Understanding the Parsha according to the Rebbe
QUESTION: What is the connection between Yaacov’s actions of sending messengers to appease Eisav and also carrying the message that he fulfilled the 613 mitzvos when he was with Lavan (there is no apparent relevance between these messages)?
ANSWER: Yaacov went to Charan to transform the holy sparks that were within Lavan in preparation for Geulah. He accomplished in twenty years this task of rectification turning all the forces of physicality into the holiness of Torah and Mitzvos. Now, he was sending a message of notification to Eisav that he had done his part and inquiring if Eisav has done his part. Had Eisav also been rectified in order for the Redemption to occur? (68 , עמ'אלקוטי שיחות כרך )
QUESTION: Rashi informs us of the statement of Chaza”l that Yaacov did three things prior to meeting Eisav (sent gifts, prepared for war, and prayed). What is the meaning of the word התקין in place of the word הכין (which means prepared)?
ANSWER: The term "התקין" indicates a change in the person himself. Yaacov changed himself and expressed this change in the three actions of: Gifts – אהבה War - יראה Prayer – רחמים. Both in fighting one’s Yetzer HaRa and in educating Jewish children, it is insufficient to work in the usual manner; one needs to change oneself in all three fronts. (265 'עמ ,טו לקוטי שיחות כרך )
QUESTION: Why are the Jews sometimes called by the name Yaacov and sometimes referred to by the name of Yisrael?
ANSWER: The names, Yaacov (י עקב) and Yisrael(לי ראש), refer to two different services of HaShem. The service of Yaacov represents the service of conflict with the world and our nature, refining the world through toil and labor. There are times when we are “forced” to engage in service of HaShem, when we practice “deceit” (“fake it till you make it”). The service of Yisrael represents service of happiness to serve HaShem without inner conflict. Obviously, the level of Yisrael is the ultimate goal. However, we can only reach that level, through our initial service of Yaacov, engaging and transforming the world. Therefore, we continue to need the name (service) of Yaacov. (795 עמ' ג, לקוטי שיחות כרך )
QUESTION: How is it possible that the initial source for the concept of Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13, (when a boy is called איש and the Yeitzer Tov enters his life) is the action of Levi at Shechem?
ANSWER: The truth of the matter is that Shimon and Levi executed a righteous judgment, and not an act of calculated revenge. They acted from a place of mesiras nefesh. Thus, this action does serve as a “role model” for all that reach Bar Mitzvah. At the age of 13 one reaches adult maturity to serve HaShem with logic and comprehension. Yet “each man took his sword” shows that one must also approach Mitzvos with mesiras nefesh which transcends logic. (150 'עמ ,הלקוטי שיחות כרך )
QUESTION: We commemorate Yaacov’s salvation more than anyone else, since this indicates that HaShem always saves the Jewish people from “Eisav”. Why commemorate this moment in the minor detail of Gid haNasheh?
ANSWER: Even this small detail is important to HaShem. Thus, the Gid haNasheh reflects the concept that HaShem’s providence over the Jews extends equally to every detail of their lives, since He Chose us (contrary to the providence over the rest of Creation). (148 , עמ'ל לקוטי שיחות כרך )
BEN CHAMESH L’MIKRA בס"ד
- הענינים מלקו"ש השבועי ועוד -
נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן
▪ Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪
Designed for use in the classroom or at the Shabbos Table
