The Midrash (B"R 99) describes the arrangement (Rashi calls it a pact) where the tribe of Issachar was engaged in studying the Torah (presumably full-time) and the tribe of Zebulun engaged in trade to support them.
So I have several small and related (?) questions regarding this pact:
- Was this arrangement Jacob's order (within the blessing) or a voluntary arrangement between the two?
- Why did only the tribe of Issachar decide to engage in full-time Torah study?
- Why was his arrangement with the single tribe of Zebulun instead of all other tribes?
- Wasn't the Torah study of the Levi'ites ("יוֹרוּ מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ לְיַעֲקֹב וְתוֹרָתְךָ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל") enough for the rest of the tribes who provided them with sacrifices, tithes, etc?
- Was Zebulun exempt from supporting the Levi'ites as they supported other Torah scholars (Issachar)?
