(2012/5772)

In this week’s Parashah, Yosef brings his two sons to the ailing Ya’akov for a Berachah, and arranges for Menasheh, the elder, to be blessed with Ya’akov’s right hand, and for Efrayim, the younger, to be blessed with Ya’akov’s left hand. However, before giving the renowned blessing, Ya’akov crosses his arms and puts his right hand, the prominent one, on top of Efrayim. As Rashi (BeReishit 48:14, s.v. Sikeil Et Yadav) explains, Ya’akov does this act willingly, knowing full well that Menasheh is the Bechor and that Ephraim is not. Why does Ya’akov choose to act in this peculiar manner?

Soon after, Ya’akov begins the Berachah, and the Pasuk states (BeReishit 48:16), “HaMal’ach HaGo’eil Oti MiKol Ra Yevareich Et HaNe’arim VeYikarei Vahem Shemi,” “May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them.” On this first half of the Berachah, further questions can be raised. Firstly, why does Ya’akov make reference to the “Mal’ach HaGo’eil” – why bless the boys with this protection, and not the protection of Hashem Himself? Furthermore, why does Ya’akov say, seemingly arrogantly, that his own name should be declared on his grandsons? There are two basic approaches taken to answering these questions, and I believe that the differences highlight fundamental understandings of our nation.

According to Rashi (ad. loc. s.v. HaMal’ach HaGo’eil Oti), Ya’akov is giving Menasheh and Efrayim the blessing that they will be protected by the same angel who regularly helps him in his times of distress. For example, regarding the difficult situation at Lavan’s house in Parashat VaYeitzei (31:11-13), the angel appears to Ya’akov and promises that the promise of “UShmarticha BeChol Asher Teileich,” “I will guard you wherever you go” (28:15) will be fulfilled. Similarly, Ramban (48:16, s.v. VeYikarei BaHem Shemi) explains that Ya’akov blesses the boys to have his name declared upon them because he will be a positive name to be associated with them, along with the names of Avraham and Yitzchak.

On the other hand, Seforno (48:16, s.v. VeYikarei BaHem Shemi VeSheim Avotai Avraham VeYitzchak) explains that Ya’akov blesses Menasheh and Efrayim with the task of carrying the names of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov to create a goal for the boys. They should be blessed with the ability to develop Yir’at Shamayim on the level of their forefathers, and by succeeding in that respect, they will merit in being associated with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov.

These understandings are everlasting, and have strong implications to us today. Many lead life according to the standard of Rashi and Ramban, assuming that they will turn out okay because of the free merits that are awarded to them by being part of Bnei Yisrael. This attitude is sometimes fine, but often doesn’t allow for personal growth and uniqueness – it is a small blessing that is most beneficial to disconnected Jews that need encouragement and some connection to Am Yisrael who would otherwise be meritless. However, to fully succeed and merit the full, right-handed Berachah of Ya’akov Avinu, we must make names for ourselves and earn the right to share the “Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, VEilokei Ya’akov.”

In fact, these Berachot of Ya’akov are exemplified in Tanach. Rashi (48:19, s.v. Yada’ti Veni Yada’ti) says that Gid’on the Shofeit descends from Menasheh and (ad. loc. s.v. VeUlam Achiv HaKaton Yigdal Mimenu) that Yehoshua descends from Efrayim. Menasheh, the receiver of the left-hand Berachah, has Gid’on as a descendant. While Gid’on is a great leader and savior of the Jewish people, his victories and other successes are mostly guided by miracles from Hashem; therefore, Gid’on in many respects has his merits handed to him. On the other hand, Efrayim, the receiver of the right-hand Berachah, the more prestigious of the two, has Yehoshua as a descendant. Unlike Gid’on, Yehoshua proves that he is a virtuous leader regarding the incident of the Meraglim, and not only benefits from the miracles of Hashem, but also goes all out to teach Torah to Bnei Yisrael.

We recite “HaMal’ach HaGo’eil” every night before going to sleep, reminding ourselves that the dual-Berachah of Ya’akov continues to apply to our generation, the descendants of Menasheh, Efrayim, and the other Shevatim. While we are lucky enough to have the free honor of being descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov, we will only truly be associated with the greatness of our forefathers if we live up to our own challenges and become successful leaders with our own merits and virtues.