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Written by Rabbi Oded Sher
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 Yaakov Avinu is dying and most of us see him as we see all old people that have reached their timely end. He is even described as having heavy eyes and that he couldnt see. Yosef brings his son for their bracha from their famous Zaidy, then
its gets kind of strange. First Yaakov seems to switch the bracha between Ephraim and Menashe, then he says their bracha to their father Yosef, even though he has his hands on the "kids". I believe that within those 2 psukim (48:14-15) Yaakov's actions are explained and deliver to us a very powerful lesson regarding blessings.
The pasuk reads the Yaakov (actually Israel) "Sikal et Yadav" ("deliberately placed his hands"). Rashi explains that Yaakov approached the bracha with complete clarity and wisdom. Meaning that Yaakov clearly understood that for blessings to reach their potential they must come from wisdom and clarity regarding what the blesser is trying to convey to the blessed. Then Yaakov speaks directly to Yosef to teach us that our blessings come from a source (like getting water from a well). The source is from the Avot and the relationship they developed with Hashem. We try to tap into that source in almost everything that we do (ex. Prayer, Pesach, etc). But there is more, when the parents give their children a bracha, they are also dipping into the well of their own personal relationship with Hashem, the deeper and better maintained the well, the deeper and better the bracha!
So how do we use this for Shabbat? I would suggest that we all stop one minute before we give the blessing and gather our thoughts so that our bracha to our kids will be deliberate, clear, and full of wisdom. I would also suggest that for the upcoming week (at least:) we try to clean up our wells and reach out to our Father in Heaven so we can transfer even more powerful and meaningful brachas next week.
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