2021/5781
This week’s Parashah includes the famous Berachah that Yaakov Avinu gives to his grandchildren, Menashe and Ephraim. When Yoseif HaTzaddik comes with Menashe and Ephraim to Yaakov Avinu, Yaakov begins by saying that Ephraim and Menashe will be equal to Reuvein and Shimon. However, Yaakov suddenly stops the Berachah to talk about Rachel Imeinu dying BaDerech in Beit Lechem. This interjection is shocking and unnecessary. Moreover, only after recalling Rachel’s death, does the Torah tell the reader that Yaakov Avinu saw Ephraim and Menashe. Yaakov then asks who they are before giving them a Berachah. Did Yaakov Avinu not realize that Ephraim and Menashe were present when he gave his earlier Berachah?
Rashi (BeReishit 48:7 s.v. VaAni BeVoi MiPadan) writes that Yaakov Avinu mentions Rachel Imeinu while talking to Yoseif because he is asking Yoseif to do something which Yaakov himself failed to do for Rachel; he is asking Yoseif to burden himself and brink Yaakov’s body to Israel for burial. However, this explanation is still troubling because why would Yaakov remind Yoseif at this point as opposed to earlier, before mentioning Ephraim and Menashe, when Yaakov made the request. Rashi (BeReishit 48:8 s.v. VaYar Yisrael Et Bnei Yoseif) writes that Ephraim and Menashe were not present for the earlier part of the conversation until the Pasuk tells us that Yaakov saw them. Rashi writes that immediately preceding the Pasuk telling the reader, Yaakov had asked for Ephraim and Menashe to come to receive a Berachah.
Sforno (BeReishit 48:7 s.v. VaAni) writes that Yaakov was referring directly to his previous statement when he mentioned Rachel. Yaakov was telling Yoseif that even though Ephraim and Menashe are to be considered like Yaakov’s own sons, Yoseif should not think that this is because Yaakov was supposed to have more than the 12 he had, and because he sinned this did not happen, and thus he must include Ephraim and Menashe as his sons. This could not be true because Rachel died BaDerech.
Rav Yoseif Dov Soloveitchik (Chumash Mesorat HaRav p.353) believed that the interjection regarding Rachel was not random or unexpected. Rather, Yaakov was continuing the same message that he was articulating previously. In the preceding Pasuk, Yaakov had said that Ephraim and Menashe would be like his children. In other words, he was saying that Ephraim and Menashe, too, were part of Klal Yisrael and that Yaakov, himself was the father of the entire nation. Thus, the following Pasuk expresses the same message. Rachel’s roadside grave was a symbol of Jewish hope as we were exiled. She represents the mother of the entire nation praying on their behalf for their return. Having just stated that he was the father of the entire nation, including Ephraim and Menashe who were not his literal children, Yaakov Avinu tells Yoseif that Rachel Imeinu will be considered the mother of the entire nation, even those who are not her literal sons. Additionally, the Rav believes that both of these statements were intended for Yoseif to hear but Yaakov Avinu did not realize that Ephraim and Menashe were present.
Ultimately, as we await the Geulah every day, we must embrace the message of Yaakov Avinu. Rachel is the mother of us all as the reminder of our hope for redemption. May we merit the day speedily when we no longer need that reminder.