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Genesis 48:20 - Ephraim before Menashe: Why?

Genesis 48:20 - בראשית 48:20

Hebrew Text

וַיְבָרֲכֵם בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמוֹר בְּךָ יְבָרֵךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר יְשִׂמְךָ אֱלֹהִים כְּאֶפְרַיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת־אֶפְרַיִם לִפְנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה׃

English Translation

And he blessed them that day, saying, By thee shall Yisra᾽el bless, saying, God make thee as Efrayim and as Menashshe: and he set Efrayim before Menashshe.

Transliteration

Vayevarechem bayom hahu lemor becha yevarech Yisrael lemor yesimcha Elohim ke'Efrayim vechiMenashe vayasem et-Efrayim lifnei Menashe.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְבָ֨רְכֵ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַהוּא֮ לֵאמוֹר֒ בְּךָ֗ יְבָרֵ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃
וַיְבָ֨רְכֵ֜ם בַּיּ֣וֹם הַהוּא֮ לֵאמוֹר֒ בְּךָ֗ יְבָרֵ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְשִֽׂמְךָ֣ אֱלֹהִ֔ים כְּאֶפְרַ֖יִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת־אֶפְרַ֖יִם לִפְנֵ֥י מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Blessing of Ephraim and Menashe

The verse (Bereshit 48:20) describes Yaakov Avinu's blessing to Ephraim and Menashe, establishing a precedent for future generations. Rashi explains that this blessing became the standard formula for fathers to bless their sons, as seen in the Friday night kiddush where we say, "May Hashem make you like Ephraim and Menashe."

Precedence of Ephraim Over Menashe

The Torah emphasizes that Yaakov placed Ephraim before Menashe despite Menashe being the firstborn. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 97:3) teaches that this reversal reflects the future greatness of Ephraim's descendants—specifically Yehoshua bin Nun, who would lead Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael. Ramban adds that this act symbolizes the transfer of the firstborn's rights, similar to Yaakov himself receiving the blessing over Esav.

Spiritual Significance of the Blessing

  • Unity in Exile: The Sforno notes that Ephraim and Menashe thrived in Mitzrayim without assimilating, making them models of Jewish resilience in diaspora.
  • Balance of Qualities: The Kli Yakar suggests Menashe represents worldly success ("forgetting hardship," as per his name), while Ephraim symbolizes spiritual fertility ("fruitfulness"). The blessing combines both ideals.
  • Leadership Legacy: The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) highlights that Ephraim's precedence teaches that leadership is earned through merit, not birth order alone.

Halachic Application

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 268:7) codifies the custom of blessing sons with "Yesimcha Elokim k'Ephraim v'chi'Menashe," reflecting Yaakov's eternal model. The Mishna Berurah explains this emphasizes raising children who remain steadfast in Torah values even in challenging environments.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 29a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the custom of blessing sons on Friday night, where parents bless their sons to be like Ephraim and Manasseh, following the precedent set by Jacob's blessing.
📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the blessings given by Jacob to his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, highlighting the precedence of Ephraim over Manasseh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the blessing 'God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh' mean?
A: This blessing, given by Jacob to his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh, signifies a special spiritual legacy. According to Rashi, Jacob elevated Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of his own sons (making them equal to the tribes of Israel). The blessing expresses the hope that future generations will emulate their righteousness and unity. Today, Jewish parents traditionally bless their sons with these words on Friday nights.
Q: Why did Jacob place Ephraim before Manasseh in the blessing?
A: As explained in the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 97), Jacob was guided by divine inspiration to place Ephraim before Manasseh, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. This teaches that spiritual greatness (symbolized by Ephraim's future role) takes precedence over birth order. The Ramban notes that this mirrors how Jacob himself received the birthright over his elder brother Esau.
Q: How is this verse relevant in Judaism today?
A: This verse establishes the custom for Jewish parents to bless their sons every Shabbat evening with the words 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.' The Talmud (Sotah 36b) explains this blessing endures because Ephraim and Manasseh maintained their Jewish identity despite growing up in Egypt. They represent the ideal of remaining faithful to Torah values in any environment.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh?
A: The Or HaChaim teaches that this episode demonstrates the importance of individualized blessings. Jacob crossed his hands to give each grandson the appropriate blessing for his unique path (Genesis 48:14). This teaches us that spiritual growth isn't one-size-fits-all - each person needs blessings tailored to their potential.
Q: Why are Ephraim and Manasseh special among Jacob's grandchildren?
A: As Rashi explains on Genesis 48:5, Jacob elevated Ephraim and Manasseh to the status of tribes equal to his own sons. The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayechi 6) notes they merited this because they were raised by Joseph who maintained Torah values in Egypt. Unlike Jacob's other grandchildren (born to pagan mothers), they fully carried forward Abraham's legacy.