This Maamar is included here as it is a Possuk from the Haftorah of Parshas Vayigash. Two opposing approaches to understanding Hashem’s purpose in creation: 1) Talmud: that is all about being close. It is the delight of Yiddishkeit. 2) Maase’: action that is about distance from Hashem and is special because it is a…

Now Yosef is higher than Yehuda. When Moshiach comes Yehuda will be superior. A mystical explanation.

Yosef couldn’t keep the facade (secret) going anymore… Yosef cannot continue the play with his brothers and he orders everybody out so he can reveal himself to them. What is the reason for this loss of ability to hide, what had changed? Why do all the people have to leave? and why is it repeated…

The G-Dliness reveled at the time of Chanuka , in the darkness, comes from very high. It joins with regular everyday life and light of a Yid.

The Chanuka candles celebrate the war. The candles are the Candles of the Neshama and (Torah and) Mitzvos.

7 Mitzvos of the Ribanan, elevate the left [as if we were to say “Smol mikareves”], but only once the 613 Mitzvos diOraisa have made a Keli for the right side. This explains much about Chanuka licht: Their 1) side (left) 2) number (eight) 3) time (after dark) and location 4) (outside).

Vayeshev: above work and yerida tzorach aliya is real and constant peace that is after descending into Eretz Migurei Aviv and (lower still) Eretz Kinaan. Later he descends further into Mitzrayim and achieves an even higher VaYechi! How this ties into Chanuka, Golus etc.

1. His Birth ( 5767). 2. His Birth, another version. 3. His Early Years. (5770). 4. 11 Elul (5634) His Wedding. 5. 11 Elul 5776 (thought)

Rani ViSimchi is the Maamar of Chanuka (and Bihaalosecha, after Shavuos). It explains three levels and then a fourth. The three are the regular concerns of a Yid: 1) Mitzvos, 2) Torah 3) Mesiras Nefesh in the daily performance of Torah and Mitzvos. The fourth is called ‘Bas Tzion’ and emerges in Golus, when the…

Class One. This part of the Ma’amar (which is the largest part of the Ma’amar) explores many levels of life and connection: 1) Food and drink, 2) Wine, 3) Water that is higher than wine, 4) Oil, 5) Good smell, 6) Light. Each of these six are found in the Beis HaMikdash and the Ma’amar…