To combat baseless hatred, we need to practice baseless love for all Jews even those that do not practice proper conduct
Since the first-born of Rochel was sold for 20 silver pieces (= 5 shekels) each of us redeem our first born (community). Since each brother received a ring (2 pieces of silver = ½ of a shekel) each person brings the half shekel (individual)
בעשרים כסף לז, כח
Yaacov brought about that his manner of general and all-inclusive service (one all-inclusive point of time and space) to be realized in the particular service of all Jews, at all times and in all places.
Per the Medrash, Yaacov took a quill and recorded the day, the hour and the place; The tribes each had their own form of service which they believed to be superior; but Yaacov saw one matter, the divine purpose to be fulfilled, and he awaited its fulfillment
שמר את הדבר לז, יא
The more self-nullification, the less limited is one’s fortune; so too with the imprisonment of the Alter Rebbe
While a slave, good fortune was ascribed to Yosef’s efforts; while a prisoner, Yosef’s good fortune was immediately ascribed to G-d
ה' מצליח בידו לט, ג
ה' מצליח לט, כג
We have a limited appreciation of the Redemption; its true nature transcends understanding, yet our prayers hasten its coming
Yaacov sought a prosperity appreciated by serving G-d without difficulty; G-d sought to provide a higher level, and thus, sent Yaacov the ordeal with Yosef
*וישב לז, א
General concept (Siman) for a later occurrence that involved “hand” and the number four; Achan descended from Zerach. Zerach – sun – avodah of Tzadik. Peretz – moon – Baalei Teshuvah. Moshiach associated with Teshuvah; yet everyone should strive to be a Tzadik
*אשר על ידו השני לח, ל
Yaacov waited for the matter refers to waiting for Moshiach; so each of us in galus needs to look for Moshiach to come now
Yaacov believed in the general concept of Yosef’s dream, but in indicating many items that seemed not true, the brothers assumed the whole dream was not true
הבוא נבוא לז, י
The redemption contains two elements:
1) the nullification of the Mitzrim from harming the Jews
2) the Mitzrim should assist in the redemption of the Jews
Incident of the baker and butler following the incident with the wife of Potifar accomplished two things:
1) stopped the bad talk about Yosef
2) brought the relief of Yosef by the agency of the Egyptians
אחר הדברים האלה מ, א
The Greeks sought to make Torah & Mitzvos an intellect pursuit rather than a Divine vocation; the Jews responded with mesiras nefesh, which is beyond reason
Yosef performed mesiras nefesh to go to his brothers to fulfill the mitzvah of honoring his father, the very mitzvah he held his brothers were corrupting
נסעו מזה לז, יז
