This week's Sicha learning is sponsored by Shterni Stern in honor of her mother's yahrtzeit, which is today. לע"נ חנה מרים בת משה ע"ה. May Chana Miriam bas Moshe have an aliyah and endless nachas - and most importantly, may all of your loved ones be reunited immediately with the coming of Moshiach!

Theme: The heart knows it’s all for Hashem’s plan.

Thank you to this week’s Sicha Sponsors!

Faigy Katz, in honor of her upcoming birthday Yud Adar, may this be a shnas bracha & hatzlacha!

Esther Weiner, in the zchus that all the hostages and Jewish soldiers should come home with Moshiach NOW!

Ganesha Chaikin In honor of Levi Yitzchok Chaikins birthday, he should bring his parents, bubby and Zaidy and the Rebbe a lot of nachas!

By a group of friends Liiluy Nishmas our dear friend Sara Goldberg on her third yartzheit

Chaya Sara Malka bas Reuven Yehuda, who lived and loved and breathed chassidus and worked on her bitachon through it all! May her children and family experience much nechama and brocha!

Areas when I think “Why is this happening to me?” “Why did I get myself into this mess?”

Lessons from Rashi & The Bigdei Kehuna

…Everything is there to teach you in avodas hashem, but in this case, Rashi got into a more messy situation! Rashi was in a situation that he wished hadn’t happened!

What do I do with something like this that I can still bring this into my Avodas Hashem?

It takes your heart. Your yechida rests in your heart. No experience in the world can blacken the yechida. Even those things that seem to be opposite of the Torah! To be able to take a negative experience and transform it - this power you get from your heart!

Only with your heart, your yechida, can you go through a situation where you see something or experience something that you really did not want to. And then you can find the powerful light within the darkness - here it gave Rashi understanding of the Kohen’s Clothing, the Eifod!

“Why do i have to have this shmutz in my life?!”

Everything is from Hashem

You have to be bothered by it, it’s healthy!

This experience will push you to a place that brings honor to Hashem!

A moment that feels painful - what’s the purpose of this mess? Everything is for a purpose! Listen to your yechida, and find a space that you can elevate & honor Hashem - and ultimately see the light that comes out from this golus, with Moshiach!

Chelek Chof Vov pg 124. Hashem, I’m all Yours.

Commitment to Education of generations of children beyond my basic responsibilities- it’s worth it!

Yosef raising his great-grandchildren and what we can learn from it!

Thank you to 2 Sponsors of this week's sicha learning! Rivky brikman, Chabad of SeaGate/ Coney Island

In honor of 5 teves. May we see our complete didan notzach and may we always bring The Rebbe Nachas ruach!

Thank you to a listener, Esty, who co-sponsored in honor of her upcoming birthday this Sunday! It should be a shnas bracha & hatzlacha!!

Theme: My Light is Enough. When its for the mitzvah, whatever I've got counts!

Today's Sicha is sponsored by Henna Shomer: Empowering Frum Women Through Movement

Henna's Restore Your Core and Prenatal classes offer a proven approach, grounded in a deep understanding of women’s unique needs, to help you rebuild strength, prevent pain, and feel confident in your body—at every stage of motherhood and beyond.

Mrs. Schapiro and I both highly recommend!!

contact at: hennashomer.com 310.279.3315

Theme: Loving my brothers through thick and thin

This sicha was graciously sponsored by Chanie Diskin in honor of her Yom Holedes.Thank you for enabling us to access the Rebbe's Toira in such an accessible form! May all that are involved in this holy project be gebentched with Hatzlocha in all of their endeavors!

גוט יום טוב !

שנה טובה בלימוד החסידות ובדרכי החסידות תכתבו ותחתמו!

This week's Sicha is sponsored by Shaina Zirkind in honor of her birthday.

"Thank you to Etty for arranging this learning weekly and to Mrs. Schapiro for teaching it!!"

This one really hits. That place going from one level to another can be confusing and totally untethered. The nasi asks on all of our behalf that even though right now we look like katonti, a place of confusion, we don't know where to stand on firm ground, Hashem's promise should be fulfilled "Haitiv Eitiv Imach! Hsahem is going to do amazing good things for us!

Likkutei Sichos, Parshas Vayishlach: Chelek Chof pg 166

This sicha is sponsored by Mushka Heidingsfeld with lots of thanks to Mrs. Schapiro in honor of her Shabbos Kallah and upcoming Chasunah! Mazal Tov! Bshaa Tova Umitzlachas Binyan Adei Ad!

Chelek chof page 129

Its Easy for Eretz Yisroel to be ours, access the Yechida Power!

Thank you to this week’s Sicha Sponsors:

Simi Mishulovin in honor of Rabbi & Mrs. Schapiro (YES!) & to thank Hashem for our new baby Shimon (MAZAL TOV!)

