Yosef And Levi, How To Succeed In The Exile

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In this week's parsha, Vayechi, Yaakov passed away, his sons carried him to Israel and buried him in Hebron. Rashi tells us how his casket was carried, three of the tribes on each side, in the same order as they would later camp in the desert. Rashi continues to say, that "Levi didn't carry (Yaakov) because he would later carry the Ark (of the Covenant), and Yosef didn't carry, because he was a king. Menashe and Efraim (carried) in their stead." 

It would seem that even though Yosef was a king, he still should have carried his father, because he is the one who Yaakov made take an oath that, "you will carry me from Egypt." Why was Yosef excluded from bearing Yaakov's casket?

Levi was not to carry it because he was going to carry the Ark. This is problematic, because he himself wouldn't carry the Ark, rather it is referring to his descendants hundreds of years in the future. And actually, when it came to the Exodus, Moshe himself, who was from the tribe of Levi, carried Yosef's bones out of Egypt. Why was Levi excluded from bearing Yaakov's casket? And if there is a good reason for the tribe of Levi not to carry it, why did Moshe make a point to carry Yosef's bones? 

Another question. Rashi explains that "Menashe and Efraim (carried) in their stead." If Yosef and Levi weren't allowed to carry, why did they have to have someone carry in their stead? 

And finally, it makes sense to have Menashe or Efraim carry on behalf of Yosef, because children stand in for their father. But what connection is there between Levi and Yosef's children, that they should be the ones to stand in on his behalf? 

Yaakov's passing allowed for the exile in Egypt, as Rashi tells us that "When Yaakov our patriarch passed... the servitude began." Not that it actually began with his passing, but that it allowed for it, because as long as Yaakov was alive and in Egypt, no exile could exist, because Yaakov was above any exile. Taking Yaakov out of Egypt signaled the start of the Egyptian exile. Both Yosef and Levi could have no part in the commencement of the Egyptian exile, as I will explain. 

About Yosef, the Torah says, "These are the children of Yaakov, Yosef," and it doesn't continue to list the other brothers. It is telling us that Yosef was exactly like Yaakov, above any exile. This is symbolized by the idea of a king that is above it all. That is why the Midrash tells us that "As long as Yosef was alive, they didn't have the burden of Egypt." Because Yosef, like Yaakov was above any exile. 

The Ark had in it the Ten Commandments. Carrying the Ark symbolized carrying the Torah, as it was the tribe of Levi that were the teachers of Torah throughout the Egyptian exile. This began with Levi himself. Being that they took on the burden of Torah, the burden of the exile was removed from them, as the tribe of Levi never was forced into servitude. So in a way they were above the exile as well. Levi himself was completely above the exile, as Rashi says, "Why does it recount the (number of) years of Levi's life?... Because as long as one of the brothers was alive, there was no servitude... And Levi outlived them all." 

Later by the Exodus, taking Yosef's bones out of Egypt, signaled the redemption, the opposite of Yaakov, so it was specifically done by the tribe of Levi, by the head of the tribe, the redeemer himself, Moshe. 

When the Jewish people left Egypt, they left with great wealth. The tribe of Levi also came out with great wealth. You may ask, if they weren't enslaved like the rest of the Jewish people, why did they deserve the reward? 

The answer is, that they were also in the exile, although they were not slaves, they provided a necessary and vital service to the Jewish people. 

The purpose of the exile, is not so we can suffer, rather, that we succeed in taking out of it spiritual and physical benefit, accomplishing  for Hashem what he put us in the exile to do. But at times the exile gets so dark and bitter, we could forget what we are here to do and what the goal is. At these times, we need someone who could see the big picture, someone who is not stuck in the mire of the exile, to remind us why we are here and to lift our spirits. In this way, they transform the exile into a meaningful, purposeful and possibly into a positive event. This was the job of the tribe of Levi and they did it well, so they deserved there reward. 

This will help us understand how Menashe and Efraim were in the place of Yosef and Levi. 

