Vayechi – Hamalach Hagoeil III

“May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they proliferate abundantly like fish within the land.” (Genesis 48:16)

Jacob may also have expressed the hope that the reputations of the patriarchs would be enhanced by the conduct of Joseph’s sons in the future.

We find such an idea in Proverbs 23:24: “The father of the righteous will rejoice greatly.” We also have a similar statement in Proverbs 17:6: “Grandchildren are the crown of their elders.” All of this is predicated on the grandchildren following in the footsteps of their illustrious ancestors. (Or Hachaim HaKadosh)