QUESTION: What is the spiritual understanding of the first verse in this Parsha that Yaacov settled in the land of Canaan?
ANSWER: The intent of the verse is that Yaacov settled in the physical aspects of existence to bring forth the holiness to G-d. Canaan implies “business”. In our daily lives we can seek to bring out the holiness that through our service without intent for spiritual heights. (76, עמ' אלקוטי שיחות כרך)
QUESTION: Tamar requested from Yehuda two personal items, a ring and a coat. What is the significance of these two items?
ANSWER: These items, a signet ring and a royal coat, are symbols of marriage, spreading the influence of their owner to the recipient. The signet ring is more than a regular ring in that it makes an impression in others. This reveals ownership. The royal coat is also a symbol of a unique item of the husband that is transferred to a woman indicating the establishment of a marriage. (75 'עמ ,טו לקוטי שיחות כרך)
QUESTION: Why is Shechem called a place prepared in advance for Yosef’s misfortune?
ANSWER: Yosef set up his own misfortune since in Shechem he related to his father three items about his brothers:
- Said the brothers ate a limb from a living animal,
- the brothers plotted spill the blood of Yosef in this place
- Said the brothers were suspected of illicit relations, incident with Dinah happened in this place
- Said the brothers disgraced the children of the maidservants, the split in the kingdom of David (scorn of his honor) in this place
(62, עמ' טו לקוטי שיחות כרך)
QUESTION: How does Yaacov look for the positive outcome of Yosef’s dream that Yaacov and the other brothers were going to bow to Yosef?
ANSWER: The beginning of the understanding is the Rabbinical statement that all dreams contain items that are apparently not to be fulfilled. The brothers saw the particulars were apparently not true and thus, discounted the entire dream. Yaacov looked at the general importance of the dream. Yaacov waited for the matter of the kingship of Yosef, refers to his waiting with his complete heart for the time Moshiach when the matter would be fulfilled. (156עמ' לה, לקוטי שיחות כרך)
QUESTION: The angel warned Yosef that his brothers were planning to kill him. Nevertheless, Yosef proceeded to go to his brothers to fulfill the command of his father. How could Yosef place his life in danger since the mitzvah of honoring one’s father is not a mitzvah for which one accepts death rather than transgress?
ANSWER: Rambam explains that a great and pious person may risk his life to teach others about that mitzvah. Yosef believed that the brothers were lacking in the proper understanding of the mitzvah of honoring one’s father (failing to consult Yaacov about Shechem, being jealous of Yosef, etc.). Therefore, Yosef placed his life in danger to show to his brothers the proper fulfillment of this mitzvah (169 , עמ'הל לקוטי שיחות כרך)
