In this week’s parsha Yackov blesses his grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe. When Yackov extends his hands to bless the children he switches his hands and puts his right hand (the stronger hand) on the younger son. Yosef tries to correct him but Yackov says he knows what he is doing.
Some have the custom of blessing their sons every week that they should be like Ephraim and Menashe. Why is this the blessing that we give to our children? Why Ephraim and Menashe and not Avraham or King David?
Everything came full circle in Yackov's life when he switched the brachot for his grandchildren. The medrash says since before Yackov was born he struggled with familial relationships. Yackov struggled with Esav in utero and during his entire upbringing. This sibling rivalry reached its apex when Yackov had to flee for his life from his brother Esav after an ordeal when Yiztchak, Yackov’s father gave Yackov the older’s song blessing instead of Esav who it belonged to.
In this parsha, Yackov was the one switching the brachot but the outcome was very different. Yosef is recorded as questioning his father regarding the switch, but Ephraim and Menashe did not say a word. They did not fight with each other, and this is why we bless our children to be like them. Instead of sibling rivalry they had brotherly love.
An under appreciated blessing is peace among family members, to have healthy relationships within a family is irreplaceable. This is what Ephraim and Menashe had. We are not supposed to rely on miracles , a healthy relationship does not occur without work, for us to enjoy this blessing we must work at. If we have good relationships we should appreciate the blessing we have.
Some have the custom of blessing their sons every week that they should be like Ephraim and Menashe. Why is this the blessing that we give to our children? Why Ephraim and Menashe and not Avraham or King David?
Everything came full circle in Yackov's life when he switched the brachot for his grandchildren. The medrash says since before Yackov was born he struggled with familial relationships. Yackov struggled with Esav in utero and during his entire upbringing. This sibling rivalry reached its apex when Yackov had to flee for his life from his brother Esav after an ordeal when Yiztchak, Yackov’s father gave Yackov the older’s song blessing instead of Esav who it belonged to.
In this parsha, Yackov was the one switching the brachot but the outcome was very different. Yosef is recorded as questioning his father regarding the switch, but Ephraim and Menashe did not say a word. They did not fight with each other, and this is why we bless our children to be like them. Instead of sibling rivalry they had brotherly love.
An under appreciated blessing is peace among family members, to have healthy relationships within a family is irreplaceable. This is what Ephraim and Menashe had. We are not supposed to rely on miracles , a healthy relationship does not occur without work, for us to enjoy this blessing we must work at. If we have good relationships we should appreciate the blessing we have.
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