At the beginning of the portion Vayishlach, the Torah relates how Ya'akov sent emissaries to his brother Esav. He instructed them that, when speaking to Esav, they should refer to Ya'akov as "Esav's servant" and to Esav as "Ya'akov's lord." Later on in the portion, we find Ya'akov bowing down seven times before Esav, calling him many times "my lord" and referring to himself as "your servant."
Sunday, November 14, 2021
Transforming Enemies
At the beginning of the portion Vayishlach, the Torah relates how Ya'akov sent emissaries to his brother Esav. He instructed them that, when speaking to Esav, they should refer to Ya'akov as "Esav's servant" and to Esav as "Ya'akov's lord." Later on in the portion, we find Ya'akov bowing down seven times before Esav, calling him many times "my lord" and referring to himself as "your servant."
Thursday, November 11, 2021
It's All Good
Dovid HaMelech in Sefer Tehillim [Psalms 25:18] makes the following request of Hashem: “Look at my affliction and toil and bear all my sins.”
Rebbe Nachman said : "There are sins whose punishment is debt. One who is punished for such a sin is constantly in debt. All the merit in the world does not erase his punishment. He can do every possible good, still he must remain in debt.
These sins can even cause others to fall into debt. When such transgressions become common, there are many debtors in the world.
The remedy for this is to repent in general for all your sins. Even though you do not know what sin is causing these debts, repent in general and ask G-d to also save you from this particular sin.
If the Torah were written in order, we would know the precise reward and punishment for each commandment."
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Taking Yaakov out of Be'ersheva
Art: Evelyn Taylor |
Monday, November 8, 2021
If You Lose, I Also Lose
Concept by Mordechai Becher Illustration by Rafi Mollot |
By: Rabbi YY Jacobson
The Shouters
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Torah from Shamayim
Photo: Debra and Dave Vanderlaan |
Source: Mipeninei Noam Elimelech Translated by Tal Moshe Zwecker
Monday, September 13, 2021
Yom Kippur Thoughts
When we ask forgiveness from Hashem we need to remember that Hashem cannot forgive us for something we have done to someone else. That is why you need to ask and/or receive forgiveness before Yom Kippur for anything we may have done that caused someone else to suffer.
Friday, September 10, 2021
Measure for Measure
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Major Characteristics of the Negative Redemption
New shiur, given 22 August 2021, by Rabbi Shimon Kessin
Monday, September 6, 2021
5782 The Year of Moshiach iy"H
In one of his recent shiurim, Rabbi Mendel Kessin also mentioned this concept. Im yirtze Hashem.....
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Teshuva
Text by Rabbi Benjy Simons
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
How We'll All Know Moshiach Is Here
New shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin, which is actually Part 2 of last week's shiur which you can find here.
Many think the Times of Israel or J'lem Post will inform them that Mashiach has been spotted on Mt. of Olives on a white donkey. In truth, your heart will be circumcised, that organ that relates to the ruach portion of your neshama. When that happens, you will access olam Yetzira and you, within your own soul, will KNOW he is here. He will BE KNOWN. Yetzira will have come down and have integrated into the physical world. [thank you Rahel for the summary]
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Chai Elul
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
The Last Era of This World - How to Survive Through Gog uMagog
Another new shiur from Rabbi Mendel Kessin, given 16 August 2021
Blame it on the Tree
When Rav Moshe Cordovero [the Ramak] was niftar [deceased] in Tzfat, he was the leading kabbalist of his generation, and he had many students. He authored many seforim [books] on Kabalah including the classic Mussar Sefer Tomer Devorah.
Monday, August 16, 2021
The Climate of the Messianic Era
Obviously we are all living in a time of great upheaval, all over the world. Most people do not understand what is really going on, but thankfully we have Rabbi Mendel Kessin who explains it to us.
Last week he uploaded a shiur entitled ''The Climate of Yemos HaMashiach'' which you may have listened to.
That shiur is now available as a transcript and you can find it here at Rabbi Kessin's new site TorahThinking.org
Sunday, August 15, 2021
The Unconscious Mitzvah
Art Gerhard Nesvadba |
Based on Sefer Hama'amarim Mehukat vol 5 p 50 Lubavitcher Rebbe