In this week's Parsha Yaakov Avinu spent his final years in Mitzrayim. When he realized his end was coming close he called Yosef. Yosef brought his two sons Menashe and Efraim.
Yaakov Avinu blessed them with the famous Beracha of Hamalach Hagoel.
Yosef put Menashe to his left which was Yaakov Avinu's right side and Efraim to his right which was Yaakov Avinu's left side. Menashe was older and obviously should have the blessing from Yaakov Avinu's right hand and Efraim from Yaakov Avinu's left hand.
But as we all know Yaakov Avinu crossed his hands and placed his right hand on Efraim's head and his left hand on Menashe's head.
Yosef saw and tried to change around Yaakov Avinu's hands.
Yaakov Avinu said, "I know Menashe is older and he will be great but Efraim will be greater."
And he added the famous Beracha, "Yesimecha Elokim Ke'Efraim Vechi'Menashe," mentioning Efraim first.
Rashi explains that although a great leader will come from Menashe, Gideon, but Yehoshua who came from Efraim was greater.
We all know that the Torah is not a story book and the Torah tells us things for a reason.
Rabbi Yehuda Birdogo, from Morocco gives the following explanation and it has a very important message for us.
Menashe was the firstborn. In that time, the Avoda of bringing Korbonos belonged to the firstborns.
Efraim resembles Torah, as Efraim was the Chavrusa (study partner) and studied with his grandfather.
The question is, which is greater? The Kohen or firstborn doing the Avoda in the Beis Hamikdash or the Talmid Chacham sitting learning diligently.
Moshe Rabbeinu crowned Aharon as Kohen Gadol and the Passuk writes that he was Kodesh Kodoshim, holy of the holies. On the other hand, Moshe Rabbeinu, the pillar of Torah is called 'Ish Ha'Elokim' the man of G-d.
Yaakov Avinu was telling Yosef, true, Menashe is older and symbolizes the Avoda, but Efraim symbolizes Torah and that is greater.
The Beis Hamikdash and Torah
The Beis Hamikdash was holy, but the peak of the Beis Hamikdash was the Kodesh Hakadoshim which had the Aron and inside the Aron was the Luchos and a Sefer Torah. That is the peak.
The truth is that most of us have a bit of both. We learn Torah every day, the symbol of Efraim and we daven, do Mitzvos, the symbol of Menashe. We have to work to bring food to our families which is also part of our Avoda.
We are busy with both, just some of us are busier with Torah and some of us are busier with Avoda.
Whatever we are doing if we put in the correct thoughts and are focused correctly we are doing the Razon Hashem, the will of Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
But we have to remember that our peak is Limmud Hatorah, learning Torah, resembled by Efraim.
It is impossible to reach perfection without having connection to Torah.
So much so, the Gemarah asks how are women able to merit Olam Habba if they don’t learn Torah?
The Gemarah doesn’t answer that they have their Mitzvos because that isn’t enough, they are still lacking Torah. The Gemarah answers that in the merit of waiting for their husbands coming home from the Beis Hamedrash and taking their children to learn Torah they also have a part and connection to Torah.
But ultimately a man who can learn Torah has to invest time in Torah study on a daily basis.