Why did Yosef name his first son Menashe? Because "G-d has made me forget all my hardships, and all my father's home." In other words, Yosef realized that with his success in Egypt, it was possible for him to forget his father's home, where he came from and what he was all about. So he named his son Menashe, not to forget. 

This is one of the goals of every Jew in exile, to ensure that he doesn't forget where he comes from and what he is all about. 

And this was the way of Yosef, he set himself up to remember his father's home in every situation, raising him above the exile. So Menashe represented Yosef. 

Why did Yosef name his second son Efraim? Because "G-d has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." This is the second goal of every Jew in exile, to realize that there is meaning in his being in exile and find a way to succeed in his purpose no matter how difficult it is. 

This was the way of Levi, to transform the exile into a meaningful and purposeful event. To succeed in difficult times, to turn the darkness itself into light. So Efraim represented Levi. 

They needed to both be represented, because as mentioned above, Yaakov being taken out of Egypt signaled the start of the exile, and since both of these goals are necessary for the Jewish people in exile, both had to be represented. 

My family has been suffering for years now, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. All of the struggles that come with ALS, not being able to live a normal life. My wife Dina, not having a husband who can do normal husband things. On top of that, there is so much that has fallen on her shoulders because of my illness and because I can't do the things I used to do. My children, not having a father that could hug them, and do the things that a father does for and with his children. Harder than all that is the uncertainty, not knowing, not being able to breathe, the possibility that at any moment there could be a scare that will knock you off your feet, or even worse... How am I to comfort and reassure my wife and children? How can I give them some stability? It is heartbreaking when I think of what they must be going through. It is so difficult to deal with these questions and I will not always succeed, but I have to try. 

Perhaps this teaching can help. If we can recognize that Hashem put us in this dark and difficult situation, maybe we can find meaning in it and it will make it easier. Knowing that there is a bigger picture, we can use our situation to succeed in doing what Hashem wants. Remembering where we come from and who we are, will help us rise above the difficulties. I know that it isn't the perfect answer and it won't fix the problem, but it will help us through it somewhat. 

It also helps to realize, that just as something scary can happen at any moment, something good can happen at any moment and we could have a reason to celebrate. In the blink of an eye, Hashem will send Moshiach to take us out of this dark and bitter exile, and put an end to all the suffering and uncertainty. May he come soon, we all have suffered enough.
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Dedicated to my wife Dina and to my children who are amazing, and don't have it easy. I love you all so much. May Hashem send us a salvation, His salvation is in the blink of an eye.

Revealing Our Essence

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In this week's parsha, Vayechi, Yaakov blessed his children, before he passed away. To Yehuda he said, "Yehuda, your brothers will praise you." Rashi explains, that after Yaakov rebuked Reuven, Shimon and Levi, Yehuda was afraid that he would be rebuked as well and Yaakov understood what he was feeling. So he said, "Yehuda, your brothers will praise you." Meaning, you don't have to be rebuked, on the contrary, you will be praised. 

Every verse in the Torah can be understood on many levels. What deeper meaning can be found in this verse, to help us serve Hashem better? 

We understand from Rashi, that these words to Yehuda, come in conjunction to what came before, Yaakov's words to Reuven, Shimon and Levi. 

Reuven was named by his mother Leah, Reuven comes from the word ra'ah which means seen, as she said, "Hashem has seen my humiliation." Reuven is symbolic of the first paragraph of the Shema, in which we connect with Hashem on a level of sight, as if we see Him. Sight is a very powerful sense, much greater than hearing. When you see something you know that it is true and nobody can talk you out of it, because you saw it. When we are connected to Hashem on the level of sight, we understand Him the greatest way we can, and we connect with Him through love. This is why we say in the first paragraph of the shema, "And you will love Hashem your G-d." 

