In this week's parshah, Yaakov Avinu blesses his children, the fathers of the twelve tribes (shevatim). Yaakov's blessings are more than good wishes. They tell us many things about the shevatim and each one's path in the service of HaShem throughout the generations.

When the Jewish people journeyed in the desert, they traveled in groups of three shevatim, each group positioned on one side of the Mishkan. The last group in this formation included the shevatim of Dan, Asher and Naftali.

Being last doesn't mean being least. For example, when we look at our body, our feet are the lowest part of us, furthest away from our heads. Yet our feet support our entire bodies. Even more, when our feet follow the messages that our head sends them, they follow much faster than any other part of the body. And they do this without asking any questions.

We should serve HaShem in the same way, fulfilling His commandments because He tells us that this is what He wants. This is called kabbalas ol. The shevatim Dan, Asher and Naftali served HaShem with kabbalas ol. Like the feet, which support the body, their service was the base that supported the service of all the other shevatim. This is hinted at in the blessings they received from Yaakov Avinu, and later from Moshe Rabbeinu.

About Dan, Yaakov says, "Dan Yadin Amo" - "Dan will judge his people." Yadin comes from the word din, meaning halachah. This teaches us that a Jew should judge himself. He should see if he is living as the din tells him to do. And he should be judging himself all the time. Before deciding what to do, he should look into the Shulchan Aruch. Whether it is a serious action or a simple day-to-day activity, his guide is the Shulchan Aruch. Judging ourselves according to the Shulchan Aruch is an act of kabbalas ol, because everything in the Shulchan Aruch is HaShem's will.

About Asher, Moshe Rabbeinu says, "VeTovel BaShemen Raglo" - "he dips his foot in oil." The portion of land given to Asher was very fruitful, and many olive trees grew there. The people of the tribe of Asher had so many olive trees that they could easily afford to massage their feet with this delicate, healing oil.

Oil is compared to wisdom. Like oil that rises to the top when it is mixed with other liquids, our heads are higher than the rest of our bodies, and the ability to think is the highest power that we have.

But Shevet Asher put their feet into the oil. Feet are connected to kabbalas ol, listening to HaShem without asking why. When feet are dipped in oil, it's the feet that are important. This teaches us that "feet" - kabbalas ol - need to control the "oil" - our thoughts and wisdom.

And about Naftali, Moshe Rabbeinu says, "Yam ViDarom Yirasha", "To the sea and to the south: take possession of it." This blessing is speaking about the Torah, the yerushah - inheritance - that every Jew possesses. We all inherit the Torah, no matter who we are or how much we understand. We can all claim this inheritance by serving HaShem with kabbalas ol - fulfilling His commandments simply because He asks.

(Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. I, p. 102)