Jacob Blesses Menasseh and Ephraim

A lesson from Jacob's blessing to his grandson Efraim.

"[Jacob] blessed [Ephraim and Menashe] on that day, saying: With you, Israel will bless, saying, 'May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menashe,'" (Genesis 48:20). Why do Jewish parents continue to this day to bless their children to be like these two gr...

This drawing is based on the text from Genesis 48:14-21. When the time drew nigh that Jacob must die, he asked his son Joseph to come and bring his children, Manasseh and Ephraim, so he could bless them. Jacob crossed his hands, and put his right hand ove...

What is the essence of the disagreement between Joseph and Jacob during the giving of the blessings to Joseph’s children? A lesson in how to deal with hostility in our lives today.

Does Joseph think his father doesn’t know what he’s doing?

Some people just don’t appreciate the blessing that children bring. They figure there’ll be plenty of time in the future to settle down and get serious. Why not enjoy their lifestyle or build a career first.

Topics include: a mystical reason for why tefillin are made of leather, the connection between Jacob and Rabbi Akiba, and why Jacob did not bless two of his twelve sons.

Jewish women (myself included) are notorious for advertising their martyrdom...