The Torah section that is read right after Chanukah describes our Patriarch Jacob’s final farewell to the Twelve Tribes gathered at his bedside before his passing.

This historic blessing was preceded by an intriguing sleight of hand, as Jacob, aka Israel, extended his hands to bless his grandchildren Menashe and Ephraim. Joseph had placed the older Menashe at Jacob's right, but-

”Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, [though] he was the younger, and his left hand upon Menashe's head, [though] Menashe was the firstborn, crossing his hands...

Joseph said: "Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."

But his father refused, and said: "I know, my son, I know. He, too, will become a nation; he, too, will be great. But his younger brother shall be even greater than he." (Genesis 48:14-19)

This competition over parental blessings in sibling rivalry goes back to our father Abraham. But in those other cases, there were clear character, behavioral and personality differences that separated Ishmael from Isaac, and Esau from Jacob. Those eldest were undeserving of the coveted blessings, which were therefore transferred to younger siblings who had proven themselves worthy to uphold the family standards and legacy.

Both Menashe and Ephraim, however, were decent and upright, so why did Jacob bypass the oldest child’s inherent ‘right’ over Joseph’s objection?

The commentaries explain that Jacob foresaw prophetically the destinies of the tribes in a later era, when Ephraim would gain the upper hand. That explains Jacob’s action on a futuristic level, but let us also understand Jacob’s reasoning in the “here and now,” as it relates to us today.

Although ancient, the Torah’s teachings are timeless and eternal. What is the relevance of this esoteric episode to us today? Indeed, Jacob clearly states that this was not limited to Ephraim and Menashe, but was to be the model parental blessing for all time.

Indeed, Jacob’s concluding words “May G-d bless you as Efraim and Menashe” echo through the generations, reverberating in the emotional Yom Kippur Eve blessings to this very day. Some families also extend this “Ephraim and Menashe” blessing weekly on Friday nights before the Shabbat meal.

It is also surprising that Jacob singled out only these two grandchildren, from all of his other grandchildren. Jacob had suffered the sad consequences of showing favoritism to one child, which triggered the jealousy between the brothers, who then sold Joseph into slavery.

Jacob begins by telling Joseph: "Your two sons who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came, they are mine: Ephraim and Menashe, as Reuven and Shimon they will be to me."

Unlike Jacob’s other grandchildren who were born and raised in a traditional Jewish ambiance in the Land of Israel, Menashe and Ephraim lived in a materialistic culture in faraway Egypt. Exposed and vulnerable to alien influences, Jacob felt that these two youths needed the extra protection of his blessings to resist the pulls and perils of the surrounding assimilation in the Diaspora.

Two Aspects of “Galut”
Specifically, Menashe and Ephraim represent two distinct stages in the challenge of coping with the “Galut” exile experience, and the rewarding opportunities it offers.

Their two names reflect the various stages in Joseph’s struggle to maintain his identity amid exile’s trials and tribulations. Even while fully engaged as a high- ranking administrator who answered to the Pharaoh, Joseph retained his family’s values.

The Hebrew name Menashe denotes forgetting: "Because G-d caused me to forget my difficulty and pain and my father's house" (Genesis 41:51). Joseph’s concern here is to not forget where he came from. Yearning to stay connected to his roots, he kept in mind his father’s saintly visage that saved him from temptation.

But Joseph was not content merely to survive; he aspired to thrive. Instead of just maintaining the status quo, Joseph transformed his challenges into positive energy. Ephraim denotes growth: "G-d caused me to be fruitful (hifrani) in the land of my affliction." Joseph expresses his hope and prayer to be productive even amid affliction.

Two Aspects of Chanukah
These two stages are central to the Chanukah story. First, the Maccabees had to deal with the physical threat of King Antiochus’ armies.
After repelling the forces of darkness, the Maccabees focused all their efforts on spreading the light. They searched for proper pure oil to rekindle the Holy Temple’s Menorah, to shine forth and illuminate all of Israel.

Two Aspects of American Jewry
Looking back at the past century, we observe similar stages in the development of the American Jewish community.

In the first half of the last century, waves of Jewish immigrants came to these shores to find safe haven and refuge. While struggling to make a living, they tried not to lose contact with their origins. They organized burial societies and formed benevolent Landsleit organizations to memorialize their “old country” shtetl hometowns.

Fearful of persecution, they established anti-discrimination and anti-defamation leagues. While their defensive efforts are praiseworthy, they only maintained the status quo. With little memory of the shtetl traditions, the next generation lost its distinct Jewish flavor as it slowly blended into the melting pot.

The latter part of the century, however, turned toward strengthening Yeshiva and Hebrew Day School education, and dynamic outreach programs critical to continuity. Instead of fearing the prevailing freedoms, we are learning to utilize our rights to affirm and express Jewish identity.

Take Chanukah for example: Once limited to a quiet observance in the privacy of the home, Chanukah today has gone public! Thanks to Freedom of Religion, public menorahs have sprouted from the lawn across the White House in Washington to malls and town squares throughout the country, and the world.

Chronologically, the firstborn represents the first stage in surviving a threatening environment. But “Ephraim” dares to flourish and blossom, utilizing the very challenges as catalysts for growth and expansion.

Let “Ephraim” be our primary goal and vision. Jacob was right to declare: "Menashe, too, will be great; but his younger brother shall be even greater than he."

Sabbath Eve Blessings by Moritz Oppenheim (1800-82), known as the "Painter of the Rothschilds,
and the Rothschild of Painters." From Oppenheim's 20-painting Traditional Jewish Family Life series.