Classes

Vayeshev The Tribes (27) Likutei Sichos vol. 25 page 204 ff. This class begins the story of the twelve sons of Ya’akov and is a new chapter in the Torah’s narrative: the children’s story. Yoseph tells his father and brothers his dreams. What is he thinking?! What is Ya’akov thinking? and what are the brothers...

Vayeshev The Tribes (28) Likutei sichos vol. 35 page 156 ff. How the brother’s hear the dream. How Yoseph hears the dream. How Ya’akov hears the dream. What is Yaakov waiting for? [The geula].

Vayeshev The Tribes (29) Likutei Sichos vol. 25 Page 193 ff. Three personalities, three Galus perspectives: 1) Yaakov, he was not in the Galus at all. 2) The Shvatim, they are a part of the Galus and only survive it by being in (relative) isolation, as Shepherds. 3) Yosef, he is in the Galus and...

Miketz The Tribes (30) Likutei Sichos vol. 01 page 85 ff. Torah Ohr 28c. Dreams are the illustration of the experience of Exile, thus the story of Galus is punctuated by dreams. A positive lesson: in a dream one can skip steps, nothing is above anyone.

Vayeshev The Tribes (31) Likutei Sichos vol. 03 page 805 ff. The particulars of Yosef’s two dreams (the bundles and the stars) teach us things about serving Hashem and Golus. 1) We go in order from lower to higher (even in Golus), 2) Work, nothing real is free, 3) We gather many into one, 4)...

Vayeshev The Tribes (32) Likutei Sichos vol. 35 page 169 ff. Yosef went on a mission from his father to see his brothers knowing what they might do to him. Why did he go? Rashi and Ramban: According to Rashi he knew what they would do and went anyway: 1) He chose to go above...

Vayeshev The Tribes (33) Likutei Sichos vol. 25 Page 193 ff. This is another version of the same class (above 29) that focuses exclusively on Yosef being in and above the galus, thus mastering and ruling Egypt from the moment he arrives there.

Vayeshev The Tribes (34) Likutei Sichos vol. 25 page 213 ff. Yosef is ‘Matzliach’ (accesses his Mazal in a very blessed way) because of his adaptability to the reality and hardship of Galus. He descends from bad to worse, from Slave to Prisoner and as his circumstances challenge him more he digs deeper to find...

Vayeshev The Tribes (35) Likutei Sichos vol. 1 page 78 ff. Potifar’s wife seduction: The wife of Potifar sees that she must contribute to the future of Yosef and believes that God may work even in strange ways. Yosef’s perspective: The ends don’t justify the means. One must follow the law to the letter.

Vayeshev The Tribes (36) Likutei Sichos vol. 35 page 163 ff. Yosef goes out of Galus. This Sicha which analyzes RaShI reveals the two aspects (or steps) in Yosef’s departure from Galus. 1) No opposition, 2) Transforming and becoming the master over the Galus.

Miketz The Tribes (37) Likutei Sichos vol. 05 page 196 ff. Miketz the end, (RaShI) or the beginning, (Even Ezra). The combined understanding of both defines the spirit of Miketz. The darkest moment is also the brightest.

Miketz The Tribes (38) Likutei Sichos vol. 03 page 819-22. Yosef dreams so everyone in his generation dreams. The dreams of the Pharaoh are opposite of Yosef’s. Yosef’s dreams lead to the purpose of the world, while Pharaoh’s simply set that up.

Miketz The Tribes (39) Likutei Sichos vol. 15 page 339 ff. Yosef’s advice isn’t separate from the .dream’s interpretation, it is a part of it. This demonstrates his full intelligence and raises him up to the level of vizier. In these dreams opposites converge, Galus and Geula. In the source of Yosef the two are...

Miketz The Tribes (40) Likutei Sichos vol. 10 page 129 ff. Yosef knows by process of elimination that he best not tell his father he is alive, even once appointed Vizier. He figures out that God is in on it, and He will give the signal when is the time to disclose this information to...

Miketz The tribes (41) Likutei Sichos vol. 30 page 190 ff. Ya’akov tells his children to get ready to be dependent on the Non-Jews in the time of famine and that this is how God’s miracle would reach them. Because he senses that Golus is coming. In Golus we get our food and knowledge (from...

Miketz The Tribes (42) Likutei Sichos vol. 30 page 198 ff. The brother’s finally stand in front of Yosef, and debate… Teshuva!

