Genesis 25:27). And from where did Issachar have his livelihood? From Zebulun, who engaged in commerce and fed Issachar, who was a man of Torah, as it is written, "Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea" (Genesis 49:13); and for this reason, "Issachar is a strong-boned donkey" (Genesis 49:14). And when Moses came to bless the tribes, he placed the blessing of Zebulun before the blessing of Issachar, as it is written, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar in your tents" (Deuteronomy 33:18). And you find that he was ninth among the tribes yet brought his offering second to the king, as it is written, "On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, brought his offering" (Numbers 7:18). Why? Because he was a man of Torah.