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Genesis 48:18 - Firstborn's right hand dispute?

Genesis 48:18 - בראשית 48:18

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל־אָבִיו לֹא־כֵן אָבִי כִּי־זֶה הַבְּכֹר שִׂים יְמִינְךָ עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ׃

English Translation

And Yosef said to his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.

Transliteration

Vayomer Yosef el-aviv lo-ken avi ki-ze habechor sim yemincha al-rosho.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶל־אָבִ֖יו לֹא־כֵ֣ן אָבִ֑י כִּי־זֶ֣ה הַבְּכֹ֔ר שִׂ֥ים יְמִינְךָ֖ עַל־רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶל־אָבִ֖יו לֹא־כֵ֣ן אָבִ֑י כִּי־זֶ֣ה הַבְּכֹ֔ר שִׂ֥ים יְמִינְךָ֖ עַל־רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bereishit 48:18) occurs during Yaakov Avinu's final blessings to Yosef's sons, Menashe and Ephraim. Yosef objects when Yaakov crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim (the younger son) instead of Menashe (the firstborn). This moment carries deep significance regarding the nature of leadership and Divine selection in Jewish tradition.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereishit 48:18) explains that Yosef saw through ruach hakodesh (Divine inspiration) that Yaakov was intentionally favoring Ephraim over Menashe, despite birth order. Yosef protested because he assumed his father was making a mistake, not realizing this was a deliberate act guided by Hashem's will.

Symbolism of the Right Hand

  • The right hand represents greater blessing and spiritual precedence (Sforno, Bereishit 48:14).
  • Yaakov's crossed hands symbolize that Divine choice sometimes supersedes natural order (Ramban, Bereishit 48:19).
  • This mirrors Yaakov's own experience receiving the bechora (birthright) over Eisav (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayechi 6).

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Berachos 8:5) derives from this episode that when blessing two people simultaneously, the more esteemed individual should be on the right side. This demonstrates how Torah leadership is determined by merit rather than solely by birth order.

Ephraim and Menashe's Legacy

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 97:3) notes that both sons were righteous, but Ephraim's descendants (like Yehoshua) would achieve greater spiritual leadership. This teaches that while firstborn status carries certain halachic privileges, true greatness depends on personal achievement in Torah and mitzvos.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 16b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the significance of the right hand in blessings and the order of precedence.
📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing Joseph's wisdom and his interaction with his father Jacob regarding the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yosef correct his father Yaakov when blessing his sons?
A: Yosef saw that Yaakov was placing his right hand on Ephraim (the younger son) instead of Menashe (the firstborn). According to Rashi (Genesis 48:17), Yosef thought Yaakov made a mistake because traditionally, the firstborn receives the primary blessing with the right hand. However, Yaakov intentionally switched his hands to show that Ephraim would become greater, as prophesied.
Q: What is the significance of the right hand in blessings?
A: In Jewish tradition, the right hand symbolizes greater strength and importance (Bereshit Rabbah 61:3). When giving blessings, the right hand is typically placed on the head of the one receiving the greater blessing. This is why Yosef expected Yaakov to place his right hand on Menashe, the firstborn. However, Yaakov deliberately switched his hands to show that Ephraim would be greater.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yaakov blessing Ephraim over Menashe?
A: This teaches that spiritual greatness is not determined by birth order but by merit. As the Ramban (Genesis 48:19) explains, Yaakov was guided by divine inspiration to recognize Ephraim's future greatness. This shows that Hashem's plan may override human expectations, and true leadership depends on righteousness, not just lineage.