In this week's parsha, Yaakov blesses Ephraim and Menashe with the bracha "By you shall Israel invoke blessings, saying: God make you like Ephraim and Menashe," before he passes away. Before the blessing the pasuk specifies when Yaakov gives them this bracha, saying "So he blessed them that day." Rashi says "that day" refers to the day when Jewish parents would wish to bless their children. One may ask the question why is it specifically with the bracha of Ephraim and Menashe that Jewish parents bless their children?

Rabbi Frand answers that Yaakov had seen with his own sons what hatred and jealousy can cause amongst brothers. When Yaakov placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, instead of Menashe's, who was the rightful bechor, Yosef tried to correct his father. Yaakov replies saying "I know, my son, I know. He too shall become a people and he too shall be great. Yet his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall be plentiful enough for nations."

Nevertheless, Menashe did not utter one word of complaint after hearing this. Yaakov saw how well his two grandsons got along and how Menashe didn't feel any jealousy towards Ephraim. Before Ephraim and Menashe, we have Cain and Hebel, Yitzchak and Yishmael, Yaakov and Eisav and then Yosef and his brothers. Ephraim and Menashe are the first set of brothers in Tanach that get along. Yaakov felt the best blessing for Klal Yisrasel would be for brothers to get along with one another. We don't know why some people have it better then others. Only Hashem knows what is truth and what is fair. We can either be envious or we can accept the will of Hashem and learn to enjoy what we have.

Another question one may ask is why did Yaakov speak to the brothers in singular? Oznaim Latorah answers Yaakov was conveying that the blessing would be fulfilled only if there were harmony and unity between the brothers.

The blessings of Hashem can only happen if there is peace amongst family, friends and the whole of Klal Yisrael. When there is jealousy and hatred in the world no blessing of Hashem will be fulfilled. With the Bracha of Ephraim and Menashe it should be that we should all get along and not look at what others have and be happy with what Hashem has given us.