The equally confusing answer is: Yes. Judah is all three. Judah, son of Jacob, founded the tribe of Judah, which in turn become the name of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, comprised of two family lines or the Tribes of Judah.
Let’s back up.
Jacob –son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham – fathered 12 sons, including Judah. God later changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:25‒32), and the descendants of his sons became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel.
The tribes lived as a united nation through the reign of King David’s son, Solomon. After Solomon died, the Israelites divided into two separate kingdoms, each with its own king.
The Southern Kingdom was called Judah and included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The Northern Kingdom was called Israel and comprised the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Dan, Asher, Naphtali and Gad.
Tu B’Shevat is the Jewish New Year for Trees
The shofar is a simple yet profound instrument of the Bible. It’s a key feature of Judaism’s Fall Feasts, particularly Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah.
What we can learn about gratitude from the Jewish tradition of “blessing” God.
