Our starting point? A little phrase from Sifrei Devarim 355: "He shall be desired of his brothers." Sounds intriguing, right?

The text presents us with two distinct interpretations of this blessing. Let's dive in.

First, we have a story about lineage and, well, a little bit of sibling rivalry. The text recounts a dispute within the Israelite tribes about who gets what. Reuven, the eldest, stakes his claim: "Scripture accords me the pedigree — the Levitical office is mine!" He’s basically saying, "Hey, I’m the oldest, so I get the best job!"

But here's where it gets interesting. Sifrei Devarim tells us that Asher steps in and "reconciled his brothers." Because of this act, the verse "He shall be desired of his brothers" is applied to Asher.

What does it mean to "reconcile"? The text doesn't spell it out, but we can imagine Asher using his charm, wit, and maybe even a little bit of wisdom to smooth things over. He's the peacemaker, the one who brings everyone back together. This interpretation suggests that Asher's true blessing wasn't a specific role or office, but his ability to foster harmony and unity among his brothers.

Pretty cool, right?

But wait, there's more! The text then offers a completely different take on this blessing.

"He shall be desired of his brothers": There is none among all the lands, which provides sustenance in the Sabbatical year as that of Asher.

The Sabbatical year, or shmita, is a year of rest for the land, observed every seven years. No planting, no harvesting. A test of faith, to say the least! So, how does Asher fit in?

Well, the text tells us that Asher's territory was so fertile, so abundant, that even during the Sabbatical year, it provided sustenance. In other words, while everyone else was tightening their belts, Asher was still thriving.

So, which is it? Peacekeeper or provider?

Maybe it's both. Perhaps Asher was blessed with the ability to create abundance, both materially and emotionally. Maybe his capacity for reconciliation was linked to his ability to provide for others, creating a sense of security and well-being that fostered harmony.

What do you think?

What does it mean to be "desired" by your brothers, your community, your family? Is it about a specific skill, a particular talent, or something more fundamental? Perhaps it's about the ability to bring people together, to create abundance, to be a source of blessing in a world that often feels lacking. Maybe, just maybe, Asher's story is a reminder that true wealth lies not in what we possess, but in what we share.