VAYECHI 1990

Why do we bless our children that they should be like Ephraim and Menashe? Why not like Reuven and Shimon or Levi and Yehuda?  The answer is because Menashe and Ephraim were not jealous of each other.  Even though the major blessing was given to the younger son, Ephraim, and the lesser blessing (the left hand of Jacob) to Menashe, Menashe did not demur and become jealous of his brother.  He recognized his brother's superior talent in the spiritual field while Ephraim recognized Menashe's superiority in the physical realm.  Menashe was Joseph's assistant.  He understood politics, governing, etc.  Ephraim was more concerned about learning and Torah, etc.
Throughout the whole Book of Bereshis one theme is constant and that is
the rivalry between brothers:  Yitzchak and Ishmael, Yaacov and Esau,
Joseph and his brothers.  Only Menashe and Ephraim were able to live peaceably.
In spite of their different gifts they were not jealous of each other.
Each of us has much to give the world.  We should not be jealous of each other's gifts.  We bless our children that they should be like Ephraim and Menashe:  true to their own talents and appreciative of the talents of their brothers and sisters.  Only in this way can the world develop and can there be true peace and brotherhood in the world.