וְאִשְּׁר֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֖ם כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֑ם כִּֽי־תִהְי֤וּ אַתֶּם֙ אֶ֣רֶץ חֵ֔פֶץ אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃ (ס)
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Shemot Rabbah
“These are the names of the children of Israel,” they are all mentioned here in the sense of the redemption of Israel.
Reuben, as it is stated: “I have seen the affliction of his people” (Exodus 3:7).10When Leah named her son Reuben, she said: “because the Lord has seen my affliction” (Genesis 29:32). The midrash is stating that his name also refers to the redemption of the children of Israel, as demonstrated by this verse (Midrash HaMevoar). This is true in a similar vain for all of the names listed below.
Simeon, in the sense of: “God heard their groan” (Exodus 2:24).11Leah named Simeon saying: “because the Lord has heard that I am hated” (Genesis 29:33).
Levi, in the sense that the Holy One blessed be He joined [them] in their troubles “from inside the bush” (Exodus 3:2),12Leah named Levi saying: “now this time my husband will be joined to me” (Genesis 29:34). The fact that God spoke to Moses from inside a thorn bush indicated that He was with them in their pain. to fulfill what is stated: “I am with him in times of trouble” (Psalms 91:15).
Judah, because they thanked the Holy One blessed be He.13When Leah named Judah, she said “this time I will thank the Lord” (Genesis 29:35).
Issachar, because the Holy One blessed be He paid their wages [sakhar] for their labor; the loot of Egypt and the loot at the sea, to fulfill what is written: “Afterward they will emerge with great wealth” (Genesis 15:14).
Zebulun, because the Holy One blessed be He rested His Divine Presence in their midst, as it is stated: “They shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). Zebulun is nothing other than the Temple, as it is stated: “I have built You an abode [beit zevul], a place for Your dwelling forever” (I Kings 8:13).
Benjamin, in the sense of: “Your right hand, Lord, is glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6).
Dan, in the sense of: “And also that nation that they shall serve, I will judge [dan]” (Genesis 15:14).
Naftali after the Torah and mitzvot that the Holy One blessed be He had given them, regarding which it is written: “And sweeter than honey and the juices [nofet] of ripe fruit” (Psalms 19:11).
Gad, after the manna that the Holy One blessed be He fed them, which was “like the coriander [gad] seed” (Exodus 16:31).
Asher, because everyone who heard of their redemption and prominence would praise them, as it is written: “All the nations will praise you [ve’ishru], as you will be a desired land, said the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:12).
Joseph, because the Holy One blessed be He is destined to additionally [lehosif] redeem Israel from the evil empire,14Rome just as He redeemed them from Egypt, as it is written: “It shall be on that day that the Lord will once again [yosif] set His hand a second time [to acquire the remnant of His people…as there was for Israel on the day of its ascent from the land of Egypt]” (Isaiah 11:11, 16), and the entire matter [written there].
Reuben, as it is stated: “I have seen the affliction of his people” (Exodus 3:7).10When Leah named her son Reuben, she said: “because the Lord has seen my affliction” (Genesis 29:32). The midrash is stating that his name also refers to the redemption of the children of Israel, as demonstrated by this verse (Midrash HaMevoar). This is true in a similar vain for all of the names listed below.
Simeon, in the sense of: “God heard their groan” (Exodus 2:24).11Leah named Simeon saying: “because the Lord has heard that I am hated” (Genesis 29:33).
Levi, in the sense that the Holy One blessed be He joined [them] in their troubles “from inside the bush” (Exodus 3:2),12Leah named Levi saying: “now this time my husband will be joined to me” (Genesis 29:34). The fact that God spoke to Moses from inside a thorn bush indicated that He was with them in their pain. to fulfill what is stated: “I am with him in times of trouble” (Psalms 91:15).
Judah, because they thanked the Holy One blessed be He.13When Leah named Judah, she said “this time I will thank the Lord” (Genesis 29:35).
Issachar, because the Holy One blessed be He paid their wages [sakhar] for their labor; the loot of Egypt and the loot at the sea, to fulfill what is written: “Afterward they will emerge with great wealth” (Genesis 15:14).
