Shabbat Message: VaYechi Assimilation is probably one of the greatest challenges the Jewish people have faced through the millennia. When persecuted and forced to live in Ghettos, it is easy to maintain our Jewish identity. Our faith may be tested, but we persevere. But, how do we maintain our Jewish identity within a nation, like the United States, where we are accepted? Many of us hold high positions in industry, politics, art and culture. Unfortunately, we often see generations of Jews losing their identities in the warm welcoming arms of America. This is the very problem Joseph, who became a powerful figure in Egyptian politics, faced. This week, we read the final portion of the book of Genesis. Everything we have read so far has led us to this point. Abraham’a small family has grown quite sizable and is prospering in the Egyptian province of Goshen. As Jacob (Israel) nears death, he prepares to bless Joseph’s sons. The Torah describes a very puzzling scene. “Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left and Menasheh in his left hand towards Israel’s right, and brought them near him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Menasheh’s head, even though Menasheh was the firstborn. When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Menasheh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” ”Genesis 48:13-14 Hadn’t Jacob learned anything from his history? After all, much of the family’s troubles faced over the years were a direct result of showing favoritism of the younger over the older. Joseph recognized this and questioned his father’s motives. However, Jacob insisted on blessing Ephraim first before Menasheh. Why was Jacob insistent on this? The answer lies in the names Joseph chose for his sons, the first of Jacobs grandchildren born in exile. They show two different approaches to dealing with the dilemma of living in the diaspora. His firstborn, Menasheh, means: “God has made me forget [nasheh] all my trouble and all my father’s household.” Menasheh, having been born right before the years of famine, represents Joseph’s attempt to forget where he came from and bury the painful years of turmoil that he had faced, from first being sold into slavery to the end of his prison sentence. After his elevation to power, Joseph lived a luxurious life full of all the trappings of someone in power. The painful memories of his past were forgotten. Joseph’s other son, Ephraim, on the other hand means “For God has made me fruitful [fara] in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:50–52 The naming of the younger Ephraim, shows an evolution in Joseph’s attitude. No longer impressed with the trappings of this powerful modern world, Joseph realized that the the true blessing lies in integrating within the chosen society, without losing sight of who he really was. This is the reason Jacob insists on blessing Ephraim first. He wanted to show future generations that we may become successful in our adopted countries, but we should never lose our identities. So, as we enjoy our acceptance in the United States and the Coachella Valley, we should stay diligent in remembering and celebrating our Jewish identity. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Andrew Allan-Bentley
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 16:56:16 +0000
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