& Rochel Zuckerman in honor of our son Binyamin HaLevi on his birthday! (MAZAL TOV!) Today is also her father’s yahrtzeit, we wish their family all the brachos & long, healthy life!

Theme: Thanking Hashem TOGETHER!

1. Hallel, let’s praise Hashem and be aware of Hashem running the show. Big miracles come from Hashem! Big and Small personal ones
2. Praising comes together with achdus, connecting to other Yidden - to all kinds! What kind of achdus? The kind that INCLUDES all yidden!
3. Simcha/shturem that goes on when we all do this together!

Use Sukkos as a time to focus on the GOODNESS, the MIRACLES, with ACHDUS & with JOY!

Sicha: Chelek Chof Gimmel. pg 233

Ruchama Thaler in honor of her mothers yahrtzeit, on zayin tishrei

חיה שרה רחל בת ר׳ חיים יוסף שלמה

May her neshama have an aliyah!

Rochel Zuckerman In honor of her father’s upcoming yartzheit on Yud Daled Tishrei, Shlomo Ben Avraham, may his neshama have an Aliyah!

May all of our learning be in their zchus and the zchus of your families!

Rivky Kirsh of KIRSH JEWELERS: in honor of these sichos: The sichos are real gems! Who better to say this than someone who works with jewels every day and beautifies women - thank you for joining in the spiritual jewelry to help us prepare for Yom Tov!

A Listener who wishes everyone a Gmar Chasima Tova, & a year full of revealed brochos for everyone!

THEME: Taking Teshuva to a whole new level!

Pnimiyus Teshuva, every yid wants one thing - to be connected to Hashem

I don’t feel it! Main thing is STEP into the mikvah - try!

Depth of the relationship WILL unfold (rabbi akiva)

Sometimes where I am right now I can't see that in myself - but all I need to do is take a STEP, move forward, and then Hashem will take things to the next level! Certain situations I stand in and only see Golus, but I can be in my struggle, in my golus and tap into perspective - see “the laughter of Rabbi Akiva” see the future - and tap into future Geulah in today's Golus.

It's time to shake up the Satan! Our attitude is going to make the Satan lose his footing! We are confident that Hashem already gave us a shana tova umetukah!

We want to go into Rosh Hashana without the voice of the Satan at all!

Some customs we do to mix up the Satan: NOT speaking about Rosh Chodesh in the Tefillos of Rosh Hashana, by NOT blowing shofar erev RH, by not bentching the chodesh on Shabbos Mevorchim, we dont start Shabbos Bereishis until after Simchas Torah, plus blowing shofar all Elul confuses the Satan, we blow numerous times throughout RH so even that throws the Satan off.

This idea seems silly. The Satan is no fool. He’s been around every year.

This idea is not to confuse him WHEN Rosh Hashana is, its deeper:

We will fool him with our approach, our attitude that we take this Rosh Hashana!

1. CONFIDENT stand! We go into Rosh Hashana fully confident we are already sealed for a Shana Tova Umesuka!
2. Tremendous Hisorerus from deep within me. I dont want the Satan in my life anymore, this deep inner shofar voice can push me in a way other things cannot
3. Know that sometimes there are things we CAN do to connect to Hashem bsimcha, and sometimes there are things we CANNOT do - this also connects us to Hashem, bsimcha!

Shana Tova Umesukah with true open revealed brachos with Moshiach!

Erev Rosh Hashana, 29 Elul, Chelek Chof Daled, page 222

Sicha Sponsors:

*Huge Mazal Tov to Mrs. Schapiro for her new grandson born today, Boruch Hashem!

*This week’s sicha is sponsored by Hentcha Zavdi in appreciation to Etty & Mrs. Schapiro for helping us stay connected and learn in such a clear, enjoyable, practical way. And as a zchus for Chassidishe, Gezunte and Freiliche children.

*and sponsored by Libby Oster לזכות ולרפואה שלימה לאהרן בן חנה בטוב הנראה והנגלה! We should all have a כתיבה וחתימה טובה a שנה טובה ומתוקה! We should all merit to have the גאולה with Moshiach now!!

Theme: Living with the message that Hashem runs the world.

Thank you to this week’s Sicha Sponsors:

Simi Ghods & Aliza Galinsky in honor and lilui nishmas of Morah Shaindel Glick

A dear friend in honor of the engagement of Yaffa Muchnik!

For a Shidduch for בליומא בת בתשבע קריינדל. Iyh next year to sponsor again in celebration of good news!