Shimon comes from the word shama, heard. Leah named him Shimon, "because Hashem heard that I felt hated." Shimon is symbolic of the second paragraph of the Shema, V'haya, in which we connect with Hashem out of fear. It begins, "And it will be, if you will hear," and later it continues, "Beware, lest you be mislead," this is the idea of fear that comes from hearing, a step lower than seeing. 

Levi comes from the word yilaveh, attached or accompanied. As Leah said, "this time my husband will be attached to me." Levi is symbolic of the paragraph after the Shema, that begins with, "Emes v'yatziv..." And after fifteen accolades it continues, "this thing is upon us forever and ever." "This thing" refers to the Torah, that attaches us to Hashem. 

These three steps are the preparation for the Amida, where we are so humbled and so nullified before Hashem, that we can't speak. That is why we begin the Amida with the verse, "Hashem, open my lips and my mouth will tell Your praises," because if we did it right, we wouldn't be able to speak. 

Yehuda comes from the word odeh, which means to thank, praise or admit. As Leah said, "this time I will thank Hashem." To thank, praise or admit, is to recognize the other, and that takes humility. Yehuda is symbolic of the Amida, where we stand before Hashem, and at that moment only He exists, you don't exist, because through the steps of Reuven, Shimon and Levi, Shema, V'haya and Emes v'yatziv, we become totally humbled and we stand before Hashem in total nothingness. 

This state of nothingness before Hashem is the natural state of the neshama, G-dly soul, which is the essence of a Jew. It is just that the animal soul, the body, the physical world and the dark exile, covers up who we are, our essence. But at times we can reveal it, and one of these times is when we reach the Amida. 

Another way that a  Jew can always tap into his essence, is through the "Three things the world stands on, Torah, Avodah (prayer) and doing kindness." 

Reuven is connected to the first paragraph of the Shema, which is about loving Hashem. Loving Hashem is at the core of loving every Jewish person, because the essence of every Jew is the neshama, which is a part of Hashem. This love is the root of all acts of kindness. The first step is Reuven, doing kindness. 

Shimon is connected to the second paragraph of the Shema, which is about fear and awe of Hashem. Avodah is connecting to Hashem through prayer, standing before Him in awe and fear, recognizing how awesome and great He is. The second step is Shimon, Avoda. 

Levi is connected to the paragraph after the Shema, which is about Torah. It is through Torah study that we become "attached" and one with Hashem. The greatest bond we can have with Hashem, is through Torah study. Hashem and His Torah are one, so when you learn Torah and you understand it, you are making Him part of who you are. The third step is Levi, attachment to Hashem through Torah study. 

These three steps bring out our essential selflessness before Hashem, our Yehuda, which is the essence of every Jew, as all of the Jewish people are called Yehuda. 

The verse continues, "your hand will be on the neck of your enemies." Meaning, that when our essence shines the world is affected by us, as our sages say, that "When our voice is the voice of Yaakov, in the houses of prayer and the houses of Torah study, then the hands of Eisav have no power over us." To the contrary, instead of working against us, they help us serve Hashem. 

May our acts of kindness, Torah and Avodah reveal our essence, and effect the world, to the point that our light shines so bright, that Moshiach will come and lead us to our Holy Land. May it happen soon, the time has come. 

Yehuda Vs. Yosef

This Dvar Torah Is Dedicated 
This is written in honor of the redemption of Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin, the Rubashkin family, who have been shining examples of faith and belief in G-d, and all of those who worked so hard for so long to finally achieve what we have all been praying for.

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This week's parsha, Vayigash, begins, "And Yehuda approached him (Yosef)." This confrontation between Yehuda and Yosef begins in the parsha and ends in the Haftora, which talks about the uniting of Yosef and Yehuda in the time of Moshiach. Then it says, "And My servant David will reign over them. . . And David My servant will be Nassi over them forever." David, the king from the tribe of Yehuda and the progenitor of Moshiach, is symbolic of both. 

