Naphtali
Artist: Maria Stolz

“Naphtali is a hind let loose, he gives goodly words.” Gen. 49:21

“Naphtali is a deer sent forth.”  Our sages have interpreted this passage to refer to Naphtali’s skill as a messenger transmitting information.  That is to say, Naphtali obeys instructions while refraining from imposing his own ideas.

The deer is a symbol of agility and grace and is found to be the only feminine animal found in all of the blessings of the tribes.  However, the antlers allude to the name Naphtali, which means wrestled or twisted.

The eagle symbolizes defiance and alludes to the name “I have fought.”  Cyclamen grows in Israel, Jacob’s blessing “surfeited in sunny light.”

Finally, in the Talmud, there is a description of when a deer is dying of thirst, it sticks its head in the ground and screams a cry that can be heard throughout the seven firmaments.  Immediately a fountain of water springs forth from the earth.  The deer drinking from this stream illustrates this teaching.

©Maria Stolz

Reuben | Simeon | Levi | Judah | Dan | Naphtali | Gad | Asher | Issachar | Zebulun | Joseph | Benjamin

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