Why did the three tribes that comprised Degel Machaneh Efrayim, (Efrayim, Menasheh and Binyamin), encamp specifically in the west?
Ramban (in Pasuk 2): Hashem said to Moshe: 'Efrayim, Menasheh and Binyamin, which represents strength, 1 should encamp in the west, corresponding to the storehouses of snow, of hail of cold and of heat which are in the west. The Shechinah is always in the west in the territory of Binyamin. 2 And strength is necessary for Torah and Teshuvah, in order to study Torah and to overcome one's Yeitzer ha'Ra'.
R. Chavel's footnotes: See Tehilim, 80:3. And it is only the strong who can stand against cold and heat.
See Devarim 33:12.
Wherever the Torah mentions Efrayim and Menasheh, it mentions Yosef as well (See Oznayim la'Torah). Why does it not do so in the current Parshah?
Oznayim la'Torah (citing the Zohar): Because Yosef behaved towards his brothers in an arrogant manner. 1
Oznayim la?Torah, ibid.: By calling them spies and incarcerating them. The Torah therefore withholds his name by the Degalim, which were in praise of Yisrael, Midah ke'Neged Midah' - in spite of the noble manner in which he otherwise treated them.