This confrontation between Yehuda and Yosef is deeper and more meaningful than just the story in the parsha. It is two worldviews colliding, and in the end the way of Yehuda reigns supreme. What are these two approaches? 

The Zohar says that Yehuda's approaching Yosef is the same idea as having geula (redemption) near tefila (prayer). To explain. In the morning prayer, just before the amida, we say verses about redemption, that ends with "Blessed are You Hashem, Who redeems Israel." And then we immediately begin the amida, so you have redemption near prayer. 

The problem with the Zohar's comparison, is that it seems to be reversed. You see, in Kabbalistic thought (the Zohar is a book of Kabbalah), Yosef symbolizes redemption and Yehuda symbolizes prayer. In the parsha, Yehuda approaches Yosef, meaning that redemption staying in its place, and prayer comes near to it, showing that redemption is superior. However, in our prayers, we bring redemption near prayer. Meaning that the redemption is there for the prayer, and that prayer is superior. 

Yosef is the complete Tzadik, meaning, that his job is to shine light onto the world and inspire. He affects the world by flooding it with great light from above, motivating the people to be good. The problem is that he doesn't change the world, and as soon as the light is gone, the world reverts to its old self. This is the idea of redemption in the form of a great light from above. 

Yehuda is the king, the main job of the king is to serve the nation, in other words, to deal with the world from the bottom up, motivating the people to change themselves. This kind of change is real and everlasting. This is the idea of prayer, it is serving Hashem from the bottom up. 

What is more important, shining from the top down or the service from the bottom up? The way of Yosef or the way of Yehuda? 

Each of these ideas have its pros. Yehuda's approach generates real and everlasting change, but since it comes from below, it is limited, there is only that high a person can reach on his own. Yosef's approach, on the other hand, coming from above, is unlimited, even though it doesn't effect everlasting change, it can take a person to unlimited heights. When both of these approaches work together, you get everlasting change and unlimited heights. The question is how can they work together? And ultimately, which approach is the main way, and which is there to help the main approach? 

Let's revisit the story of Yosef and his brothers and it will become clear. 

In Yosef's dream, the brothers are in the field, bundling sheaves, this is working in the world from the bottom up. Then they encircled Yosef's sheaf and bowed, this symbolizes that they have gone as far as they can on their own, now they need Yosef to take them to the next level. 

The Yosef approach helps those taking the Yehuda approach to the next level. At the same time, because the work below is very powerful, Yosef gains from it, and he is taken to higher spiritual realms. 

There is another way Yosef helps Yehuda. When the brothers brought Binyamin down to Egypt, Yosef had their bags filled with grain and he had his goblet hidden in Binyamin's bag. This is what brought them back in front of Yosef, for the confrontation between Yehuda and Yosef. Yosef hiding the goblet in Binyamin's bag, is what brought them before Yosef. In other words, Yosef's approach serves another purpose, to motivate from above, to move the person to take the Yehuda approach, so ultimately he can come before Yosef and reach unlimited heights. 

The key to this working, is that it has to be hidden, like Yosef's goblet. In other words, the person can't know that he is being motivated. He has to feel like it is his own effort. 

This is similar to a famous debate in the Talmud, whether Torah study is more important or is doing mitzvahs more important. The Talmud concludes, that "Study is greater, because it brings you to do (the mitzvah)." This is ironic, because it is ultimately saying, that the greatness of Torah study, is that it will cause you to do mitzvahs, that the Torah is there for the mitzvahs. On top of that, when you study Torah to understand how to perform an actual mitzvah, it enhances the Torah study. 

Yosef symbolizes Torah, which is a light shining from the top down. Yehuda symbolizes mitzvahs, raising the world from the bottom up. Ultimately, the Torah, Yosef, is there to cause you to do the mitzvahs, Yehuda. 

