THE BLESSING OF EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH

All the years of Jacob's sojourn in Egypt, Asenath, the
wife of Joseph, was his constant nurse. When she saw his
end drawing nigh, she spoke to Joseph: "I have heard that
one who is blessed by a righteous man is as though he had
been blessed by the Shekinah. Therefore, bring thy sons
hither, that Jacob give them his blessing."[359]

Though Joseph was a devoted and loving son to his
father, he was not in constant attendance upon him, because
he wanted to avoid giving him the opportunity of inquiring
into the circumstances of his coming to Egypt. He was
apprehensive that Jacob might curse his sons and bring death
upon them, if he discovered the facts connected with