We want to combine the spiritual powers of a Jew with the physical

“But Yisrael stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim’s head… the younger one, and his left hand on the head of Menashe.” (Bereishis 48:14)

I

stead of Yaakov crossing his hands to bless Yosef’s sons, why didn’t he simply change the positions of the two boys and place Ephraim on his right side and Menashe on his left?

Yosef possessed two strong characteristics — he was a man of spirit and a man of action. That’s how he was able to be the ruler of a country as well as a giant in Torah.

However, in his children, these two traits were split. Menashe, a leader, was appointed over the house of Yosef, while Ephraim learned Torah. (Rav Shimon Schwab, Maayan Beis Hashoeivah)

I know a guy, let’s call him Danny.

Danny was a typical Lakewood kollel guy who spent his days learning. His wife, who juggled two jobs, was proud that her work supported his Torah. To their great fortune, Hashem granted them one beautiful wunderkind after another, bestowing nachas far and wide (within the extended family, of course.) Then, one day, Danny realized that these precious souls needed food to eat, and unless he won the lottery, he would need to seek his fortune.

To actually bodily move Menashe to the side would devalue the power of leadership. Klal Yisrael needs both types of people — a central ruler to lead them and a leader of Torah. Therefore, Yaakov put just his right hand on Ephraim, to show that while both characteristics are necessary, the Torah is more vital than all other traits. Furthermore, by crossing his hands over their heads, Yaakov was once again linking both traits, combining them into one.

He was a resourceful guy, our Danny, and what my grandfather would have called a “handler.” He was good with people, creative, savvy, and determined, and in just a short time, he’d hopped aboard the get-rich-quick Amazon bandwagon. Although the formula seemed to be taking its time, Danny wasn’t deterred by slow sales. He brokered, he sold, he lost some and won some and was grateful that so far, the wolf was staying far from their townhouse door.

This is why this brachah is given on the day of milah. Through the removal of the orlah, the physical body is able to take on the holiness of Bnei Yisrael. At that time, we want to combine the spiritual powers of a Jew with the physical, and so we bless this child that he should be able to utilize these two powers.

We continue to bless our children with this brachah throughout their lives, praying that they should have both traits — but always recognize that the power of Torah is paramount.

It was a typical Tuesday in Danny’s life, and he was up to his knees in fire safety sprinkling systems. (Or maybe up to his eardrums?) Juggling several phone lines and computer sites, he was plying his trade while setting up contracts for his spectacular sprinkler specials. Then he got a phone call that changed his life. A friend of a friend… (Did I mention that Danny was a friendly guy? It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.) Apparently none other than the Hilton Group was looking to upgrade their hotels’ sprinkling systems.

The happy ending is something that most dream of. Within a short time, our Danny was a millionaire. But our hero doesn’t disappoint, because his story doesn’t end with him riding off into the sunset with his millions.

As his bank account appeared to be comfortably cushioned, Danny wisely invested the money and then — the beauty of this still blows my mind — Danny went back to being a full-time Lakewood kollel man. He’s still sitting and learning today.

Mission accomplished. Let’s get back to the real deal.

Maybe he’s not so typical after all, our Danny.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 724)