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Photo courtesy of Rizzoli International

Jacob Blesses Ephraim And Manasseh in this illumination from the Golden Haggadah, a 14th-century collection of prayers, psalms and other passages that are recited at the Passover seder, the ritual meal commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. As described in Genesis 48, Joseph, at right with three other figures behind him, presents his sons to the dying Jacob, left, to be blessed. Rather than giving the preferred blessing of the right hand to Manasseh, the first-born, Jacob crosses his hands and blesses Ephraim with his right hand, prophesying that the younger “shall be greater” (Genesis 48:19).