Every parent must exhibit mesiras nefesh for a single child’s education
Our current exile is not as severe, we must support the Yeshivos
Despite our concern to bring everyone close to Yiddishkeit, one should not budge from principle
- (א) Yehudah’s sense of responsibility for Binyomin compelled him to jeopardize himself for a single younger brother
- (ג) Despite the harsh Egyptian exile, they still had Yeshivos
- (ט) Problem of Hey lachem zera (Yosef’s order to the Egyptians to circumcise), which caused the severity of the Exile, because Yosef did this on his own
A person can only fulfill the mission of one’s soul when involved with the world (& not if locked up in 4 amos of Torah); for Yeshiva students Torah is their occupation; even their outreach efforts are an expression of this concept
Yosef understood that his being sold and subsequent rise to power, fulfills the Divine purpose of raising “Great Wealth”, elevating the sparks of holiness
Even though Yosef was always connected to HaShem, Yaacov sent Yehudah to establish a Yeshivah, since for Yosef Torah was not his occupation
Jews are designated as slaves to HaShem (Kabalos Ol without yeshus); a slave to a King is like a King
Dinah designated as a Cana’anite is to explain why she was permitted to marry Shimon, since her slave status disassociated her from her family connections
When a Jew looks at another Jew’s essence (and not their appearance), then one can respond in kindness
Yosef sustained the Jews not just physically but also spiritually, enabling them to respond with kindness to all like Yosef did with his brothers
One weeps for the pain of another; on one’s own pain, one takes action to fix it
Neck (Bais HaMikdash) connects the body & the head; Yosef & Binyomin did not cry for their own loss, only for the other’s loss
One should not give up hope if not successful in the physical since G-d can and will remove obstacles; we must act b’hidur despite physical limitations
Yosef from himself in addition to the command of Paroh
Yosef showed honor to his father to lessen the pain when he would become aware of the sale of Yosef (since it was all for the best)
When one needs to reproach another, must be careful to revert to Chesed
Yosef expressed amazement that Yaacov was still alive in order to impress to his brothers the urgency of bringing him to Egypt
Yosef selected five weak brothers; based on blessing of Moshe that doubled the names of 5 of the brothers, who were either the weak ones, or the strong ones
