In this week’s parashah, Vay’chi, Yaakov blesses his two grandsons Menashe and Efrayim shortly before his death. Before blessing the boys, Yaakov turns to his son Yosef, the boys’ father, and recounts some of the key events in his own life, including the death of Yosef’s mother Rachel. Then Yaakov adds, “I had no hope of seeing you again, yet God has given me the gift of seeing your children.”

Why does Yaakov recall that gift now? After all, it has been many years since he was reunited with Yosef and since he met his grandsons. The author of Divrei Yirmiyahu explains that, having just recalled his loss of Rachel, Yaakov needs to raise his spirits before he can properly bless his grandsons. He must remind himself how fortunate he is, in spite of everything, so that he can give more of himself.
 
If we wish to be a source of blessing to others, it helps to remember the blessings that we ourselves have received. By focusing on our own gifts, we make our fullness overflow. By choosing gratitude, we unlock our capacity for generosity.