& L’ilui nishmas a listener’s father Tzvi Hersh Ben Bentzion, whose yahrzeit is 27 Elul

*if you would like to sponsor an upcoming Sicha please reach out to Etty 619.757.0486

Sicha Summary:

Rashi teaches us that the Torah is instructing us that Hakhel begins at the end of the 7 years, actually referting to the first of the next cycle of shmitah. Because what we learn coming off of shmitah connects us to the goal of Hakhel!

What are the messages of shmitah?

Mitzvas shmitah is generally broken down into 3 parts. 

1. Person has to rest
2. The land has to rest
3. The fruits that do end up growing during shmitah are ownerless, everyone can come and take them. Owner cant keep them.

3 messages of shmitah summed up

1. I am not my own person, Hashem is in charge, Im here to do what Hashem wants
2. Nothing in nature works on its own, its all run by Hashem
3. Nothing that i think is mine is really mine, it's all Hashems and Im Hashems Shliach to use it 

How do they connect with Hakhel?

The portions of the Torah the King reads at Hakhel directly connects to these messages:

1. Shema - Kabalos Ol, Hashem is in charge of my world. You dont have to worry, i can be calm relaxed and happy
2. Vehaya - what makes things grow? When I follow the will of Hashem. What keeps us safe? Hashem! My missiles are my mitzvahs!
3. Maaser/Tzedakah -  I don’t even own it! Its hashems, I get to be Hashem’s shliach and direct the money where it should go.Tzedakah is not out of goodness of my heart, its the RIGHT thing to do. This applies to every area for things we think we own. Hashems in charge, and we get to be the shliach! Our shlichus, a talent, our children, it's not for me and about me, it's what does hashem want me to do with THIS?

Who gives us this message in the most powerful way possible? The melech! The king. As Chassidim we know what it means to be the Rebbe’s messenger, to be botul to the King.

Reaffirm these messages: Hashem takes care of me & my world. Let me seek out Hashem’s mission. Stay in the world of Torah, take this experience and go back into my day to day life - but now with the messages of Shmitah/Hakhel - I can be calm, Hashem’s got me, I can be happy, calm and present - put my efforts in, use my Hashem sense of direction, and not stress about the results.

If someone is in a position of having influence - (beis din) - we can’t stay away from the issue. It needs to get dealt with with clarity. Clarity will shine a powerful light. If a person does end up shoved into a machlokes. Integrity will carry them. Stay true to emes. In the end it will shine through.

We have torah to help us clarify issues and go through hard things, and also to know that integrity lasts and will carry us through.

(Sicha 179. Parshas Ki Seitzei. Chelek Chof Daled. Pg 152.)

BH This week’s sicha was sponsored by Geulah Newman in honor of the imminent Geula today. During this month of elul, מלך בשדה, in appreciation of the  פנים שוחקות and miracles of Hashem. And specifically In gratitude of the Rebbe’s tremendous brachos for 2 babies, bh, both born this week: In honor of the birth of our dear granddaughter אלישבע פיקרסקי שתחי לעו and in honor of our dear grandson, Baby Boy Parnas שיחי לעו. May their parents raise them to תורה, חופה, מעשים טובים ושליחות!

To sponsor a sicha please reach out to Etty Schwartz at 619.757.0486

This Week’s learning was sponsored in honor of the yahrtzeit on Beis Elul of Tzvi ben Shmuel . May his neshama have an aliyah and may his family be reunited all together with the coming of Moshiach!

*to sponsor a Sicha reach out to Etty at 619.757.0486

Topic: The unique (and shocking) mitzvah of “Egla Arufa” - (“decapitated calf”), performed when a murdered person was found out in the field and the killer was unknown.

The details of how this mitzvah is performed highlights the tragedy of what happened with this person. There are different opinions on which part of this tragedy to focus on, the murdered, the murder, or the murderer. Rashi focuses on the ONE who was murdered. We are all responsible for this person. We dont get to “dump” or “excuse away” the situation thinking “maybe somehow this person brought this on himself - not even using Torah sources for this” NO!

We must RUN to look out for each other.

Where do I put my energy? We all have to be shaken up.

Am I ensuring that when ppl go on their way - they will be safe, right food, right clothing, right protection of yiddishkeit and torah and mitzvos? In this month of Elul especially, Hashem is ready for EVERY Jew. I must go out of my way to care for every Jew, not just in the city, but in the field!

With the tragedy of the 6 yidden murdered this week, please take the time to listen to this sicha, and take on an active resolution to reach out to someone else.

This week’s learning is sponsored by an anonymous listener (whos birthday it is today) in honor of all the teachers starting school - that everyone should have a successful year ahead!

Be a sponsor! Reach out ~ 619.757.0486

The world stands on 3 pillars: Torah, Tefillah & Tzedakah

This sicha deep dives into an analysis on quantity vs quality and brings an awareness for us to think about both of these ideas (kamos) quantity and (eichus) quality.

