Ephraim before Menashe

The Significance of Ephraim and Menashe’s Names
In Parashat Vayechi, Yaakov blesses his grandsons, Ephraim and Menashe, before his own sons. Their names hold deeper meanings:

• Menashe: Yosef named his firstborn Menashe, saying, “Ki Nashani Elokim, Be’eretz Onyi,” meaning Hashem made him forget his suffering in Egypt. The name also connects to “Gid HaNashe,” symbolizing movement—both spiritual ascent and descent.
• Ephraim: Derived from “Ki Yifrani Elokim,” meaning Hashem made Yosef fruitful. However, it also links to “efer” (ashes), representing the state of being burnt out but striving to rise again.

Yaakov’s Unique Blessing
Yaakov crossed his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim, the younger, and his left on Menashe, reversing the expected order. This switch highlights the importance of Ephraim’s symbolic role over Menashe’s.

The Torah elevates Ephraim and Menashe as the standard blessing for Jewish boys: “Yesimcha Elokim ke-Ephraim ve’ke-Menashe” (May Hashem make you like Ephraim and Menashe). This practice endures, emphasizing their unique role in Jewish spiritual growth.

Symbolism in Life’s Journey
Ephraim and Menashe represent the stages of spiritual growth:

• Ephraim: Ashes, or being burnt out, symbolize feeling depleted by life’s challenges and acknowledging one’s limitations.
• Menashe: Movement, both ascending and descending, mirrors the spiritual journey. Starting from ashes (Ephraim), a person must strive to move forward (Menashe), accepting both setbacks and progress as part of the process.

These stages reflect Rebbe Nachman’s teachings in Likutey Moharan lesson 24, emphasizing the journey through life’s challenges and the renewal of strength from low points.

The Challenge of Joy and Resilience
Rebbe Nachman teaches that the goal for a person, even amidst life’s challenges, is to work on being besimcha—finding ways to maintain a positive and joyful outlook. From a state of feeling burnt out, like ashes (efer), a person must summon strength and joy to rise and serve Hashem. This joy propels a person upward, level by level (lenashe, akin to Menashe), until reaching the keter—the spiritual pinnacle where mitzvot performed with joy are elevated.

The Test of the Keter
However, the keter is unique. It doesn’t allow continuous forward momentum. Instead, it pushes the person back down. This setback serves a purpose: it enables the person to build the spiritual vessels necessary to receive the Infinite Light, the clarity needed to navigate life’s challenges. The real test arises when, after tasting closeness to Hashem and experiencing spiritual light, a person feels as though the carpet is pulled from under them. They may ask, “Why, Hashem, did You abandon me?” Holding on to simcha even then is the key to emerging stronger, with the capacity to receive greater light.

Yaakov’s Hands: A Lesson in Intuition and Blessing
This dynamic is symbolized in Yaakov’s blessing to Ephraim and Menashe. The Torah says, sikel et yadav—Yaakov switched his hands, crossing them so his right hand rested on Ephraim, the younger son, and his left on Menashe, the elder. Rashi explains that Yaakov acted deliberately, with deep intuition. When Yosef protested, Yaakov reassured him, “Yadati bni, yadati”—“I know, my son, I know.”

Rebbe Nachman highlights that the word sikel also relates to sechel (intellect). By placing his hands on their heads, Yaakov transferred a bracha—blessing and wisdom. This parallels the concept of semicha, where the placement of hands represents transferring essence, whether in rabbinic ordination or offerings in the Beit HaMikdash.

Reb Noson says, “When a person is burnt out by the Yetzer Hara, their job is to gather the good that remains and start again.”

Navigating the Exchanged Chambers
Yaakov’s decision to prioritize Ephraim over Menashe reflects the reality of life in the exchanged chambers, a world of confusion and disorder. Ideally, one would first ascend (Menashe) and only then face the challenges represented by burnout (Ephraim). But life doesn’t always follow this order. Many feel tested before they’ve had a chance to prepare, leading to feelings of despair.

The Reality of Exchanged Chambers
In this world, everything is reversed. Truth is exchanged for falsehood, light for darkness, purity for impurity. Rebbe Nachman calls this the reality of exchanged chambers, where nothing aligns as it ideally should. Life begins in the realm of Ephraim, symbolizing being burnt out and trapped in confusion and despair. The challenge is not fair, and it often feels overwhelming. But the key question is: even if life is unfair, does that justify abandoning righteousness?

Rebbe Nachman’s story of the Exchanged Children illustrates this. The true prince, living as a slave, questions why Hashem has brought him such suffering. Though tempted by despair, he realizes he cannot justify his sins by blaming his circumstances. This shift in perspective sparks repentance and renewal.

The Role of Yosef, Ephraim, and Menashe
Yaakov’s switched hands symbolize this upside-down world. Life’s journey begins with challenges (Ephraim) before progressing to growth and achievement (Menashe). Yosef, the key to overcoming exile, embodies the power of enthusiasm, joy, and resilience. His fire kindles the strength to rise from ashes and climb to new levels, even after being pushed back.

Ephraim and Menashe, blessed by Yaakov before the other tribes, represent the tools needed to survive and thrive in exile: the courage to rebuild from destruction and the determination to rise again despite setbacks.

From Yosef to Yehuda
The ultimate goal is Yehuda—Lehodot, giving thanks to Hashem and living with joy. But before reaching that level, we must endure the trials of Ephraim, and Menashe. Their qualities prepare us for the challenges of exile, equipping us to persevere and hold on to faith.

Reb Noson’s Lesson on Rebuilding
Reb Noson shared a profound lesson from witnessing a homeowner salvaging materials from his burnt-down house. “This is life,” he told his followers. “When a person is burnt out by the Yetzer Hara, their job is to gather the good that remains and start again.” This perspective transforms despair into hope, allowing for renewal and growth even in the face of destruction.

The Eternal Blessing of Ephraim and Menashe
Yaakov’s blessing, Yisimcha Elokim ke’Ephraim u’keMenashe, remains relevant today. It encapsulates the ability to navigate life’s challenges, rebuild from ashes, and ascend higher even after setbacks. Through this blessing, we prepare ourselves for the ultimate redemption with the coming of Mashiach.

May we merit the strength and resilience of Ephraim and Menashe to hold on and rise anew, leading us to the joy and gratitude of Yehuda.

Shabbat Shalom and blessings to all.

Meir Elkabas