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In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Vayechi, as Yaakov is on his deathbed, he gives out several brachot. One bracha is given out to the tribes, the second bracha is given to Yosef, which was also Yaakov stating his will, and the last brachot was given to Efraim and Menashe, Yosef’s sons.

When Yaakov was giving the brachot to Efraim and Menashe, Yosef placed Menashe, the firstborn, on the right and Efraim on the left. Yaakov began giving the brachot and crossed his arms, and placed his right hand on Efraim. Yosef questions himself, asking if he placed his sons incorrectly. Yaakov replies by explaining that he knows what he is doing. There are a number of approaches to why Yaakov switched his hands. One approach is that he wanted Efraim to get the better bracha, but crossing his arms made Yaakov look senile which was less embarrassing than changing the physical placement of his grandsons.

Another more mystical approach is that Yaakov switched the brachot because To Yaakov both Efraim and Menashe symbolize different parts of Yosef’s life.When Yosef gives his son’s their names Efraim’s name is more positive “הפרני ” refers to when God blessed Yosef to be fruitful; whereas Menashe’s name indicates a negative time of Yosef’s life. ”נשני ”, translates to being cut off from one’s roots. Yaakov by switches his hands emphasized to Yosef and us that one's roots are important to their identity and one should not be cut off from where you come from. Yaakov wanted to stress the symbolism in Efraim’s name; therefore placing his right hand on Efraim.

Many do not notice that there is a difference of behavior when Yaakov blesses the tribes and Efraim and Menashe. When blessing his grandsons, Yaakov is cautious of not hurting or embarrassing them. Whereas, Yaakov rebuke some of his sons, such as Shimon and Levi, for the destruction of Shechem and the plot against Yosef.

Though Menashe’s name refers to forgetting one’s roots, we learn that roots are important. Remembering where you come from, keeps you in touch with your family and have a strong relationship with them. It also lets you learn about your ancestry and understand where you came from. While away from home this year it is very easy to forget where you come from while forging your own identity, one must remember to keep connection with our families and our roots because one can not mature without a nod to the past.