Dan Like a Serpent, Dan Like a Lion Cub

In Parshas Vayechi, Yaakov Avinu blesses Dan that he will avenge his people, and that the tribes of Yisroel will be united as one. Dan will be a serpent on the road, a viper on the path, biting the horse's heels so that its rider falls backward, and Yaakov adds, "For Your salvation I await, Hashem" (Bereishis 49:16-18). The Abir Yaakov, following Rashi, explained that these verses allude to Shimshon, a descendant of Dan, who fought the Plishtim and united the Jewish people. He struck in guerilla fashion and then slipped away like a snake. His last victory came when he brought down the two pillars of the idolatrous temple (Shoftim 16:29), and his final prayer is hinted at in Bereishis 49:18. In Parshas V'zos HaBrachah Moshe Rabbeinu blesses Dan as a lion cub leaping from the Bashan (Devarim 33:22).