The Light of Creation

Rabbi Efraim Palvanov 

In recent decades, science has discovered and confirmed what the ancient Jewish mystics knew about the origins of our universe. In this fascinating class, we dive into the secret of Creation and of God declaring "Let there be light!" Join us as we uncover some of the most profound mysteries of the cosmos, and see what it all has to do with the light of Chanukah, and the forthcoming Messianic Age.

Chanukah: Restoring the Messianic Light

This audio is from 2021 - Rabbi Mendel Kessin

Transcription can be found here

Judging Others

 וַיְהִי אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה  - And it came about, after these words....  [Vayeishev 40:1]

The "words" that are referred to here are those of Potifar's wife, who bad-mouthed Yosef throughout Egypt.

From the actions of Potifar's wife, we can learn a powerful lesson about judging other people:

At first glance, Potifar's wife's actions appear to have been utterly evil.  Not only did she cause Yosef to be sent to prison, but furthermore, she spoke badly of him so that his name was blackened throughout Egypt.

Rashi however enlightens us to the truth, that even these actions were intended for the sake of Heaven! Despite the fact that she was brought up in the corrupt, idolatrous atmosphere of Egypt her intentions were pure, to the extent that our sages compared her to Tamar, the mother of "strong ones and righteous ones" [Rashi]. 

From this we can learn the importance of not judging other people by their first appearances.

Source: Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Art: Abraham Leon Kroll

Giant Hail Storm

Giant hail just hit in Gympie, Queensland Australia

Images D. Grant and C. Williams

Two Soldiers

Two soldiers, a Muslim and a Jew, praying side by side.   

Photo: סטטוסים מצייצים [not a page I look at, but this photo was shared by a friend, H/T Judy]

The Messiah Will Be Groomed in Arabia

H/T Sherry

Does Yishmael do teshuva at the End of Days?  

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

What will happen when Eisav and Yishmael join forces? Who is Yishmael? Rabbi Daniel Glatstein elaborates on events that will take place at the End of Days in another sensational lecture based on the Parsha.

Whatever is Supposed to Happen, Will Happen

Rabbi Alon Anava

How to have bitachon, complete faith in G-d, and no fear.

Paving the Way for Moshiach

Art: Dena Ackerman

Based on Sichos Shabbos Parshat Vayeishev 5751 Lubavitcher Rebbe

Rashi explains the simple reason why the Torah begins to speak of Yehudah in the middle of the story of Yosef.  ''To teach us that [Yehudah's] brothers demoted him from his high position.''

However, Rashi does not explain why the entire account of Yehudah and Tamar was recorded here, leading up to the birth of Peretz and Zarach.

However, according to the explanation of the Midrash, we can understand that the account of Yehudah and Tamar was included here to explain the reason why Yosef was sold : because G-d was paving the way for Moshiach.

Thus, before we read of Yosef's enslavement, and the ensuing Egyptian exile, the Torah prefaces ''the cure before the disease'' informing us of G-d's inner intent.