Menashe and Efraim

Summarized by Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon

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This shiur is dedicated in honor of the birth of Yosef Netanel, born to Naomi and Ari Zivotofsky ('80). Mazal Tov!

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            Menashe and Efraim take on special importance in our parasha.  Firstly, they are considered by Yaakov as if they were his own sons, and hence they are entitled to all that is due to any of the shevatim - "Efraim and Menashe will be to me like Reuven and Shimon."  Then, at a later stage, Efraim and Menashe receive an even greater zekhut than the rest of the tribes: "By you shall Israel bless, saying: May God make you as Efraim and Menashe."  For all generations to come, when a father blesses his son, he will bless them that they should become like Efraim and Menashe.

            This requires some explanation.  What was the unique greatness of Efraim and Menashe?  Why do we not bless our sons by invoking the names of the Avot, following the example of the way in which we bless our daughters: "May God make you like Sara, Rivka, Rachel and Leah?"  It would seem that we should bless our sons, "May God make you like Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov," or even "...like all the tribes of Israel."

            The answer is to be found in Yaakov's words at the beginning of the chapter, when he compares Efraim and Menashe to Reuven and Shimon: "And now your two sons who were born to you BEFORE I CAME TO YOU IN EGYPT, they are mine. Efraim and Menashe will be to me like Reuven and Shimon..."  Yaakov chooses specifically those two sons who were born to Yosef in Egypt before Yaakov's arrival there.  Inherent in this very fact we find the explanation for their being singled out.

            Efraim and Menashe were born and brought up in a foreign country, far away from Yaakov and his family.  Despite this isolation, they grew up firmly rooted in Jewish tradition.  All those who followed them were born when all of benei Yisrael, the entire family, were already in Egypt, and for them the challenge of remaining within the tradition and the family would be much less difficult.

            Yaakov himself, during the many years that he spent with Lavan, lived isolated from his family.  According to the midrash, he later declared that he had passed the test of "I lived with Lavan and kept the 613 mitzvot." Yaakov also knew that his descendants were destined to spend many long years in galut, away from "home," and he was afraid for their religious fate.  Would they be able to follow his example and remain faithful to the Torah even when far removed from their familiar surroundings?

            Menashe and Efraim demonstrated to Yaakov that his example while living with Lavan was not a one-time phenomenon.  They, too, despite their isolation from the family, were steadfast in their faith.  This was their unique characteristic, and this is what rendered them worthy of their elevated status.

(Originally delivered on Leil Shabbat, Parashat Vayechi 5753.

Translated by Kaeren Fish.)