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Most fascinating is the blessing Yakov gives to his grandchildren Efraim and Menashe. They become the paradigm for all future parents, who will bless their boys to "be like Efraim and Menashe." Why davka are these two singled out, among his many grandchildren?
Many answers are given, from the fact that these boys remained faithful even while cut off from their extended family, to the idea that they, alone, had a relationship with their grandfather (as opposed to Avraham and Yakov, or Yitzchak and the 12 Tribes).
But why does Efraim the younger achieve prominence over Menashe the elder? Is it to re-emphasize the point that merit, rather than pedigree, is ultimately the essential yardstick of excellence? (The merit being that Efraim’s descendants, namely Yehoshua, will be greater than those of Menashe).
I suggest there is another possibility. Look at the names of these two young men. Menashe’s name means: "Ki nishanee Elokim….et kal bait avi; G-d has allowed me to forget all that was my father’s house." Menashe represents the desire to separate from the past, to forget about where we come from and zealously embrace a brave new world. Like the Jews who left the "old country" and felt that Jewish traditions were passé and irrelevant in a more modern setting, Menashe symbolizes the well-known syndrome of trying to become "more
American than the Americans."
Efraim’s name means, "Hifranee Elokim b’eretz anyee; G-d has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Efraim – though he was the younger son – represents the maturity that comes from understanding that "new" is not always synonymous with "better," that the glitz and glitter of Egypt - like so many stops along the way in our long trek through the Diaspora - masked an oppressive, degrading culture. Efraim may not be older than his brother, but he may very well be wiser.
In the end, Yakov uses the singular "b’cha" rather than the plural, "ba-chem" to refer to the boys. Because, in a sense, each one of us, at some point, goes through this process of questioning our traditions and our time-honored values. Each of us must choose between the lure of flashy, trashy "Egypt" and the holiness of Israel.
Hopefully – like Yakov and Yosef – we will also make the right choice.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
