This sheet on Genesis 48 was written by David Menachem for 929 and can also be found here
Jacob saves his greatest blessing for his grandchildren Ephraim and Menasseh. In his words, he establishes them as a paradigmatic blessing “By you shall Israel invoke blessings, saying, God make you like Ephraim and Menasseh.” (Genesis 48:20). It was not for naught that they merited this blessing. They are the first brothers from the beginning of human history that do not hate or envy each other.
The Book of Genesis tells of the challenge of establishing the quality of human brotherhood: Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers. Joseph took significal steps to repair their brotherhood. With his sons, it worked. Here, Jacob repeats the “mistake” with his grandchildren. Again, he prefers the younger brother over the older brother. He puts his right hand on the head of the younger Ephraim and his left hand on the head of the elder Menasseh. In this act, he acts almost like the prophecy that was told to his mother during her pregnancy: “Two nations are in your womb, two separate peoples shall issue from your body; one people shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
Joseph attempts to correct his father’s mistake, “‘Not so, Father,’ Joseph said to his father, ‘for the other is the first-born; place your right hand on his head’” (Genesis 48:18). Jacob explains his preference “yet the younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall be plentiful enough for nations” (Genesis 48:19). Menashe the first-born hears this piercing sentence and nevertheless, there is no trace of hatred in his heart about Ephraim, his younger brother.
The Book of Genesis tells of the challenge of establishing the quality of human brotherhood: Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers. Joseph took significal steps to repair their brotherhood. With his sons, it worked. Here, Jacob repeats the “mistake” with his grandchildren. Again, he prefers the younger brother over the older brother. He puts his right hand on the head of the younger Ephraim and his left hand on the head of the elder Menasseh. In this act, he acts almost like the prophecy that was told to his mother during her pregnancy: “Two nations are in your womb, two separate peoples shall issue from your body; one people shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
Joseph attempts to correct his father’s mistake, “‘Not so, Father,’ Joseph said to his father, ‘for the other is the first-born; place your right hand on his head’” (Genesis 48:18). Jacob explains his preference “yet the younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall be plentiful enough for nations” (Genesis 48:19). Menashe the first-born hears this piercing sentence and nevertheless, there is no trace of hatred in his heart about Ephraim, his younger brother.
Rabbi David Menachem is a musician, author, and paytan (poet in the style of medieval religious poetry called piyutim).
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