Joseph took the two of them, Ephraim with his right-hand—to Israel’s left—and Manasseh with his left-hand—to Israel’s right—and brought them close to him. But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head—thus crossing his hand—although Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph saying,
“The God in whose ways my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has been my shepherd from my birth to this day—
The Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—
Bless the lads.
In them may thy name be recalled.
And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.
And may they be teeming multitudes upon the earth.”
When Joseph saw that his father was placing his right hand on Ephraim head, he thought it was wrong; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. “Not so, father,” Joseph said to his father, “for the other is the first-born; place your right hand on his head.” But his father objected, saying, “I know, my son, I know. He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great. Yet his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring shall be plentiful enough for nations.” (Genesis 48:13-19)
— Anita Rabinoff-Goldman