Spoiler Alert: The Rebbe wants us to give top quality to everyone :) our quantity is ready for quality!

1. Learning Lilui nishmas the beautiful woman, wife & shlucha Mrs. Miriam A”H bas Reb Gershon Pinchas Mintz
2. With gratitude to the Rebbe for all the beautiful simchas and that we can continue celebrating together bezras Hashem
3. In honor of Etty’s birthday, may this year be one of brachos ad bli dai.

Be a sponsor! Reach out to Etty 619.757.0486

 ’Two Halves of One Soul’ - Tu B’Av

* ‘Bochur, lift your eyes to Heaven and ask for the soul-mate Hashem wants for you.’ -Bnos Yerushalayim

* ‘May you see your own faults and your spouse’s virtues.’ -the Frierdiker Rebbe

* ‘I so want you to live peacefully together, with one heart and one mind…you are actually one - two halves of one soul.’                                     

-paraphrased from a letter R’ Levik wrote to the Rebbe and Rebbetzin shortly after their wedding

*The Bochur has to be focused on davening to Hashem that he should end up choosing what Hashem wants for him.

(Chelek Chof Daled pg 57)

This week’s learning is sponsored by a new listener (Welcome!) in honor of her Yom Huledes - thank you for choosing these sichos as your birthday gift! Wishing you a shnas bracha & hatzlacha!

Today’s learning is in honor of a refuah sheleima for Frumit bas Sarah !

To sponsor a sicha reach out to Etty at 619.757.0486

Sicha Takeaways:

In this sicha the Rebbe breaks down Rashi on the Possuk where Moshe tells the Yidden that Hashem said “it is a lot for you to be sitting by this mountain”

Idea 1: We gotta keep going & growing . Deepening our yiddishkeit, our chayus and our connection to Hashem. Don't reach a plateau and stay put, we level up!

Idea 2: Eretz Yisroel is Hashem’s Land. We are Hashem’s People. When we step into our greatness the land is ours! With no wars, no need for weapons - Hashem’s land is for Hashem’s people!

*Strengthen WHO we are: Hashem’s People, a holy nation, separate & unique

*With WHAT we do - Torah in the details of our lives - LIVE WITH THIS

*With LEADERSHIP - Rabbanim, Mashpiim, Mesorah - put your leadership in place!

How do we win Eretz Yisroel? BE Hashem’s people!

We will be worthy to come to Eretz Yisroel, in a full complete Eretz Yisroel with all of its borders!

This week's learning sponsored by 3 individuals! Chaya Musha bas Devorah Leah & Henna Shomer both in honor of their Yom Huledes - May this learning be a zchus for a shnas bracha, ad bli dai!!* Thank you for choosing these sichos as your birthday gift!

Learning sponsored also by Susan Shapiro in honor of the yahrtzeit of her mother (my Safta!) Basya bas Nessa. May her neshama have an aliyah and endless nachas!

Want to get in on sponsoring? Reach out to Etty 619.757.0486

Sicha Summary Notes

Ever had a moment where you were really stuck in your own challenge?

In this month of Menachem Av, we comfort Hashem for the pain He is in.

There are 2 dimensions of Hashem’s pain of being in golus

1. Shchina is with the yidden in Golus. When we experience our Geulah it is Hashem’s Geulah. Our neshamos are always Godly, no choice there, but our bodies - that dont reflect godliness, those Hashem chose! When we are physically (body) in golus, so is Hashem.

2. Like a king who said to his servants, if you are looking for me, I am going to be next to my son.

What is deeper about this that is being added?

Differentiation! Jewish Mothers - we get it! Where my kid is, that's where Ill be.

2 different situations

The father feels obvious cherishing of the child, bringing nachas! Warm fuzzy feeling, my delicious child, i'm with them! - neshama part of the yid, nachas producer , neshama is never affected by the golus

Rebbe adding! This is also true when it comes to the body. The body does NOT show Hashem. It looks just as coarse as other bodies. Mashal - if you are looking for me, I am going to be with my son. Ya this is my kid, i go with him everywhere he is at. Hashem is with us in our tumah . Essential connection

Only in the Jewish Body (vs soul) do you see the connection of Hashems essence. I'm with my kid. Period.

Hashem is ALWAYS with us.

Menachem Av - Hashem is here as the father to his child.

Level 1 nachas connection - neshama experience

Level 2 essential connection - body experience

Taking this even deeper...

We also suffer loss, How can we comfort Hashem?

The greatness of what the child can do > parents

Like a blue eyed child born from brown eyed parents, the child reveals a recessive gene his parents have, but did not display.

You have incredible power! Show up with all the emunah, all the positivity - WOW! This was always there in Hashem but not expressed until a Yid does this.

