Unique Blessings

When Jacobs blesses his children, he gives each of them a different blessing. The Torah emphasizes that each one was blessed with a uniquely appropriate blessing to them.

“אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר כְּבִרְכָתוֹ, בֵּרַךְ אֹתָם” (every one according to his blessing he blessed them)

The Hebrew word “blessing” is “Bracha” from the root word “Breicha” meaning a pool of water. When we give a blessing we draw down from the pool – the source of blessings, and each persons’ source of blessings is unique to them.

Jacob recognized each of his children’s unique talents and gifts, challenges and strengths- and gave them an appropriate blessing to allow them to tap into their own source- he knew exactly what each would need to access their own potential.

Jacob’s insight is echoed in an edifying story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

A father once came to the Lubavitcher Rebbe expressing frustration and disappointment that one of his children wasn’t following the path he had expected. He said to the Rebbe, “I don’t understand, I raised all my children equally -in the exact same way, yet this child is not behaving like the others.” The Rebbe replied, “That is exactly your problem, you raised them the same, but each child is unique and different.”

We must identify what is unique to each child, help them appreciate their gifts and strengths, and assist them in accessing their own unique source of blessing.