This week we finish reading the book of Genesis with Parshat Vayechi. This Torah portion begins by telling us that Yaakov lived for seventeen years in the land of Egypt and lived to be 147 years old. At the end of Yaakov’s life he gives blessings to all his children, even his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh. Why do we say every Shabbat at the end of services to our sons, May G-d make you like Ephraim and Manasseh? What is so special about Yosef’s two sons? There are a couple of answers to these questions.
The first answer is that Ephraim and Manasseh were the first children who had to maintain their identity as Jews in a foreign land. Another answer is that perhaps we are asked to be like them because they were the first brothers in the bible to get along peaceably with each other. They didn’t have conflicts like Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Yaakov and Esav, and especially Yosef and his brothers. Personally, I feel it is worth looking at who these individuals were to understand why we ask G-d to make us like them. Ephraim was someone who was strong and steadfast in his beliefs and became a G-d fearing man much like his father Yosef. His brother Manasseh on the other hand was quite a rebel rouser and misbehaved; he was as some would say of the derech. Later in Manasseh’s life he did repent and returned to the ways of G-d.
As we come to the close of this extremely difficult and painful year I would like us to look at the character of both of Yosef’s sons. There are those who seem to have no problem following the rules and doing the right thing, the Ephraim’s of the world. Most of us, myself included empathize more with Manasseh. Someone who struggled to do what is right but in the end saw the error of their ways and repented to God. It doesn’t matter if you have fallen short in your goals for yourself for this year. We cannot all be Ephraim, However we can all better a better person than we were the day before, the year before, etc.
We can see the errors of our ways and ask for forgiveness be it from God or those we have wronged. So for those of you who enjoy making New Year’s resolutions, I ask you to really give this one some thought. Ask yourself, what kind of person do I want to be in this coming year? What kind of impact do I want to have and what do I want to be remembered for? As we have learned this year, life is precious and cannot be taken for granted. Make every day count and if you feel yourself falling short, acknowledge that like Manasseh did and pledge to be a better person with your actions.
Happy New Year, Cantor Diamond
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CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE
Mazal Tov to Stacy Ring, daughter of Debbie and Glenn Ring, on her engagement to David Haimovich.
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