Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe

Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe

QUESTION: What did Yisro add that warranted that the Parsha be called by his name?
ANSWER: Moshe judged the people by himself, lifting the people to his level. Yisro’s addition (the outsider) saw that the people could judge themselves and make the Torah their own. Thus, his name was added to this Parsha indicating the addition that a Jew may make the Torah one’s own. )203, עמ' טו לקוטי שיחות כרך (

QUESTION: Why was Moshe commanded to give different information to the women than the men?
ANSWER: Moshe was commanded to give to the women the general principles and foundations of the Torah (the essence), and to give to the men only the particulars (a lower level). Men exist within a particular, limited “hour”. Whereas, woman relate to the essence of time, they transcend the particulars. Therefore, it is said that just as the redemption of Egypt was due to the merit of women, so the woman will create the conditions for the future Redemption. )93, עמ' כא לקוטי שיחות כרך(

QUESTION: Why was the giving of Torah accompanied by five Sounds קולות?
ANSWER: Within each “sound” there is an importance and a complete concept of Torah. The five levels show the drawing down through the natural order from above (evident within Torah and the Chatan & Kallah). All five levels of Torah were given together, so that the highest should transform even the lowest part of a person. )107' , עמו לקוטי שיחות כרך (

SOUL LEVELSWORLDSSOUL EXPRESSG-D’S NAMELIFE FORCESSEVEN BLESSINGSTORAHנפשעשיהאותיותהדומםששוןויהי קולות (לשון רבים)רוחיצירהמידותוצומחשמחהנשמהבריאהשכלהחיחתןוקול שופרחי'אצילותכח הדיבורימדברכלהקול השופריחידהעצמותאנכייהודיהודו את ה'אלקים יעננו בקול

QUESTION: Why is the different levels of refraining from activities on Shabbos: in action (from the Torah), in speech (from the Rabbis) and in thought (from Chassidus)?
ANSWER: Shabbos we make a cessation on various levels to reflect on our relationship with G-d
,יאלקוטי שיחות כרך (

ACTIONTorahה' עשהכי ששת ימיםEffect outside of oneselfShows an external connection with the CommanderSPEECHRabananשבות כה'Reveals one’s intellect and feelings to anotherShows an inner desire to cling to G-dTHOUGHTMidas Chassidusחסיד עושה לפנים משורת הדיןReveals one’s intellect and feelings to oneself; no connection to physicalityOne’s whole existence is to serve one’s Creator; completely nullified

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