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Vayechi
(Genesis 47:28-50:26)
Blessings of Ephraim and Menashe
Jacob,
realizing he is about to die, gathers his 12 sons to receive a blessing.But
first, Jacob calls upon two of his grandchildren - Joseph's sons Ephraim and
Menashe - to receive blessings. Why would Jacob place priority on blessing
grandchildren over children?
The
commentators explain (and every grandparent knows) that the even more than the
joy of having children is the joy of having grandchildren. Why is this so?
Most creatures
in the world have parent-child relationships - whether it is a mother lion
protecting her cubs or a mother bird feeding her young. But only the human being
has a concept of grandchildren, of perpetuation beyond a single generation. This
is an effect of our spiritual soul which is rooted in infinity. Being a
grandparent therefore connects us deeply to our uniqueness as human beings.
SIBLING PEACE
There is
further significance to Jacob's blessings.
One of the most
beautiful customs in Jewish life is for parents to bless their children at the
start of the Friday night Shabbat meal. Girls receive the blessing: "May God
make you like the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah." Boys, meanwhile,
are blessed "to be like Ephraim and Menashe."
What happened
to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?! Why were Ephraim and Menashe chosen
instead as the subjects of this important tradition?
Ephraim and
Menashe were the first set of Jewish brothers who did not fight. Abraham's two
sons - Isaac and Ishmael - could not get along, and their disagreement forms the
basis of the Arab-Israeli conflict until today. The next generation of Isaac's
two sons - Jacob and Esav - were so contentious that Esav repeatedly sought to
kill Jacob and instructed his descendants to do the same. And even the next
generation of Jacob's sons sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt.
Ephraim and
Menashe represent a break from this pattern. This explains why Jacob purposely
switched his hands, blessing the younger Ephraim before the older Menashe. Jacob
wished to emphasize the point that with these siblings, there is no rivalry.
(See Genesis 48:13-14)
It is with this
thought that parents bless their children today. For there is no greater
blessing than peace among brothers. The words of King David ring true: "How
good and pleasant is it for brothers to sit peacefully together." (Psalms
133:1). This is the hope that God holds for all the Jewish people.
DIASPORA
DIFFICULTIES
Rabbi Shimshon
Rafel Hirsch (19th century
Germany)
offers another explanation of why Jewish boys throughout the ages receive the
blessing of Ephraim and Menashe:
The first
generations of Jews - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - raised their children primarily
in the Land of Israel. The Holy Land is the most hospitable Jewish environment,
where the Talmud reports that "even the air makes you wise." In one sense, being
Jewish in Israel is easy.
But due to
famine, Jacob and his family all moved to
Egypt.
The next generation would grow up surrounded by paganism and immorality. The
challenge was whether Judaism would survive amidst all the distractions of
diaspora life.
Throughout the
ages, Jewish parents have prayed that their children should be able to withstand
the temptations of exile, and keep a strong, proud Jewish identity.
And it is not
an easy task. Faced with the reality of Xmas season, for example, the easy
option is to relegate one's Jewish identity to the back burner. That's why
parents must constantly fight the tide by emphasizing Jewish values. The most
effective tools are high-impact experiences like Jewish day schools and trips to
Israel.
In the end, how
does a parent gauge success?
Far more than
children, it is grandchildren who reveal the foundation and future direction of
a family line. Hence the popular saying: "The issue is not whether you have
Jewish children, it's whether you have Jewish grandchildren."
What was the
outcome with Ephraim and Menashe? Despite great odds, they grew up in Egypt and
maintained adherence to Torah ideals and practice. Which is why we bless our
children to be like them.
May we all be
blessed with proud Jewish children - and grandchildren.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shraga Simmons
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