When Yehuda approached Yosef, he said, "please let your servant speak words in the ears of my master. . . Because you are like Pharaoh." Meaning, help me with my approach even though you will be lowering yourself to do so, because now you are viceroy, but you will become like Pharaoh, ultimately it will raise you up to a higher level. So by approaching Yosef, he wasn't saying that Yosef is greater, rather, that Yosef is better off helping him facilitate the Yehuda approach. In other words, redemption is there to take prayer to a higher level and Torah study is there to take mitzvahs to a higher level. 

When Moshiach comes we will see the value of mitzvahs over Torah, the value of the work down here over the top down approach, Yehuda over Yosef, as we will all be united under Yehuda, through the king from the House of David, King Moshiach. May he come soon. 

To Make The Darkness Itself Shine

ThisThis Dvar Torah Is Dedicated 
 By Chanala Rubenfeld
In honor of Avi Rubenfeld on the occasion of his anniversary
And in honor of Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz who is the model and the epitome of the Rebbe's shliach, in his selflessness and dedication to the cause that the Rebbe has charged us with. Turning one of the greatest challenges a human can face into a powerful tool to spread Hashem's wisdom.  

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The Talmud tells us about the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles, "The House of Shamai says, 'the first day you light 8, from here and on continue to subtract (1 light each day).' The House of Hillel says, ' the first day you light 1, from here and on continue to add (1 light each day).' The House of Shamai's reason, is that it is like the bulls of the holiday (of Sukkos, on the first day 13 bulls were offered, on the second 12, and so on). The House of Hillel's reason, is that you go up in holiness and not down."

What do the lights of Chanukah have to do with the bulls of Sukkos, that we should learn one from the other? The question becomes stronger, when you realize that if it were not for a secondary reason, that we go up in holiness and not down, the House of Hillel would agree to the House of Shamai, that it is because of the bulls of Sukkos. What does Sukkos have to do with Chanukah?

Some would like to answer, that it is because both Sukkos and Chanukah are 8 day holidays, so we learn one from the other. If this is the case, we have to understand, what is the significance of an 8 day holiday?

The holiday of Chanukah was established because of the miracle that happened with the menorah in the Temple, that had 7 lights. So why do we have 8 lights and 8 days?

It seems strange that they compare the lights of the menorah to offerings brought on the altar. For starters they were two different vessels, and while the altar was out in the courtyard, the menorah was in a holier place, the Heichal (AKA the Holies), this tells us that the menorah was in a way holier. Even more, when Aaron was commanded to light the menorah, Hashem told him, "your's (the kindling of the menorah) is greater than their's (the offerings that the Nessiim brought for the altar). In other words, the kindling of the menorah was greater than offerings brought on the altar. What is the meaning of comparing the lights of Chanukah to the bulls of Sukkos?

And finally, the Talmud tells us that the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles begins at sunset. However, the menorah in the Temple was lit an hour and a quarter before sunset (at plag hamincha). If the Chanukah menorah is lit to commemorate the lighting of the menorah in the Temple, why don't we light it an hour and a quarter before sunset? Why do we specifically light it at sunset?

The main point of Chanukah candles is to light up the darkness. Because the miracle of Chanukah came after the darkness of the Greeks, who defiled the Temple, and when they did so, they specifically made a point to defile every bottle of oil that was there, by breaking the seal of the Kohen Gadol that ensured its purity. They didn't break the bottles or pour out the oil, they merely broke the seals. Because they did this, we realize that it was more important to the Greeks to defile the oil than to defile the Temple. What was their intention?

The Greeks didn't want to destroy us physically, they wanted to sever our connection to Hashem. They had no problem with us keeping Judaism, but do it because you want to, not because Hashem wants you to. the oil was symbolic of all that. The whole idea of purity and impurity, is something that doesn't make sense, there is no logic behind it, other than that Hashem said so. And that is what the Greeks couldn't deal with, and sought to destroy. Of course once they started to make decrees, it snowballed into a outright war on Judaism.

This is why the miracle of finding the jug of oil still sealed with the Kohen Gadol's seal was so significant, because it meant that there is a part of us that is always connected to Hashem, and that connection can never be severed.

