Miketz The Tribes (43) Likutei Sichos – Vol 25 p 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…

Vayeshev The Tribes (34) Likutei Sichos – Vol 25 p 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…

Vayeshev The Tribes (33) Likutei Sichos – Vol 25 p 193 ff This is another version of the same class 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 (29) Likutei Sichos – Vol 25 p 193 ff (version one) 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…

VaYeitze Patriarchs (21) Likutei Sichos – Vol 25 p 150 ff Malachim before, Malachim after; When Yaakov leaves Eretz Yisroel, the local angels cannot lead him into Chutz La’aretz and new Malachim appear, while on his return, the Eretz Yisroel angels come out to greet. The reason: in the beginning they are empowering him and…

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…