Why did Yaakov refer to Binyamin as a "predatory wolf"?
Rashi and Rashbam: He did so in reference to (a) after the episode of Pilegesh b'Giv'ah, when the remaining members of the tribe of Binyamin grabbed wives for themselves; 1 (b), in reference to King Shaul (who was from Binyamin), shortly after he was crowned king. The Navi describes how he defeated one nation after another, and that wherever he turned he cast terror (Shmuel I 14:47). 2
Targum Onkelos: Yaakov was referring to the Shechinah, that dwelt in the portion of Binyamin, where the main section of the Beis-ha'Mikdash was built. 3
Ohr ha'Chayim: This refers to Sha'ul, who was like a wolf, which tears (kills) quickly. Sha'ul did not wait for the time that Shmuel fixed. This is why he ate only in the morning, and his kingship ceased.
Ha'amek Davar: He is not like a lion, which is not afraid of anything. A wolf fears the shepherd and his staff; and even so it tears prey. So Sha'ul with his son Yehonasan conquered the Pelishtim, and David killed Golyas in Sha'ul's day, even though he was afraid the entire day. 4
Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 4, p. 67, to Zevachim 53b): Binyamin's portion included the Mizbe'ach and its Korbanos, yet he yearned to swallow up even the narrow band of land adjacent to it (which belonged to Yehudah). Because Binyamin sought to receive more Kedushah, the Shechinah rested (on the Beis Hamikdash) in his portion.
See Shoftim 21:21. Hadar Zekenim elaborates to show how Yaakov's Berachos counter the four kingdoms that ruled over Yisrael.
Rashbam: Moreover, Binyamin joined forces with the righteous kings of Yehudah - Asa, Yehoshafat and Chizkiyahu - when they fought and defeated the enemy, as the Pesukim in Divrei ha'Yamim testify (see Divrei Hayamim II 14:7, 17:17).
Presumably the comparison to a predatory wolf refers to the Shechinah, which Kevayachol, devoured the lambs that Yisrael offered every morning (the Tamid Shel Shachar) until four hours (Targum Yonasan), and every evening or afternoon (the Tamid Shel Bein ha'Arbayim).
Why does he discuss David in Binyamin's Berachah? And where do we find that David feared Golyas? Ha'amek Davar (to Devarim 33:12) said that due to the awesome Bitachon of Sha'ul, in his days there was no need to learn war tactics. David went to fight Golyas with a stick and stone! After Sha'ul died, David lamented that now, Yehudah must learn archery. Perhaps Ha'amek Davar means that Sha'ul feared Golyas, and even so, he sent David, and Sha'ul's Bitachon helped him to defeat Golyas. (PF)
What was Yaakov referring to when he spoke of the prey that Binyamin would devour in the morning?
Rashi: He was referring to the spoil that Shaul, who ruled in the early years of Yisrael's nationhood, 1 would capture from his enemies. 2
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: Refer to 49:27:1:2*.
Seforno: A wolf tends to catch its prey in the early morning or in the evening, when there is little light. Similarly, Binyamin demonstrated his strength in the dawn of Jewish history, 3 and in the monarchy's twilight 4 (Refer to 49:27:2:1 and 49:27:3:1).
Ohr ha'Chayim: Refer to 49:27:1:3.
Malbim: This is unlike a wolf, which tears at night and leaves the remainder for the morning. Binyamin will eat his prey in the morning, and divide the spoils at night (i.e. what remains after the war). This hints that they were Giborim who defeated their enemies.
Ha'amek Davar: All of Yaakov's Berachah applies to the period until all of the Land was conquered. The morning is the start of Sha'ul's kingship, when he conquered Nachash; he was happy and ate the prey. Then refer to 49:27:3:7.
What was Yaakov referring to when he spoke of the booty that Binyamin will distribute in the evening?
Rashi #1: He was referring to the spoil that Mordechai and Esther (who were also from Binyamin and) who lived in the during the later years of Yisrael's nationhood, 1 seized from Haman. 2
Rashi #2 (citing Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan): Refer to 49:27:1:2*; the Korban Tamid would be offered in the late afternoon. 3
Rashbam: He was merely referring to his initial comparison of Binyamin to a wolf, whose way it is to catch its prey in the evening. 4
Seforno: The rule of Mordechai and Esther; refer to 49:27:2:3**.
Ohr ha'Chayim #1: Binyamin's kingship will be divided. People will say, "Hikah Sha'ul... v'David b'Rivevosav 5 " (Shmuel I 18:7).
Ohr ha'Chayim #2: This hints that due to him (i.e. his grandson Mefivoshes), David's kingship will be divided. When David said "you (Mefivoshes) and Tziva (your slave) will divide your field" (Shmuel II 19:30), a Bas Kol (voice from Heaven) said that Rechav'am and Yarav'am will divide the kingship (Yoma 22b). This was the sunset of Yisrael (their decline; they sinned greatly after this).
Ha'amek Davar: Night refers to the end of Sha'ul's kingship, when David fought Golyas. Sha'ul's Da'as departed (a bad Ru'ach came on him) and he did not enjoy anything; the nation divided the spoils. This is why it says "Yechalek" (he will divide to others), and not 'Yachalok' (which would imply that also he gets a share).
Rashi: After the sun had begun to set at the hands of Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel.
Rashi: As the Pasuk writes in Esther 8:7. Ha'amek Davar - But the Jews did not take booty when they defeated their enemies in the days of Mordechai! They also did not divide Haman's house (rather, the king gave it to Mordechai)!
Targum Yonasan: Moreover, in the evening, the Kohanim divide the leftovers of other Korbanos between them; each Kohen would consume his portion. See also Rashi to Tehilim (132:5-6).
Rashbam: As Pesukim state (Yirmeyahu 5:6; Tzefanyah 3:3). Targum Yonasan also explains that Binyamin was as strong as a wolf catching its prey, though he does not explain to what this refers (See Ibn Ezra).
The verse teaches that David was honored more than Sha'ul. Why didn't Ohr ha'Chayim explain that after Sha'ul died, his kingship was divided between Ish Boshes and David? (PF)
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "Binyamin... - is a wolf, which devours." What is Rashi clarifying
Gur Aryeh: Do not explain "Binyamin Ze'ev Yitraf" to mean 'Binyamin will devour a wolf;' but rather, 'Binyamin himself is like a wolf, which devours."