We have the ability through our physical struggles, we are bringing out a koiach always there in Hashem - that had not yet been brought out.

All of us showing up in Mitzvos, Torah, we are bringing out Hashems “recessive DNA”. there is no such thing as a ME struggle - don't ever feel alone, you are Hashems essence being expressed. Feel empowered! We can define the golus, tap into incredible koiach, Hashems essence pumping through us. Shift to new approach: Moshiach!

(Parshas Matos-Maasei, Chelek Chof Gimmul page 214)

Learning sponsored in honor of Mushkie Itkin’s Yom Huledes Want to get in on sponsoring? PM 619-757-0486!

This Sicha delves into the appointment of Yehoshua as Moshe’s successor. The Rebbe masterfully quotes and questions Rambam and other sources in Torah to highlight the difference of Moshe/Yehoshua (considered kings) from future Jewish kings like Shaul. While Jewish kings are anointed by oil, Yehoshua is not. Hashem told Moshe “one who tends the fig tree will eat of its fruit” - meaning Yehoshua who spent his entire life studying, living & breathing Torah - he will be the new leader . By future Kings there was a separation of leadership - the King: ruler, law, wars, needs of the people, and the Head of Sanhedrin: lead the ruchnius, the Torah angle, etc

Moshe transmitted the entire Torah to Yehoshua in a unique way. Jewish sovereignty isn't just to oversee the physical needs of the people, it begins with elevating the people.

Yehoshua, constantly involved in torah, was appointed through smicha,(Moshe used 2 hands and transmitted the leadership to him) This is a term specific to Torah.

Original Leadership according to Torah is THROUGH Torah you lead it all - 1 unified force.

One inclusive leader with “Leadership qualities” to pull nation together. Based first on what? On Torah.

Shaul is first king who is the executor of Torah

Moshe and Yehoshua are an extension of Torah

Torah becomes the source FOR The practical work the king will later do

Level of Avodah:

From another sicha of the rebbe (Rebbe spoke at the last kinus hashluchim, chaya sara nun beis)

Moshiach = SHLIACH plus YUD

For a person to fully bring Moshiach he cannot use only certain parts of himself. He has to bring his total self into the picture.

Moshiach is like Moshe & Yehoshua - both a Rav and a Melech

Real geulah is to have encompassing form, rav and melech - the technicals & the Torah

Each one of us may have a different strength in the style leadership that we are comfortable with. Real ultimate goal is to incorporate all together - Live a SOUL reality - where Torah flows through us and is the foundation of whatever goal we have.

You have it in you!

Let’s try to think of ways that we can be merging our lives into one vision - our gashmius & our ruchnius together, with Torah reality flowing through.

Today marks the liberation of the Frierdiker Rebbe from Soviet prison. “Only with the Baal Shem Tov’s approach to Hashgacha Protis was I able to make it through the imprisonment.” The Frierdiker Rebbe’s approach was that the physical & psychological suffering of his situation wasn’t suffering, but a zchus - so what was painful? The deeper pain of What is going to be with Hashem’s plan while I am not able to continue the mission of spreading yiddishkeit in the world in the best way possible.

Employee vs Owner. At the end of the day the employee is satisfied that he did all he could. The owner cares about the bottom line! Did we accomplish what is needed?

True for neshamos in this world - sometimes things aren't working out, we can trust in Hashem - and sleep well. But when you are the owner - it's painful that it's not being accomplished! Even if I can check all the boxes of doing my job - I can't rest!

When so bound with Hashem - you are like the owner - You want the mission accomplished!

What helped the Frierdiker Rebbe - and therefore empowers us?

Baal Shem Tov introduced chassidishe Hashgacha Protis- everything is part of the big plan. NOTHING insignificant! Everything ties back to kavanas habriyos.

ANY situation where we feel SO stuck we need to know to not despair. Despair is a liar! Ein Od Milvado! This itself is part of Hashem’s plan - grab the moment & find a way to reveal elokus in THIS situation.

Think about moments of imprisonment or stuckness in my own life. Mentality of our Rebbe - not only good WILL Come out of this, there is good IN this NOW. Reveal it.

In this Sicha we see the great miracle of the Yidden being saved from the huge threat of their enemies in the Valley of Arnon. Rashi deep dives into this and explores how this miracle happened without our knowledge of the threat or the miracle - until the Well showed us what Hashem protected us from.

Hashems great miracles are happening without us even realizing.

Moshe, like a devoted mother, is informed of it all and raises our awareness to sing the song of gratitude. The Rebbe wakes us up to the truth of the geulah happening - Miracles around us and bringing us to a space where we can burst into the ultimate song of Moshiach!

