It is customary on Shabbat to bless your children. After the candles are lit the parents place their hands on the head of their son and say “May God inspire you to live like Ephraim and Menasseh”. This is quoted from Mishkan T’fillah, our new prayer book. I say to my son on Shabbat when he is home, ” may you grow to be like Ephraim and Menasseh, a credit your people.” For the girls we say, also quoted from Mishkan T’fillah,”May God inspire you to live like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah”. Of, course there is no Biblical verse speaking of blessing one’s daughters but there is for blessing one’s sons.

The Rabbis felt it was important to bless the sons of Israel because in this week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, Jacob blesses the sons of Joseph, his grandsons, Ephraim and Menasseh. That is why we bless or children because of what Jacob did. However, it is a little weird that we use this verse as the reason for the blessing because there have been many blessings cited before this verse.

The question is why do we always bless our sons with the names of Ephraim and Menasseh. The Rabbi say it is because they are the first siblings to get along with each other. Between them there seems to be no envy or distrust, they love each other. Joseph seems to have established a loving home. All of us want to model our families after the family of Joseph. As we say in Judaism ” ken y’hi ratsone”, let it be so.

Vayyigash begins where last week’s sedra ended. In last week’s portion Joseph refused to accept Judah’s offer of having all the brothers remain as slaves. Instead Joseph said he only wants Benjamin to remain as a slave. Judah was afraid that Jacob could not withstand this tragedy. Judah explained to Joseph that their father loved the two children of his deceased beloved wife Rachel. There was no trace of jealousy in Judah’s voice. This moved Joseph and made him think that his brothers have learned from their terrible behavior towards him. Judah offered himself as a substitute for Benjamin. Joseph realized his brothers have changed. What lesson can we learn from this story.

One person acting like a mensch can turn a whole situation around and can inspire those around him to do the right thing. However, if no one steps up then people can act engaging in their basest instincts. We should always try and be courageous and follow the path of righteousness.

This Wednesday evening begins the holiday of Chanukah, our Festival of Lights. It is not by chance that Chanukah is in the darkest time of the year. Human Beings crave light in the late fall and winter months. We witness every day at this time of year another holiday that focuses on light, that is of course Christmas. Anthropologists tell us that since the beginning of times Human Beings have wanted to light the darkness. The light from the Chanukiah is not meant to be utilitarian it is there for its significance religiously and for the beauty of having candles glow on a cold dark night.

The Rabbis discussed shall we add a candle each night or shall we remove one candle for each of the eight days. The house of Shammai wanted to remove the candles each night and the house of Hillel wanted to increase the light by adding a candle. As you can imagine the idea of always increasing our light won out and we add a candle every night.

It is customary to exhibit the Chanukiah in the window so that all who pass can see the lights burning and remember the miracle that is the Festival of Lights. The Chanukiah must have the candles displayed plainly so that those looking at the candles can discern what day of Chanukah is being celebrated. Oftentimes the candles are in a straight line and the Shammash is either higher or is to the side of the eight candles for the reason of clarity.

This year as the second day of Chanukah is Thanksgiving we have another layer to add to our Chanukah celebration that of thankfulness not only for our families, the household of Israel but also for our wonderful country that allows all Jews to celebrate their holidays in peace. This year let us offer all these thanks at our Thanksgiving table.