VaYera Patriarchs (07) Likutei Sichos Vol 25 p 086 ff Yitzchok’s Bris is superior not only to Yishmael’s but to Avrohom’s as well. Avrohom’s Bris was from higher than reason, but his 99 years of preparation cover this over, and the idea that it is entirely from Hashem is not obvious.

Lech Lecha Patriarchs (03) Likutei Sichos – Vol 25 p 047 ff Whatever happened to Avrohom until Lech Lecha (at the age of seventy five) is not written in the Torah, because as the first Jew, his life doesn’t begin until he gets divine instruction and follows with bittul. The lesson for us: we must…

Rosh Hashana Can we fool the Satan? Five explanations for the idea of ‘fooling the Satan’ 1) The L’vush, we don’t create Yom Tov through Kidush, 2) Rashi, our hiddur Mitzvos discourages him, 3) By cutting back on the Korban of Rosh Chodesh, the Satan leaves us as we are failing ourselves, 4) We feel…

Shoftim In Nigla, it seems so unnecessary to have, let alone add additional cities of refuge. This Sicha offers different reasons for these new cities, until the Rebbe gives us his word: 1) They will serve for those who murder before Moshiach came because, 2) The murdered one’s relatives have a Mitzvah to avenge his…

Balak The idea that there will be no Goyim Liasid Lavo (as understood from the Even Ezra, A Possuk in Zecharia and Raish Lakish), is completely rejected here, on two grounds: 1) There is a need for Goyim and much indication in Torah and Halacha, that they’ll be there 2) The Torah (and Hashem) are…

Vayechi The Tribes (58) Likutei Sichos – Vol 20 p 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…

Toldos Patriarchs (17) Likutei Sichos – vol 20 p 108 ff Aisav is Yitzchok’s son and as he is in Yitzchok, he and Yaakov are just two versions of avodas Hashem, one that is like a Chossid and the other one who overcomes his Yetzer HaRa. Aisav just made bad choices.

Vayera Patriarchs (09) Likutei Sichos – Vol 20 p 73 ff The Akaida is the last great act of Avrohom’s incredible life. Only at this point is the Mesiras Nefesh of Avrohom Avinu revealed to be totally sacrificial, giving credibility to all the sacrifices he’d made until this point.

Noach Patriarchs (01) Likutei Sichos – Vol 20 p 13 ff The Rebbe explains that the RaMbaM considers it important to underscore the idea that Avrohom’s pursuit of God started out initially as a strictly intellectual one. However, he then explains that intellect in and of itself it is not sustainable, as is evidenced from…

VaEra Exile and Redemption (086) Likutei Sichos – Vol 16 p 069 ff Moshe is Elokim to Pharoh, and Aharon is his Navi. Some things can not be delegated; the breaking of Pharoh needed to be done by Moshe. The story of the מאמר ראה נתתיך אלוקים לפרעה.