Tanya chapter 41 talks of two levels of total self sacrifice for Hashem. The lower level is Mesiras Nefesh al Kidush Hashem for one’s own sake while the second is to serve Hashem for Hashem’s sake to achieve His end. Why is the first level not good enough? The Possuk Vishavti BiShalom means that this…

Teshuva, means returning to Hashem what He anticipated and created. Teshuva is [1) Poel vs. Koach, 2)] Bli Medida vs. Medida. Musafin. This spells itself in the Pisukim ViShavti BiShalom…

Vayetzei, the Golus parsha (part one). Surviving Lavan, twenty years of deception.

A class on the first possuk of the parsha. VAYETZE 2006 – HE LEFT TO BUILD A JEWISH NATION CLASSES At the end of Parshas Toldos, Yaakov Avinu left Eretz Yisroel so why does parshas Vayetze tell us this again? It begins with a number of pshatim (interpretations) on this question from Rashi, R. Bechaye,…

Vayetzei 28-12.VAYETZE 2005 – CLIMB UP TO KABBALA CLASSESYaakov’s dream, what does the ladder and all the rest mean? This class discusses the ladder in the dream of Yaakov Avinu. Is it a real ladder or a metaphor? If a metaphor, what does it mean? What are angels? What are sefiros? Rabbi Paltiel takes you…

UFARATZTA! What does it mean.

‘And this stone… the house of God…’ Yaakov makes a deal with Hashem and (according to RaShI) sets six conditions and offer one (or two) in return: The class begins with Rashi and other Rishonim but works its’ way towards two different explanations (according to Chassidus) to this idea of what the stone is 1)…

Ya’akov kisses Rochel and cries, why. Rashi, Ramban, Radak, Sforno, Abarbanel, Alshich, Yonasan, Rikanti, Tanya. Mercy on the soul that goes into Golus etc.

Yaakov used sticks to affect the physical traits of the newborn sheep. What does it all mean?

Rare opportunity to delve into the nature of the trafim that Lavan used for avodah zara.  Why did Rochel take and hide them and what were the consequences?I’m enclosing my notes for you to see my sources.Zohar, Yonasan Ben Uziel, Rashi, Ramban, Even Ezra, Daas Zkeinim, Tziyuni and more.The most unusual idea (from the Even…