Parshas Vayechi 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
ועתה שני בניך הנולדים לך בארץ מצרים עד באי אליך מצרימה לי הם אפרים ומנשה ... (מח-ה)
Feeling his end is near, Yaakov has a heartfelt conversation with Yosef. He begins by stating that Yosef’s sons Menashe and Ephraim, born prior to Bnei Yisroel’s descent to Mitzrayim, are “mine” - equal to Reuven and Shimon. All the children born after, are associated with Yosef directly. Shouldn’t the children raised not in Yaakov’s presence be more connected to Yosef?
R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l learns from here an insightful window into chinuch and how far it must reach. When a child is in your home or sitting in the Bais Medrash, they are easier to control. Each move and decision can be advised by the parents and Rabbeim when in their presence. The goal, however, is for these lessons to be long-lasting, and affect the child after they are no longer in the company of those guiding them. The lessons should direct self-decisions. Therefore, Yosef raising children just as Yaakov would have done while alone in Mitzrayim, proved to Yaakov that his chinuch had been successful, and these children were his product. But raising children in his presence was less of a kuntz.
How was Yosef successful in doing this? A man once came home earlier than usual, and overheard his wife putting the children to sleep. Singing Hamalach she said "המלאך הגואל אותי מכל", paused then continued, "רע יברך את הנערים". The husband was disturbed why "רע" - “bad” would bless his children, but his wife was adamant that this was how her parents had said it.
Together, the couple went to the Skulener Rebbe zt”l to seek guidance. The Rebbe told them that on Friday night when the “good” Malach blesses the home, we accept the “Amen” and confirmation of the “bad” Malach. Hence, there is a place for a beracha from a מלאך רע, and the wife could continue her rendition. Seforim explain that Menashe’s name represents סור מרע, Yosef’s struggle in a foreign land, while Ephraim is עשה טוב, as they began to flourish there. Yaakov pulled Ephraim closer, because generally positivity breads success. But under the circumstances, Menashe served as Yosef’s direct assistant. There are instances where "רע יברך". Knowing this balance, is the best effort in raising children to be Avdei Hashem.