Ya’akov is talking to his sons about their upcoming trip to Egypt. He knows what his sons told him, but he senses something more is at hand, so he davens. He explains that he’s davening just in case. But the brothers, who know the whole truth, know just how important the prayer is.

Class One. Peace exists on two levels: 1) You fight and win resoundingly, 2) there is no fight in the first place, the enemy is automatically vanquished. In Vayeshev, Yaakov is aspiring to the higher peace but gets instead the lower one: In golus Mitzrayim he has tranquility. Class Two. The Chanuka miracles are like…

There are two lands in the land where Yaakov lives, higher and lower. These two are represented by two levels of Torah. This Ma’amar explores the great advantage of the lower level of Torah in and of itself. Through the laws there is Birurim. This is why it must also invlove מרמה.

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

This Maamar explores the Vayishlach maamarim of the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler Rebbe, how they all flow along the theme of the Parsha from the beginning until Shlishi. It also explores an initial idea that the Mitteler Rebbe later refutes but does not remove from the מאמר. That even in פנימיות התורה there is…

Vayishlach, Yaakov’s hope to meet Eisav in his source are dashed. Yaakov then deals and elevates the actual Eisav, but then refuses to join him in Seiir, as the Geula has been delayed. His children will have to complete the task.

Gid HaNasheh (Yeshivah 5781/ 2020), Class One.The Sefer HaChinuch’s take on the Mitzvah of Gid HaNasheh, it reminds us that (even when it appears to be the case) that we are never forgotten and will eventually be redeemed. Gid HaNasheh (Yeshivah 5781/ 2020), Class Two.The Rabbeinu Bechayey’s take on Gid HaNasheh, that we should live…

Toras Menachem vol. 21 page 189-194. Click here for all related material.

The return of Yaakov to Eretz Yisroel found him whole not only according to the promises Hashem gave him, but that he didn’t even suffer (in a lasting way) for the Avoda sacrifices he needed to make in Golus.

Malachim before, Malachim after; When Yaakov leaves Eretz Yisroel, the local angels cannot lead him into Chutz La’aretz and new Malachim appear, while on his return, the Eretz Yisroel angels come out to greet. The reason: in the beginning they are empowering him and at the end they are honoring him.