Yosef’s death marks the end of Braishis because the substance of Shmos- exile to conquer the world must be inspired and initiated by the avos. Yosef’s death and Golus empower those who follow after him.

Ya’akov wishes to tell his children when the Geula will come and they will leave Egypt. But God doesn’t let him. How could they both be correct [as Ya’akov is a Merkava and above error]?? The answer is perspective: Ya’akov hopes to encourage harder work to earn and maybe even expedite the Geula. But God…

In Galus there are two ‘first borns’: Yosef’s first born is Menashe: to remember from where you come and not to be influenced by the environment you are in. Ya’akov’s first born is Ephrayim: to succeed and prosper and take something from the Exile and to ultimately transform it. Yosef therefore objects to the switching…

Parshas Vayechi really is about Ya’akov’s passing, yet it is called Vayechi- that Ya’akov lived his best years there! The idea is that life is eternity and that is only in and with God, and only when Ya’akov showed his true connectedness was he truly alive and it happened as he passed in Egypt and…

Yaakov’s best years were in Egypt not because of what was going on with him, but what was going on with his children, who were susceptible to the realities of Golus. Their learning Torah made Yaakov’s stay in Egypt the best moments of his life, as darkness itself was transformed to light.

This class explains the unique place of Yosef in Galus: he is both a part of it (not like Yaakov) but altogether above it (not like his brothers). As a result he can initiate it and he can predict it’s end.

Ya’akov is happy to go to Egypt yet apprehensive. How can this be reconciled. The Rebbe reveals that not only are these two feelings not incompatible they are actually mutually interdependent.

רב עוד יוסף בני חי Upon discovering that his son is alive not only in body but in spirit as well, Ya’akov celebrates what his son Yosef has become exceeding all expectation.

The Jewish nation in Galus is called Yosef, as Yosef is the source of the strength to survive and thrive in Golus, as he did so better than anyone.

Jewish people settle in Egypt and take possession of (what is theirs) but it is Egypt. Eventually Egypt will take hold of them. Ultimately however the land’s taking hold of them will result in them leaving Egypt with all Egypt’s wealth!