Vayechi

Yakov blesses Yosef's children: "May (God) bless the boys, and let them carry my name, along with the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac. May they increase like fish in the land." [Gen. 48:16]

3 Questions about this blessing.

(1) Since when do angels bless people? Is not Hashem the source of all blessing?

[note that the verse previous to this one references Hashem]

(2) Fish lay thousands of eggs during their lifespan. Rodents and insects do as well. What is the significance of fish? Why were Joseph's children blessed to be like fish?

(3) The phrase "increase like fish in the land" is odd. Fish live in water and not on the land? What kind of blessing is this?

see http://www.ravkooktorah.org/VAYEHI59.htm for 1 approach to these questions.

See also Rav Hirsch [Chumash] who shares significant ideas to help solve these questions.