Miketz The Tribes (43) Likutei Sichos vol. 25 page 227 ff. Ya’akov is talking to his sons about their upcoming trip to Egypt. He knows what his sons told him, but he senses something more is at hand. So he Davens. He explains that he’s Davening just in case. But the brothers who know the...

Miketz The Tribes (44) Likutei Sichos vol. 35 page 181 ff. Yosef leaves hints for his brothers as to who he is. According to RaShI, they didn’t keep Kosher but he still does things to demonstrates the kind of importance in his treatment of them to lead them to the conclusion, that he is their...

Vayelaket Yosef 5680. In the lack of a Sicha we took a Ma’amar to discuss the story of Yosef’s cup. How the exile applies to Yosef: he is in it and above it. The brothers are in it and suffer it. Binyamin is debated by Yosef and Yehuda. What it means spiritually. [part of this...

Vayigash The Tribes (46) ולא יכול יוסף תער”ג This Ma’amar discusses the mystical significance of Yosef’s revealing himself to his brothers. In Golus when light shines it is higher than ‘אדם’.

Vayigash The Tribes (47) Likutei Sichos vol. 15 page 387 ff. Yosef asks his brothers “Is my father still alive?” though he knows the answer. He says it to underscore the fact that Yaakov had suffered indescribably and should not be kept in suffering for one extra moment. In these words Yaakov’s Galus is being...

Vayigash The Tribes (48) Likutei Sichos vol. 30 page 222 ff. רב עוד יוסף בני חי Upon discovering that his son is alive not only in body but in spirit as well, Ya’akov celebrates what his son Yosef has become, exceeding all expectation.

Vayigash The Tribes (49) Likutei Sichos vol. 30 page 229 ff. Ya’akov is happy to go to Egypt yet apprehensive. How can this be reconciled. The Rebbe reveals that not only are these two feelings not incompatible they are actually mutually interdependent.

Vayigash The Tribes (50) Likutei Sichos vol. 3 page 827 ff, vol. 1 page 95 ff. Yosef is very great but Yaakov sends Yehuda to make a Yeshiva where the students have no other occupation other than learning Torah. Toraso Umnaso is very unique and it has, can, and must exist among Jews even in...

Vayigash The Tribes (51) Likutei Sichos vol. 25 page 252 ff. The Jewish nation in Galus is called Yosef, as Yosef is the source of the strength to survive and thrive in Golus, as he did so better than anyone.

Vayigash The Tribes (52) Likutei Sichos vol. 15 page 405 ff. Jewish people settle in Egypt and take possession of (what is theirs) but it is Egypt. Eventually Egypt will take hold of them. Ultimately however the land’s taking hold of them will result in them leaving Egypt with all Egypt’s wealth!

Introduction to the school year 5776/2015-16: Lives of the Avos, Shevatim and Golus and Geulas Mitzrayim. The pact with non-Jews, the Jewish nation, Iyov tells God there will never be another Avrohom Avinu.

Vayechi The Tribes (54) Likutei Sichos vol. 10 page 160 ff. Yaakov’s best years were in Egypt not because of what was going on with him, but what was going on with his children, who were susceptible to the realities of Golus. Their learning Torah made Yaakov’s stay in Egypt the best moments of his...

Vayechi The Tribes (55) Likutei Sichos vol. 15 page 422 ff. Parshas Vayechi really is about Ya’akov’s passing, yet it is called Vayechi- that Ya’akov lived his best years there! The idea is that life is eternal, and that is only in, and with, God, and only when Ya’akov showed his true connection to Hashem...

Vayechi Likutei Sichos vol. 15 page 432 ff. In Galus there are two ‘first borns’: Yosef’s first born is Menashe: to remember from where you come and not to be influenced by the environment you are in. Ya’akov’s first born is Ephrayim: to succeed and prosper and take something from the Exile and to ultimately...

VaYechi The Tribes (58) Likutei Sichos vol. 20 page 228 ff. Ya’akov wishes to tell his children when the Geula will come and they will leave Egypt. But God doesn’t let him. How could they both be correct [as Ya’akov is a Merkava and above error]?? The answer is perspective: Ya’akov hopes to encourage harder...

VaYechi The Tribes (59) Likutei Sichos vol. 3 page 831 ff. This class explains the unique place of Yosef in Galus: he is both a part of it (not like Yaakov) but altogether above it (not like his brothers). As a result he can initiate it and he can predict its end.

VaYechi The Tribes (60) Likutei Sichos vol 30 page 249 ff. Yosef’s death marks the end of Braishis, because the substance of Shmos- exile to conquer the world, must be inspired and initiated by the Avos. Yosef’s death and Golus empower those who follow after him.