Chapter 11

Aaronic Prayer, Ephraim, Manasseh

 In this chapter we get to experience the start of the traditional Sabbath (Shabbat) celebration. The traditional blessing for the boys in the group is to wish that they will be like Ephraim and Manasseh. These two boys were Joseph’s sons that were adopted by his father Israel (Jacob) at the end of the old man’s life. In the account found in Genesis 48, Israel crosses his arms and puts his right hand upon Ephraim who was younger instead of Manasseh, who was older. There is a kind of odd symmetry in this even as Jacob was the one who, though younger, was blessed more than his older brother. In any event, it was a great honor for Joseph to have his two sons become seen as Israel’s own sons, and so the blessing is said over the Jewish boys even today. After this, the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 is offered. Such blessings occur in Messianic and typical Jewish celebrations regularly.