Each of us has a neshama, a G-dly soul, it is an actual piece of G-d inside of us. This neshama has 5 parts, the highest part is called yechida, this part of the neshama is one with Hashem. Not the way Hashem relates to the world, but much higher, the essence of Hashem, beyond existence. This part of the neshama, can not be touched by negative influences, just the opposite, when we tap into that part of the neshama, we effect the world around us in the most amazing way, lighting the darkness of the world, not that our light dispels the darkness, but that the darkness itself begins to shine.

And this is symbolized by the number 8. As it is known in the teachings of Kabballa and Chassidus, that 7 is the number that represents existence, while the number 8 is beyond existence.

Now we can understand why Chanukah is 8 days, and the Chanukah menorah has 8 lights. Because Chanukah is about our connection to Hashem beyond existence, making the darkness itself shine.

Sukkos is also 8 days, because it also connects to Hashem beyond existence, and this is specifically seen in the bulls of Sukkos. On the first 7 days of Sukkos, we brought 70 bulls representing the 70 nations of the world. This is effecting the world naturally, by shining our light upon them, we dispel the darkness. This means that they don't bother us, and they allow us to do what Hashem wants us to do. On the eighth day we brought 1 bull, representing our singular essential bond with Hashem, beyond existence, the yechida. By revealing our essence, we effect the world by making the darkness itself into light, meaning, that the nations of the world become a help to us.

It is 7 and 1, 7in the world and 1 more going beyond existence.

This is why on Sukkos we spend 7 days in the Sukka and on the 8th day, there is no mitzvah to be in the Sukka. Because for 7 days, surrounded by the Sukka, we are surrounded by a great G-dly energy, but we can't internalize it. On the eighth day is when we connect to our yechida, above existence, and therefore we are able to internalize this great G-dly energy, so we don't need to be surrounded by the Sukka anymore.

And this is why we light the Chanukah menorah at sunset. Because its purpose is to light up the darkness. Until what extent? The Talmud tells us that the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles is until people finish coming from the market place, until the Tarmudai finish coming from the market place. The Tarmudai were the lowest of people, they went against the kingdom of heaven, (as their name suggests, tarmud in Hebrew has the same letters as the word moredes, treason). Even the lowest people are effected by the lights of the menorah, to the extent that they become entirely good and with Hashem.

May the light of our Chanukah menorah turn the darkness of the exile to light in a way that the darkness itself begins to shine, and usher in the coming of Moshiach. The time has come.

Yosef's Dreams

This Dvar Torah Is Dedicated 

By Mendy and Ita Klein
In honor of Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz, for the continued inspiration you provide for us all 

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In this week's parsha, Vayeshev, Yosef has two dreams, and he shares them with his brothers. In the first dream, "We were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, when my sheaf stood up and remained upright, then your sheaves formed a circle around my sheaf and prostrated themselves before it." In the second dream, "The sun, the moon, and eleven stars were prostrating themselves before me."

The dreams seem to be conveying the same message. Why does the Torah tell us both dreams if they are the same? The major difference between them, is that the second dream has the addition of the sun and the moon, representing Yaakov and Bilha. Meaning, not only would the 11 brothers bow to Yosef, but Yaakov and Bilha as well. This point didn't need a second dream, it could have been all included in one dream.

In parshas Mikeitz, Pharoah has two dreams, in the first cows came out of the river, and in the second, there were ears of grain growing from a stalk. They seem the same as well. However, when Yosef interprets the dreams, he explains why the dream is repeated, because "G-d is hurrying to carry it out." But by Yosef's dreams there is no such explanation.

We must conclude that there is something new in the second dream. What are the lessons found in these dreams?

Yosef's dreams are a lesson to us, on how to serve Hashem.

The first lessons are found in the differences between Yosef's and Pharaoh's dreams.

