In this week’s parsha Vayechi, Yosef presents his two sons, Menashe and Ephraim to his father, Yaakov, so that their grandfather can bless them before he passes. Yosef presented Menashe, the firstborn, to Yaakov’s right side. Nonetheless, Yaakov switched his arms in order to give the loftier blessing to the younger son. When Yosef protests, Yaakov declares that both will have important progeny. But Ephraim’s descendants will accomplish more.
What was the real intent of Yaakov? Why slight Menashe in such an overt way? Even if Ephraim would be greater, is it necessary to “make a big tzimmes” about it?
The mystics, however, explain that Yaakov was setting forth the two important roles of the Jewish p… Read More »