Yissachar is a strong ass, crouching down between the sheep-folds. (49:14) That is, [spiritual] reward⁶⁸ – “there is reward.” The very name Yissachar is related to this idea, as Leah said when she named him: “G-d has given me my reward, because I gave my handmaid to my husband” (Genesis 30:18). can be brought forth from the material world.⁶⁹, is related to the word for material substance, chomer, and the word for “strong,” in this verse gorem, also has the meaning of “to cause” or “bring about.” By eating and drinking, for instance, we uplift the sparks of holiness⁷⁰ that were “crouching down” amidst the different elements of the physical world, and in the low places. Ohr HaGanuz LaTzaddikim, Vayechi

footnotes: ⁶⁸ The name Yissachar can be divided into two words, yesh sachar ⁶⁹ The hebrew word for donkey, chamor ⁷⁰ The idea that the physical world contains sparks of holiness was discussed in previous week lessons.