(Chelek Chof Gimmel pg 148)

The Rebbe deep dives into Rashi’s comments on Hashem giving Aharon the gifts of kehuna a) a statement of joy and b) 24 Gifts show eternal commitment - why these come together and how the kehuna is an eternal Hashem-given reality.

We always read Parshas Korach as we enter the month of Tammuz. From the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Arrest we come to spreading yiddishkeit to every part of the world and the final geulah. Sometimes we go through a difficult time, filled with obstacles & challenges - the message of Tammuz, and this sicha is, We will come stronger and better than ever before. We can access Joy & get rid of the inner-korach voices that try to cool us down, marching to geulah with joy & confidence!

(Chelek Chof gimmel pg 123)

(Chelek Chof Gimmel pg 104)

(Chelek Chof Gimmel pg 73)

In parshas Toldos we learn that Hashem made a big miracle to respond to the scoffers, to make Yitzchaks face look just like Avraham. This doesn’t seem like such a big deal – but in connection to the language used by krias yam suf, we learn that its “a big deal / difficult” when 2 opposites are held in one space. (By krias yam suf – the waters miraculously saved the Jews, and destroyed the Egyptians – these 2 realities were the “difficulty” of that miracle).

Here we also have 2 opposites. Avraham is complete chessed, while Yitzchak is gevurah. Hashem made Yitzchak (gevurah) look like Avraham – *both outside AND from the inside!* This is the difficult thing Hashem did. True chessed is chessed WITH gevurah. To pour water unconditionally, a person could drown, but to pour water with gevurah – the receiver can drink and benefit from the water – truly a chessed! *Chessed WITH Gevurah allows the good to be accessed.*

What can we take away from this? Everything we learn about the Avos is a lesson for us

1) Each one of us can combine within ourselves the power of Avraham, Yitzchak & Yaakov. Yitzchak looked like Avraham is the ultimate combo of bringing together Chessed and Gevurah. A heart can carry tears and joy at the same time. With our relationship with Hashem, we can truly combine them.

We could pick a time to be sad, and then flip and pick a time to be happy. OR, more challenging but also more pnimiusdike, we can contain this bitterness and joy at the SAME TIME. _B”H *Joy & Fear Simultaneously *-P’ Toldos_

“Rabbi, how can people dance now, isn’t it inappropriate?”

“Hashem changed Yitzchok’s face to mirror Avraham’s.”

Yitzchok who was gevurah/fear, began exuding joy and loving kindness.

Because we’re connected to the Infinite One, we can hold opposing emotions simultaneously.

So we danced that Simchas Torah, and continue to do so.

When not sure how to react, always err on the side of Chessed - in our homes and with our fellows.

And keep dripping the Chassidus IV on every Jew you meet. They’re each Hashem’s long lost sons whom he longs for to come home.

_Based on Chasidus Once a Week with Mrs. Fruma I. Schapiro:_

_https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zTTZlMbjGhnK1v06AY3DJ?si=3LT0Axe9S6WbDLJbd90ubA_

*We are the children of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov and when the world around is in a state of horror, we can maintain BOTH the scream of Ad Mosai and the joy of knowing Moshiach is coming now!* Each one of us can aim for this goal, have moments of both emotions at the same time.

2) When Hashem was figuring this all out – Whose image was formed to match whose? Avraham was first! Sometimes we have to choose on the approach of chessed or gevurah - err on the side of chessed. Take your “Yitzchak moment” and make him into “a chessed moment”. When a challenge comes our way and we are not sure which way to respond – with kindess or restraint, follow Hashem’s example. *Better to err on the side of overly kind, than the side of being overly gevurah-dik*

3) Toldos in Kislev – the month where Chassidus gets spread everywhere, pouring out! Feel comfortable to bring messages of chassidus into ALL types of situations. Take these ideas all the way to chutzah. Spreading chassidus outward is an act of chessed. Initially, chassidus was held back (gevurah). But the essence of the Jewish people is connected to the essence of Hashem. Unity has the ability to combine together chessed and gevurah.

Yitzchak should be similar to Avraham. What is meant to be hidden, Hashem made revealed. And so we should spread Chassidus...]]>*This month is Chodesh HaGeulah, a month filled with joy and celebration. Yet, our hearts are heavy with the reality of what’s going on in Eretz Yisroel and for our nation right now. How do we navigate these 2 opposite spaces?*

In parshas Toldos we learn that Hashem made a big miracle to respond to the scoffers, to make Yitzchaks face look just like Avraham. This doesn’t seem like such a big deal – but in connection to the language used by krias yam suf, we learn that its “a big deal / difficult” when 2 opposites are held in one space. (By krias yam suf – the waters miraculously saved the Jews, and destroyed the Egyptians – these 2 realities were the “difficulty” of that miracle).

