Vayeshev: above work and yerida tzorach aliya is real and constant peace that is after descending into Eretz Migurei Aviv and (lower still) Eretz Kinaan. Later he descends further into Mitzrayim and achieves an even higher VaYechi! How this ties into Chanuka, Golus etc.

Rani ViSimchi is the Maamar of Chanuka (and Bihaalosecha, after Shavuos). It explains three levels and then a fourth. The three are the regular concerns of a Yid: 1) Mitzvos, 2) Torah 3) Mesiras Nefesh in the daily performance of Torah and Mitzvos. The fourth is called ‘Bas Tzion’ and emerges in Golus, when the…

Class One. This part of the Ma’amar (which is the largest part of the Ma’amar) explores many levels of life and connection: 1) Food and drink, 2) Wine, 3) Water that is higher than wine, 4) Oil, 5) Good smell, 6) Light. Each of these six are found in the Beis HaMikdash and the Ma’amar…

To get to the Essence you must go in order and start from the very Bottom. Osiyos before Ohr in Torah, Mitzvos Maasoyos before any Kavana. Bas Tzion.

This Ma’amar is a Chanuka Ma’amar, because it has at its foundation the idea of ירידה צורך עלי’ה. In this class the Rebbe uses the language of פרצת כל הגדרים. The level of בת ציון is the the lowest level and is connected to action, of Mitzvos, but it reaches higher than אחותי and אמי.

Class One. To understand the מנורה of חנוכה we first discuss the מנורה that lit in the בית המקדש. The מנורה’s seven branches are the seven מדות, and there is זה לעומת זה and לאום מלאום יאמץ between the seven of נפש האלקוית and the seven מדות of the נפש הבהמית. To guarantee that קדושה…

Three types of candles exist: 1) The Menora in the Beis Hamikdash, 2) Shabbos Candles, 3) Chanuka Candles. The first two are lighted by day as they are Aharon’s lighting up the Jewish Souls “in the place of light”, while Chanuka Candles light up the Jewish Soul “in the place of darkness’. This Maamar includes…

Class One. Peace exists on two levels: 1) You fight and win resoundingly, 2) there is no fight in the first place, the enemy is automatically vanquished. In Vayeshev, Yaakov is aspiring to the higher peace but gets instead the lower one: In golus Mitzrayim he has tranquility. Class Two. The Chanuka miracles are like…

Megillas Antiyuchus, Part One. The oldest text that deal with Chanuka DO tell the story of the miracle of finding the jug of oil.

Ve’al HanissimThe prayer said in Shemona Esrei and benching (in “Hoda’a”) its meaning (in part) and where we recite it and why. This class is based on source material. Some of the thoughts however are (semi)original and each person will judge for himself. First Version. (5668). Second Version. (5669).