In this week’s parsha, as we come to the conclusion of The Book of Genesis, our father Jacob dies and we bid farewell to the Patriarchs and the Matriarchs. Next week, with the Book of Exodus, we commence the story of the Jewish people.

Jacob, on his death bed, blesses all his children, assigns them their unique missions and also chastises them for their failings. He singles out however, his two grandsons, Ephraim and Menashe, the sons of Joseph, and adopts them as his own: “And now your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt before my coming to you, shall be mine; Ephraim and Menashe shall be like Reuven and Simon” (Genesis 48:5) Additionally, Jacob gives the two lads a special blessing and proclaims “By you shall Israel bless, saying ‘May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe’” (Genesis, 48:20)

At first glance, this elevation of Ephraim and Menashe is somewhat puzzling, but there is a deep teaching therein. These two boys grew up in Egypt, in a land that was renowned for its immorality, corruption and decadence. Moreover, they grew up in the opulence and luxury of the palace - and more significantly, they were the only Jewish children in the land of Egypt. And yet, despite it all, their commitment and faith in G-d remained unswerving and they were as dedicated to Judaism as the sons of Jacob. This, in and of itself, is a phenominal feat, for usually, with the passage of each generation, there is a spiritual downturn as each generation becomes one step further removed from its source. But Ephriam and Menashe reversed that process. They linked themselves to the previous generation as though they had been born to be tribal patriarchs. Thus they defied the odds and reached beyond the spiritual level with which they had been born.

Now we can more readily understand the blessing which Jacob proclaimed, “By you shall Israel bless, saying ‘May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe’, for even as Ephraim and Menashe withstood the ultimate test and were able to maintain their high standard of faith in a hostile environment, so to this very day, every Jewish parent prays that no matter where destiny may take their children, they will remain staunch, loyal Jews, upholding Torah and mitzvos, so on the eve of the Sabbath, and on the eve of Yom Kippur, parents pronounce the ancient words of Jacob and bless their children with these immortal words: “May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe.

There is yet another reason why Ephraim and Menashe were chosen to be the ultimate role models for our children - They were free of jealousy and arrogance and rejoiced in each other’s attributes and success. As our father Jacob was about to expire, he called upon his children to unite, teaching us that in our unity, we will find blessing and strength. Jacob wanted to reveal the date of our final redemption, but G-d precluded him from doing so. For a moment he became agitated. Could it be, he wondered, that G-d was denying him this privilege because his children were unworthy? The Tribes, sensing their father’s distress, called out in unison, “Shema Yisrael, HaShem Elokeinu, HaShem Echod!”

Be sure to say the Shema with concentration, feeling and commitment.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Osher

Parshas Vayechi 15 Teves 5764
Candle Lighting Time, Fri. Jan. 9, 4:27 PM
Shabbos ends, Sat. Jan. 10, 5:33 PM