Rabbinical Sources Concerning the Tribe
Rabbinical Sources on the Tribes as collated for Brit-Am by Rabbi David Feldman:
Contents:
1. Manasseh Location
2. A Contingent of Judah within Manasseh
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1. Manasseh Location
Manasseh (Halperin, Encyclopedia Le-Bait Yisrael):
The stone of Manasseh was the stone of Joseph, the Shoham.
His flag was black with the pictured of a RAEM (unicorn?) superimposed on it.
In the western section of Manasseh were the major towns of Beth-Shean, Megido, Taanak.
His western border was the Mediterranean.
In the east Manasseh suffered from conflict with the Aramaeans and with the Desert Nomads (Amos 1:3-4).
One half of Manasseh was exiled with the Tribes east of the Jordan, Gad and Reuben.
The other half was exiled with the other Tribes of Israel.
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2. A Contingent of Judah within Manasseh
(Shematin - 083. Anonymous author discusses the onions of leading Commentators concerning Manasseh, published in the Journal of an Ultra-Orthodox Teachers Union);
Reuben, Gad, and Half-Manasseh received their portions east of the Jordan. Reuben and Gad requested and then took their portions. Half-Manasseh did not request his but rather received it.
Me'am Loa'az says it was a Divine Decree.
HaNatziv (Genesis 48:14, Numbers 2:20) says Ephraim preceded Manasseh in spiritual matters. Manasseh was the leader in ways of the world.
Ephraim was experienced with miracles whereas Manasseh was closer to the Laws of Nature.
Manasseh was more suited to conquering and settling the land in the east which needed physical labor and a down to earth attitude.
At the same time settling that area required spiritual input to enhance DIvine Protection. This was obtained by elements from Judah (associated with Yair) who settled within the realm of Manasseh east of the Jordan (HaNatziv on Deuteronomy 3:16, see Talmud Yebamot 62:b).
Half-Manasseh did not participate in the building of the Altar by the Jordan River of Reuben and Gad.