Here we also have 2 opposites. Avraham is complete chessed, while Yitzchak is gevurah. Hashem made Yitzchak (gevurah) look like Avraham – *both outside AND from the inside!* This is the difficult thing Hashem did. True chessed is chessed WITH gevurah. To pour water unconditionally, a person could drown, but to pour water with gevurah – the receiver can drink and benefit from the water – truly a chessed! *Chessed WITH Gevurah allows the good to be accessed.*

What can we take away from this? Everything we learn about the Avos is a lesson for us

1) Each one of us can combine within ourselves the power of Avraham, Yitzchak & Yaakov. Yitzchak looked like Avraham is the ultimate combo of bringing together Chessed and Gevurah. A heart can carry tears and joy at the same time. With our relationship with Hashem, we can truly combine them.

We could pick a time to be sad, and then flip and pick a time to be happy. OR, more challenging but also more pnimiusdike, we can contain this bitterness and joy at the SAME TIME. _B”H *Joy & Fear Simultaneously *-P’ Toldos_

“Rabbi, how can people dance now, isn’t it inappropriate?”

“Hashem changed Yitzchok’s face to mirror Avraham’s.”

Yitzchok who was gevurah/fear, began exuding joy and loving kindness.

Because we’re connected to the Infinite One, we can hold opposing emotions simultaneously.

So we danced that Simchas Torah, and continue to do so.

When not sure how to react, always err on the side of Chessed - in our homes and with our fellows.

And keep dripping the Chassidus IV on every Jew you meet. They’re each Hashem’s long lost sons whom he longs for to come home.

_Based on Chasidus Once a Week with Mrs. Fruma I. Schapiro:_

_https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zTTZlMbjGhnK1v06AY3DJ?si=3LT0Axe9S6WbDLJbd90ubA_

*We are the children of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov and when the world around is in a state of horror, we can maintain BOTH the scream of Ad Mosai and the joy of knowing Moshiach is coming now!* Each one of us can aim for this goal, have moments of both emotions at the same time.

2) When Hashem was figuring this all out – Whose image was formed to match whose? Avraham was first! Sometimes we have to choose on the approach of chessed or gevurah - err on the side of chessed. Take your “Yitzchak moment” and make him into “a chessed moment”. When a challenge comes our way and we are not sure which way to respond – with kindess or restraint, follow Hashem’s example. *Better to err on the side of overly kind, than the side of being overly gevurah-dik*

3) Toldos in Kislev – the month where Chassidus gets spread everywhere, pouring out! Feel comfortable to bring messages of chassidus into ALL types of situations. Take these ideas all the way to chutzah. Spreading chassidus outward is an act of chessed. Initially, chassidus was held back (gevurah). But the essence of the Jewish people is connected to the essence of Hashem. Unity has the ability to combine together chessed and gevurah.

Yitzchak should be similar to Avraham. What is meant to be hidden, Hashem made revealed. And so we should spread Chassidus everywhere, without restraint!

SO:

Go with chessed!

Put it all out there!

Spread chassidus!

Feel both of these opposing emotions!

And when not sure how to act, err on the side of chessed! Be there for someone else, instead of pulling away!

May this month of Geulah being the ultimate chessed, the ultimate hug, with the coming of Moshiach!

Today's learning is sponsored by one of our listeners in zchus of a special IDF Chayal - Eyal Natan Ben Liora who is in Eretz Hakodesh defending our people. May Eyal and all the chayalim witness complete miracles beyond our comprehension!

Appreciating one another - Break the axe! and look out for the good in someone else! Be like the woodchoppers on behalf of the mizbeach, act like the girls of yerushalayim and look to eachother with no one greater than the other, but all together in achdus, dancing - in one unified circle. May we all be truly unified, in full circle, with the coming of Moshiach!

The Macabees showed us how to

sacrifice everything and connect to the yechida in our soul, where true peace prevails and leaves no room for opposition.

Each Shabbos, our candles symbolize the same. The small flame of a 3 year old girl does much to replace darkness with joy, respite, and peace.

Imagine that all the the flames of our Shabbos and Chanukah lights come together. They would burst into a great big bonfire to overcome all darkness and usher in the final days of “no hunger or war, no competition or jealousy.”

This Shabbos Chanukah, approach your lights with _*Simcha, Menucha, and Shalom*_ and share these messages with everyone you can.

Yitzchak "I do not know my day of passing" and gives the brachos to his son.

Where is Yitzchak coming from when he asks this?

Within 5 years of his mother’s passing, its a time to think about your passing.

Rebbe analyzes this Rashi.

Why isn’t coming to older age enough?