Zebulun, because the Holy One blessed be He rested His Divine Presence in their midst, as it is stated: “They shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). Zebulun is nothing other than the Temple, as it is stated: “I have built You an abode [beit zevul], a place for Your dwelling forever” (I Kings 8:13).
Benjamin, in the sense of: “Your right hand, Lord, is glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6).
Dan, in the sense of: “And also that nation that they shall serve, I will judge [dan]” (Genesis 15:14).
Naftali after the Torah and mitzvot that the Holy One blessed be He had given them, regarding which it is written: “And sweeter than honey and the juices [nofet] of ripe fruit” (Psalms 19:11).
Gad, after the manna that the Holy One blessed be He fed them, which was “like the coriander [gad] seed” (Exodus 16:31).
Asher, because everyone who heard of their redemption and prominence would praise them, as it is written: “All the nations will praise you [ve’ishru], as you will be a desired land, said the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:12).
Joseph, because the Holy One blessed be He is destined to additionally [lehosif] redeem Israel from the evil empire,14Rome just as He redeemed them from Egypt, as it is written: “It shall be on that day that the Lord will once again [yosif] set His hand a second time [to acquire the remnant of His people…as there was for Israel on the day of its ascent from the land of Egypt]” (Isaiah 11:11, 16), and the entire matter [written there].
Midrash Aggadah
"Reuben, Simeon - all the tribes were named after their redemption. Reuben after the verse, 'I have seen the affliction of my people' (Exodus 3:7); Simeon after the verse, 'And God heard their groaning' (Exodus 2:24); Levi after the verse, 'And many nations will be joined to the Lord' (Zechariah 2:15); Judah after the verse, 'And you shall say on that day, I will give thanks to you, Lord' (Isaiah 12:1); Issachar after the verse, 'Because there was a reward for your work' (Jeremiah 31:16); Zebulun after the verse, 'And built a city called Zebulun' (1 Chronicles 8:13); Dan after the verse, 'And also the nation that they will serve will judge' (Genesis 15:14); Naphtali after the verse, 'And your speech is sweet' (Song of Songs 4:11); Gad after the verse, 'And the manna was like coriander seed' (Numbers 11:7); Asher after the verse, 'And all the nations will call you blessed' (Malachi 3:12); Joseph after the verse, 'And it shall come to pass on that day that God will again stretch forth His hand to acquire the remnant of His people' (Isaiah 11:11); Benjamin after the verse, 'The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength' (Isaiah 62:8). This teaches us that all the tribes were named after their redemption. And why aren't their names equal in every place? Because one is placed before the other so that the children of the noble families do not say that they come first and the children of the servant families come last, and so that they do not boast to themselves. Therefore, they are arranged in a certain order to teach you that all the sons of Jacob are equal, that none of them are greater than the others."
Midrash Lekach Tov
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. The twelve tribes, corresponding to the twelve zodiac signs. Know that all the tribes were named after their greatness in Israel. Reuben, named after "And the Lord saw that the affliction of his people" (Exodus 3:7). Simeon, named after "And God heard their cry" (Exodus 2:24). Levi, named after "And many nations shall be joined to the Lord" (Zechariah 2:11). Judah, named after "I will praise you, O Lord, for you were angry with me" (Isaiah 12:1). Issachar, named after "Because there is a reward for your labor" (Jeremiah 31:15). Zebulun, named after the Temple, "I will build a house for you in Zebulun" (1 Kings 8:13). Dan, named after "I have judged" (Genesis 49:16). Naphtali, named after "He gives sweet words" (Song of Songs 4:11). Gad, named after the manna, "And the manna is like the seed of Gad" (Numbers 11:7). Asher, named after "And all nations will call you blessed" (Malachi 3:12). Joseph, named after "The Lord will once again stretch forth his hand" (Isaiah 11:11). Benjamin, named after "The Lord swore by his right hand" (Isaiah 62:8). We learn that all the names of the tribes were named after the good redemption and salvation of Israel.