We find ourselves with Jacob, nearing the end of his life, bestowing blessings upon his sons. But it's the blessing he gives to Joseph that truly stands out. It’s not just a simple wish for good fortune; it's a recognition of Joseph's extraordinary character and resilience.
Jacob begins, according to Legends of the Jews, by acknowledging Joseph's upbringing: "O son whom I bred up, Joseph, whom I raised..." Right away, you sense the deep connection, the years of shared experience and love. But then comes the real kicker: "...and who wast strong to resist the enticements of sin."
Think about that for a moment. This isn't just about being a "good" person. It's about actively fighting against temptation, standing firm in the face of immense pressure. Jacob recognizes that Joseph didn't just stumble into righteousness; he actively chose it, time and time again.
He continues, "Thou didst conquer all the magicians and the wise men of Egypt by thy wisdom and thy pious deeds." Joseph, a foreigner in a land of powerful magic and ancient knowledge, outshone them all, not through trickery or force, but through his wisdom and devotion to God. As Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews emphasizes, it wasn’t just intellect, but pious deeds that secured him the victory.
Then comes an almost unbelievable detail: "The daughters of princes cast their jewels before thee, to draw thine eyes upon them when thou didst pass through the land of Egypt, but thou didst not look their way, and therefore wast thou made the father of two tribes." Imagine the scene: wealth, beauty, power, all offered to him, and he turned away. This, Jacob says, is why Joseph was blessed with the fatherhood of two tribes. It wasn't just about avoiding temptation; it was about the strength of character it demonstrated.
Even when faced with slander and defamation, Jacob reminds Joseph, "The magicians and the wise men of Egypt sought to defame thee before Pharaoh and slander thee, but thou didst set thy hope in the Almighty." This act of trusting in El Shaddai (the Almighty) becomes the foundation for the blessing that follows.
So, what exactly is this blessing? It's a powerful affirmation: "Therefore may He who appeared unto me as El Shaddai bless thee and grant thee fertile soil and much cattle." It's a wish for prosperity, for abundance, for a flourishing legacy. But it's more than that.
The blessing continues, reaching back through generations: "May the blessing thy father giveth thee now, and the blessing that his fathers Abraham and Isaac gave him, and that called forth the envy of the great of the world, Ishmael, Esau, and the sons of Keturah--may all these blessings be a crown upon the head of Joseph, and a chain upon the neck of him that was the ruler of Egypt, and yet diminished not the honor due to his brethren."
This is truly remarkable! It’s an accumulation of ancestral blessings, a weight of expectation and promise. And notice the inclusion of "envy." Even the blessings that sparked jealousy and conflict are now channeled towards Joseph. The blessing is so powerful, it adorns him like royalty, yet it doesn't diminish the honor of his brothers. It elevates Joseph while maintaining family unity.
What can we take away from this ancient blessing? It's not just about receiving good fortune. It's about earning it through resilience, integrity, and unwavering faith. It's about recognizing the power of character and the importance of staying true to one's values, even when faced with immense pressure. And perhaps most importantly, it's a reminder that the blessings we receive are often built upon the foundations laid by those who came before us.