In other years I admit it seemed unremarkable. This year, the passuk and mostly the Rashi, stays with me as it is that for which we all daven. Let's study them together and perhaps we will thereby earn the full realization of our prayers, or at least more focused davening.
It's the ambiguous phrase that concludes Yaakov's cryptic beracha to his Gad, "Many military forces will force themselves deep into [Gad] והוא יגד עקב - and he will overpower [them, turn them] on [their] heels.
The reference to their "heels" has elicited a range of commentaries. Seforno explains that Gad will watch the heels of their enemies as the latter flee in defeat. Rashbam interprets that Gad will see the heels of their brethren, as they will protect them until they are all safely settled. Invoking that עקב has referred to the cunningness of Yaakov Avinu, Ohr Hachayim has explained that Gad will successfully employ creative strategies against their enemies.
Why is Gad, who ultimately lived in the far reaches of the northeast of our land, so embattled? Rav Hirsch, following in the steps of many earlier commentators, explains that Gad lived near the border, absorbed the bold border incursions of unfriendly neighbors, and was always on guard against more. According to Rashi, Yaakov Avinu refers to the courage and commitment that Gad displayed in fulfilling his word to Moshe Rabbeinu; he led the nation in our battles to win the land from the Kna'anim and stayed with them until the land was well settled. Indeed, many years later as Gad was on the cusp of leading the Jews into our homeland, Moshe Rabbeinu's beracha also refers to Gad's battle-worn courage and integrity. He also notes that Gad's request to settle the land in the northeast made them the home to Moshe's burial spot. It was due to Gad's decision to stay in the northeast that Moshe was buried among jews. Though the precise place where Moshe's neshama ascended will always be a mystery, the area can be respectfully visited and appropriately venerated. Perhaps the juxtaposition of ideas hints to us that their commitment to the love of the legacy of Moshe Rabbeinu earned for them their successes in battle.
Yet, it is another Rashi that came alive this year like no other commentary. The heels that Yaakov mentions are the heels of every soldier of Gad. Yaakov Avinu blesses shevet Gad with the only beracha, as we know so well, that a nation at war wants to hear, i.e. that each and every soldier returns home "on his heels", healthy in mind and spirit.
Every tribal beracha is for the entirety of our people and is merely highlighted through the character and experiences of each tribe. What we would give to see this beracha, our ongoing prayer, well fulfilled during these times. May it be His will going forward.