Dan ben Yaakov Ovinu zt"l

הרב דן בן יעקב זצ"ל

Elul 9 , 2318

Father's Name: Yaakov Avinu

Born on the 9th of Elul, Alef’ Kuf Tzadi Beis, Dan was the son of Yaakov Avinu and Bilhah. He was Yaakov’s fifth child and Bilhah’s first (Bereishis 30:6).

Dan lived for 125 years. According to the Yaabetz, all the Shevatim died on their birthdays, so Dan’s yahrtzeit is the 9th of Elul. He was laid to rest on the mountain near Eshtaol Forest (Shoftim 13:25) [approx. a ten-minute drive from Beit Shemesh]. 

Higher up, at the top of the same mountain, are the kevarim of Shimshon HaGibor and his father, Manoach. 

Dan’s son Chushim (Bereishis 46:23) was hard of hearing, and he beheaded Esav during Yaakov’s funeral for holding up the burial, in Kiryas Arba at Me’aras Hamachpelah (see Talmud Bavli, Maseches Sotah 13a).