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Genesis 48:13 - Right hand, left hand—divine reversal?

Genesis 48:13 - בראשית 48:13

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח יוֹסֵף אֶת־שְׁנֵיהֶם אֶת־אֶפְרַיִם בִּימִינוֹ מִשְּׂמֹאל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת־מְנַשֶּׁה בִשְׂמֹאלוֹ מִימִין יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּגֵּשׁ אֵלָיו׃

English Translation

And Yosef took them both, Efrayim in his right hand toward Yisra᾽el’s left hand, and Menashshe in his left hand toward Yisra᾽el’s right hand, and he presented them to him.

Transliteration

Vayikach Yosef et-shneihem et-Efrayim bimino mismol Yisrael ve'et-Menasheh bismolo miyemin Yisrael vayagesh eilav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֣ח יוֹסֵף֮ אֶת־שְׁנֵיהֶם֒ אֶת־אֶפְרַ֤יִם בִּֽימִינוֹ֙ מִשְּׂמֹ֣אל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה בִשְׂמֹאל֖וֹ מִימִ֣ין יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּגֵּ֖שׁ אֵלָֽיו׃
וַיִּקַּ֣ח יוֹסֵף֮ אֶת־שְׁנֵיהֶם֒ אֶת־אֶפְרַ֤יִם בִּֽימִינוֹ֙ מִשְּׂמֹ֣אל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה בִשְׂמֹאל֖וֹ מִימִ֣ין יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּגֵּ֖שׁ אֵלָֽיו׃

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Parasha Commentary

Positioning of Ephraim and Menashe

The verse describes Yosef positioning his sons, Ephraim and Menashe, before their grandfather Yaakov for blessings. Rashi (Bereshit 48:13) explains that Yosef placed Ephraim—the younger son—on Yaakov's left side and Menashe—the firstborn—on Yaakov's right side, following the natural order where the elder receives greater honor. However, Yaakov later crosses his hands to give Ephraim the primary blessing (Bereshit 48:14), indicating Divine inspiration overriding conventional hierarchy.

Symbolism of the Right and Left Hands

The right hand traditionally represents strength and precedence in Jewish thought (Rambam, Hilchot Tefillin 4:25). By initially positioning Menashe on the right, Yosef followed the halachic principle of honoring the firstborn. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 97:5) suggests that Yaakov's crossed hands foreshadowed Ephraim's future spiritual greatness, as seen in Yehoshua (Joshua), a descendant of Ephraim, who would lead Israel into Eretz Yisrael.

Yosef's Intentions

Rabbeinu Bachya (Bereshit 48:13) notes that Yosef acted with pure intentions, seeking only proper honor for his sons without foreseeing Yaakov's altered blessing. The Talmud (Bava Batra 123a) derives from this episode that even a righteous person's plans may be altered by Divine decree when a greater spiritual purpose exists.

Lessons in Parenting and Divine Providence

  • Respect for Hierarchy: Yosef models proper respect for the firstborn's status while submitting to Yaakov's prophetic insight.
  • Divine Plan: The scene illustrates that human arrangements are subject to Divine will when greater spiritual outcomes are at stake.
  • Blessing Dynamics: The positioning becomes a paradigm for how blessings operate beyond natural order, as later reflected in Jewish tradition where we bless sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe (Rashi, Bereshit 48:20).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 16b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the blessings given by Jacob to Ephraim and Manasseh, highlighting the significance of the right hand in blessings.
📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about Joseph's actions and his role in the blessings given to his sons, emphasizing the reversal of hands and its implications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yosef place Ephraim on Yaakov's left and Menashe on his right?
A: Yosef positioned his sons this way because Menashe was the firstborn and traditionally deserved the greater blessing on the right side. However, Yaakov later crossed his hands to give Ephraim the primary blessing, showing that spiritual greatness isn't always determined by birth order (Rashi on Genesis 48:13-14).
Q: What is the significance of Yaakov crossing his hands when blessing Ephraim and Menashe?
A: Yaakov crossed his hands to place his right hand on Ephraim's head, indicating that Ephraim would become greater than his older brother Menashe. This teaches that Divine blessings are based on merit, not just birth order (Midrash Bereishis Rabbah 97:6).
Q: Why is this blessing of Ephraim and Menashe important in Judaism?
A: This blessing established that Jewish parents should bless their children every Friday night with the words 'May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe' (Genesis 48:20). These brothers represent unity - though one was greater, there was no jealousy between them (Talmud, Brachos 7a).
Q: What lesson can we learn from how Yaakov blessed Ephraim and Menashe?
A: We learn that spiritual potential isn't determined by age or status. Yaakov, guided by Divine inspiration, recognized Ephraim's greater spiritual qualities despite being younger (Ramban on Genesis 48:19). This teaches us to judge people by their merits, not external factors.
Q: How does the blessing of Ephraim and Menashe apply to Jewish life today?
A: The blessing reminds us that every Jew has unique spiritual potential. Just as Yaakov saw each grandson's individual qualities, parents today bless each child according to their special character. The Friday night blessing continues this tradition of recognizing each person's distinct path in serving G-d (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 71:4).