As Jacob felt his end approaching, he instructed Joseph to bury his remains near those of his parents in Canaan. Although the Egyptians would have preferred Jacob's being buried in Egypt, Jacob made Joseph swear that he would not do so. He did not want his grave to be worshipped as a shrine.
Jacob awarded Joseph the double portion inheritance reserved for the firstborn. His two sons, Menashe and Ephraim, would be considered as two tribes, thereby receiving two portions in the Promised Land. Although Reuven was Jacob's firstborn, he had lost that privilege because Jacob felt he acted too impulsively after Rachel's passing, when he moved his father's bed to his mother Leah's tent. Jacob felt he was lacking leadership qualities.
Joseph brought his two sons to receive Jacob's blessings before he died. Joseph situated Menashe, the firstborn, to the right of Jacob, and Ephraim, the younger son, to his left. Jacob, however, crossed his arms and placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, and his left hand on Menashe. Joseph tried to correct his father, but Jacob refused. He explained that although Menashe was the older son, and would also be destined for greatness, Ephraim was the one who was destined for leadership, as his descendant Joshua would be the successor to Moshe. He was therefore deserving of the greater blessing.
Jacob's blessings to Ephraim and Menashe remain unique until today. It is customary for many to bless their sons, "May you be like Ephraim and Menashe." One reason for this is because although the greater blessing was given to the younger son, Ephraim, we find no jealousy between the two brothers. It is the prayer of every parent that this trait be fulfilled with our own children too. Another reason for using Joseph's sons as a blessing is because Ephraim and Menashe were both raised in the palace of Pharaoh, without much of a positive environment, yet they remained committed to Jacob's ideals. We aspire to similar results with our own children, too.
Jacob blessed all of his sons before his passing. He pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of each of his sons, and where they should concentrate their efforts. These traits were ingrained into the nature of each of the tribes, and would be reflected in many instances throughout Scriptures.
"...Do for me a kindness of truth . ." (Gen. 47:29)
The Midrash explains that the kindness done with the deceased is a kindness of truth, since there is no expectation of payment. A young father passed away leaving behind a five-year old son. The little boy was too embarrassed to say the Kaddish in the synagogue. The family brought the young orphan to the Steipler Rav to speak to him. The Steipler said to the boy, "My son, your father is now in a world of truth. If someone were to offer him all the silver and gold in the world, he would have no use for it. The only thing of value to him now is to hear your Kaddish. That would give him more pleasure than anything else." The following morning the boy eagerly recited the Kaddish.
Did You Know...
Once a person passes away, a shomer, or watchperson, should be appointed to stay with the corpse until the burial. Three reasons are given for this custom:
- To prevent animals from attacking the corpse,
- To protect the corpse from spiritual danger, and
- To show respect to the deceased by not deserting him.
