Even, and most especially, in the simplest of matters one can connect to our Heavenly Father
A person must improve oneself to be effective in improving others
By recognizing the Divine Spark in everything, all obstacles are nullified & assist in kedusha
(א) וישב יעקב Yaacov settled
- בארץ in earthliness
- מגורי to gather sparks of holiness
- אביו to elevate to his Father in Heaven
(ה) By being “handsome” in all aspects, Yosef was able to impress others and make Baalei Teshuvah
(ז) Explanation that Potifar’s wife’s intention was for the sake of heaven
Everything by a Jew starts off with avodah, working in the field (of the animal soul); to nullify oneself to the Nasi HaDor, the generation’s leader
Yosef dreams, about the physical (binding sheaves) and about the spiritual (sun, moon, & stars), share the same message because a Jew’s physical & spiritual affairs should complement each other
ויחלם עוד
Rashi indicates that, although exiles came as a "payback" for our iniquities ("do not await my sins"), their primary purpose is to help bring about the future Redemption, as indicated in the first verse quoted by Rashi - "awaiting His Faithfulness."
Regarding Yaacov's response to Yosef's dreams - precursors of the exile in Egypt - Rashi first quotes the verse "awaiting His Faithfulness" (referring to G-d's promise to the Jewish people), and only then going on to quote the verse "do not await my sins” to explain that guarding means awaiting (its fulfillment)
*שמר את הדבר לז, יא
Galus is the result of one’s deficiency; but the avodah of hodaah (thanks) reveals the real purpose of Galus to enable one to rise to a higher state by attaining level of burning love and breaking all barriers
Tamar was liable for burning since the people of that time accepted the concept that a daughter of a priest was so punished for such actions. Nevertheless, Yehuda was permitted to her since his son had died
*ותשרף לח, כד
Shluchim go out to gather different sparks (in the fields) into the wellsprings of Chasidus (Nasi haDor – Yosef)
Just like bound bundles of grain prevent rolling in the wind, so too binding a Jew into the oneness of HaShem prevents the ill effects of one’s environment
*מאלמים אלומים לז, ז
Avodah of a person is similar to going up a mountain; one needs to continue going up, and if one stands still liable to slide; similar to Neiros Chanukah
City on side of mountain enables going up and going down (and not two cities and not at the top of mountain)
*עולה תמנתה לח ,יג
