Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: Joseph was disturbed that Jacob placed his right hand on Ephraim, and he attempted to adjust his father's hands. "I know, my son, I know," Jacob responded, explaining that the "younger brother will be greater, and his children['s fame] will fill the nations." Jacob blessed the two boys further, saying that all of Israel will bless each other by saying: "May G‑d make you like Ephraim and Menashe."

Yosef panics when he sees Yaakov switch hands/blessings, but this was borne of the same theme discussed earlier. Yosef had to test his brothers to make sure they didn't become jealous when Binyamin got more presents than they did, and the brothers passed. Yaakov blessing Yosef's younger son more than the older might have created the same sort of jealousy, and Yosef had never tested his sons for their reaction. Yaakov's response was that he knew they would handle it well, and indeed they did. How did Yaakov know? Probably because Ephraim and Menashe had Yosef as a father, who instilled the proper values in his children. While Yosef tested his brothers, Yaakov didn't even see a need to test - Yosef's children's character was a given!

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