Rebbe points out that the reason Rashi points out the parents, the years of the parents. Hashem gave Yiztzchak a special bracha (in last weeks parsha)

Eisav would come out from him and Avraham was nervous theyd go to him. So he let Hashem give Yitzchak the bracha directly so it would go exactly where it should go. He received this amazing bracha directly from Hashem. One of those was arichus yamim.

Why concern himself with passing away? He knows he has Hashem’s bracha.

Measure himself against the lifespan of your parents, 5 years before and 5 years after

Wouldnt he be living past his mothers life span? He had the bracha of arichus yamim, will be super natural!

Sara and Avraham also received brachos from Hashem. They were already ba bayamim when they had Yitzchak. They lived extra years!

Yitzchak also has an extra bracha. Cheshbon. Mothers true lifespan was actually 90. 90 + 37 extra years, would equal where he is now, “i do not know the day of my passing”

Yitzchak does take this into account.

Rebbe - let’s understand Yitzchaks mindset

Yitzchak is gevurah

Gevurah - more strict

How many more years she actually lived

At 123 he should already consider arichus yamim, from a gevurah style calculation.

Message:

When our own minds go to this gevurah approach.

Calculate the chesbonos,

We need to take the FULL picture of Yitzchak.

Not only this approach of yitzchak,

Yitzchak was already taking this calculation into account “shortest way”

He doesnt take into account that really Sara could have lived longer

90, so he counts from 85

+37

All of that is a gevurah approach.

Yitzchaks way of looking at everything is limited

Thats when you make cheshbonos about YOURSELF

When it came to give brachos for someone else!

He goes Harchava!

No tzimtzum in his brachos!

“Tal hashamayim umishmanei haaretz”

He gives a pouring of brachos, from heaven and earth!

Even more bharchava than moshes brachos!

He pours the brachos onto Yaakov in an unlimited way!

((Yitzchak also does live the longest))

Horaah: we wake up in the morning with gevurah. Our time, our finances, our schedule its all tzimtzumdik. For ourselves.

But when we encounter another yid - even when in gevurah mode - that approach is only for myself! When it comes to another yid - an approach of chessed, love, acceptance, joyous, positive!

I want to move into tzimtzum. My kids get harchava love. Open wide generous, unlimited!

Give the best, give the most!

Give the compliments, the goodness!

And hashem should unfold and bench us with the same type of harchava as we approach others! And Hashem should pour the biggest brachos with Moshiach!

We start out facing what we think is the reality of the world.

I have a circumstance in my life (external, internal, or even something we could be something inside of me, it could be myself putting up a block). It feels like it's really true and it's really there and it feels like I need to deal with it. My etzem haneshama (the part that is connected to the atzmus of Hashem) realizes that the whole world is for Yidden. There is nothing that can stop me from carrying out my mission.

When we have this mindset, the shadows just melt away because they are not really real.

You have a neshama. There is nothing that could possibly block you. There is nothing that can stop you. You are unstoppable. The world that you live in and the specific circumstances of your life are all there for you for you to be your best self and to serve Hashem.

Just this mindset alone, is what gives strength to this true reality.

Look around you and you may be facing so much darkness

Hashem is giving you all the koach that you need to be able to come into this world and to face the darkness and transform it into light.

Each word of the pesukim are going to show how Hashem is here for us.

Moshe & Aaron teach us the Laws of Chinuch!

#1 Ingrain in yourself that your talent is a GIFT, I didnt make it, I only choose what to DO with it. and #2: Seek out the greatness in others! Get to know how incredible you are and then tap into it! Right now - you have the big Alef ~ you can rise above! you can accomplish! Regardless of my previous habits, past, etc. And look at others and realize, if someone else had these gifts, they could use it better. Look at others & seek out their greatness, talent and beauty!

a) Lo Yisbarech - essence of Hashem

b) Dirah - consistency, permanence

c) Btachtonim - here in the lowest place - tachtonim in Torah, mitzvos and people. The essence of Hashem can be found in a true, permanent way, down here in this world. This being our goal - we need to conduct ourselves in these specific ways.

a) Lo Yisbarech - I need to do my job because its what Hashem wants, not me.

b) Dirah - as a human its hard to be consistent, i can only be consistent if I have a higher agenda - if I stick with Hashems agenda, and the Rebbes agenda (which is Hashems agenda. And where should this be?

c) In Tachtonim - halacha (torah), maaseh bpoel, action is the main thing to do (mitzvos) and specifically focusing on the children! (people) Practically where does this all lead us to needing to focus in on?

There must be a tremendous focus on chinuch al taharas hakodesh. We can impact our children, our schools, the chinuch of our children!!! This that the Frierdiker Rebbe had such huge mesiras nefesh for, and Chassidim literally lost their lives for, we must focus on our childrens chinuch - being Al Taharas HaKodesh!!

(Likkutei Sichos Chelek Yud Tes, page 89)