Choosing the younger – Vayyechi
By this week’s sidra the narrative focusses on grandchildren, though Menasseh and Ephraim are not the only grandsons to be mentioned in B’reshit.
Grandfather Jacob wants to give a blessing and decides that the younger son deserves it.
Joseph reminds his father that Menasseh is the older, not Ephraim. “I know, my son, I know,” says Jacob.
We expect the two boys to argue over Jacob’s plan. Strangely, no argument takes place: the long chain of family quarrels is over and the two boys accept their grandfather’s choice.
What is Jacob’s motivation? As a younger son himself he knows that older sons – for all their good points – are sometimes unfitted to bear the responsibility of spiritual leadership.
His hand of blessing chooses the more suitable son.
