Audio Summaries of the daily Chumash portions In loving memory of Ousher Zelig ben Myer HaLevi Z”L

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Yaakov's Blessing to Yosef and His Sons

Yaakov's eyes had become heavy with age, making it difficult for him to see, so he beckons Yosef and his sons closer and kisses and hugs them.

Yaakov exclaims to Yosef, "I did not dare imagine that I would ever see you again, and here G-d has granted me to see your offspring!"

Yosef removes his sons from Yaakov's knees and places them seated in front of Yaakov in preparation for them to receive his blessings and bows down to Yaakov out of respect. He places Menashe to Yosef's left, which was Yaakov's right and Ephraim to Yosef's right, which was Yaakov's left. Menashe was the firstborn so it was befitting for him to be to the right (the more honored position) of Yaakov.

Although Yaakov was aware of the birth order of his grandsons, he consciously places his right hand on Ephraim and his left hand on Menashe.

Yaakov proceeds to bless Yosef, praising G-d before whom Abraham and Yitzchok walked, and who has served as Yaakov's shepherd his entire life.

Yaakov then blesses Ephraim and Menashe, summoning the angel who is regularly sent to him during difficult times. He says that this angel should bless Ephraim and Menashe that his and Avraham and Yitzchok's names should be declared upon them and that they should have many offspring, like fish (and similar to fish, they should be sheltered from the evil eye).