Summary: The book of Genesis comes to an end. Jacob and Joseph both die. Joseph pledges to bury Jacob back in Canaan. Jacob blesses Efraim and Manessah. Each of the 12 sons gets a blessing. Jacob’s bones are carried back to the Machpelah in Hebron. Our narrative ends with the promise that the family will eventually return to Canaan.
Lesson: According to Jewish tradition, on the eve of Shabbat and holidays, before reciting kiddush, parents bless their children. Sons are blessed with these words: "May God inspire you to live like Ephraim and Manasseh."1 Rashi teaches that the blessing for boys is based on this week’s portion, when Jacob blesses his grandsons, the sons of Joseph.
It’s interesting to note that our tradition doesn’t offer an equivalent blessing for daughters. But there is a blessing in the Book of Ruth (4:11) that comes close: "May God make the woman who is coming into your house [Ruth] like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built up the House of Israel." And so, in many Jewish homes today, one or both parents offer a blessing to their daughters: "May God inspire you to live like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah."
As a child, our family celebrated Shabbat together each week. We lit candles, said Kiddush over the wine and ate sweet challah. However, my favorite memory was when my mother and father would place their hands on our heads, and in the spirit of our Torah portion this week, bless us with these traditional words.
You don't have to be a rabbi or a cantor to offer a blessing. We have the opportunity to create this warm and last memory each and every Shabbat when we place our hands on the heads of our children and grandchildren (or in their absence, nieces, nephews, or on other loved ones) With this blessing, we ask God to inspire them to perform acts of tikkun olam, and to experience the joy that flows from Shabbat and the wisdom that streams from study of Torah.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Goor and Cantor Kent