Pharoah first dreams about cows and then about grain. In Torah all physical existence is divided into 4 categories. The lowest is domem, inanimate objects, like rocks and sand. Above that is tzomeach, the vegetative domain, things that grow, like trees, grass, vegetables and grain. Above that is chai, living things, like animals. And the highest of the four is medaber, those who have conversation, people.

Both of Pharaoh's dreams happen on earth. The first was about cows, animals, and second went down a notch, about grain, vegetation. It is the way of the impure to go down to lower and lower levels.

Yosef's first dream was on earth, his second was up in the celestial sphere. Reminiscent of Yaakov's dream, where "the ladder was on the ground and its top reached the heavens." Because a Jew must always seek to go higher and beyond the level that he was on.

The two dreams convey the same idea, but one is on earth symbolizing the physical, and the other in the celestial sphere symbolizing the spiritual. Meaning, that we should make the physical and spiritual the same. How do we do this? By filling our physical lives with so much spiritual, that our physical becomes like spiritual.

In Pharaoh's dreams, he is not doing anything. In Yosef's first dream, he and his brothers were working in the field. Because holiness can only be attained through work and effort. There is no free lunch, no bread of shame. Only after the work, do they reach the higher levels in his second dream.

Now that we understand the general aspects of the dreams, let's take a look at some of the details.

In Yosef's first dream the are on earth, in the field, symbolizing chaos and fragmentation, as it says, "Eisav was a man of the field," Eisav was the epitome of chaos and this world is a place of chaos and fragmentation. Every stalk in the field is separate, coming out of its own personal spot of earth.

Our job is to make bundles out of the separate stalks, to make unity of the fragmentation. Meaning, the G-dly soul comes down into the body and animal soul. The nature of the body and the animal soul is to go their own way, following any base pleasure that suits them at the moment, in other words, chaos and fragmentation. Our job is to unite them to follow Hashem's will.

The next thing that happens, is that they bow to Yosef. Yosef is the Tzadik of the generation, like the head that controls the entire body. Our obligation is to bow to the Tzadik, meaning, to take direction from him and to follow his lead.

The problem is that after all this work. We still find ourselves in the field, in the physical. We need to attain a spiritual state. Not to go out of the physical, but to make our physical spiritual. That is the meaning of the second dream. The second dream is up in the celestial sphere, when we reach a high spiritual state.

One might think, "I have reached such a high spiritual state, do I still need to follow the Tzadik?" The answer is that "The sun, the moon, and eleven stars were prostrating themselves before me," before Yosef the Tzadik. Even the person who has attained the highest levels of spirituality, has to follow the direction of the Tzadik.

This work of uniting the fragments and a making our physical into spiritual is not as difficult as you might think. For starters, each of us are called "children of kings," and sometimes we are called "kings," meaning that just like a king and a prince are not required to do work, even the smallest amount of effort they do is considered tremendous. Even more, the Talmud tells us "if you will toil you will find." it doesn't say that "you will succeed," rather, that "you will find." When you say "you will find," it means that you get something unexpected, because when we put in the effort, Hashem gives us much more than the effort we put in. So our little effort goes a long way.

We can all do this with a little bit of effort, and if we do, we will be well along the way to bringing Moshiach. May he come soon.

Yaakov's Staff Of Selflessness

Dear Friends,

This is in honor of Yud Tes Kislev. With Hashem's help, I hope to have another one for Shabbos.

Yitzi 

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In parshas Vayishlach, Yaakov heard that Eisav was coming towards him with 400 armed men, intending to destroy him. Yaakov was afraid of what Eisav might do, so he divided everything he had into two camps, thinking that if Eisav attacks one, the other will be able to be saved. He then turn to Hashem in prayer, asking Hashem to save him from Eisav.

In parshas Vayeitzei, Yaakov had a dream, in which Hashem told him that He would be with him and protect him. Why did he feel that Hashem wouldn't protect him now? Yaakov answers the question in his prayer, he says, "(Katonti) I (my merits) have become diminished, because of all of the acts of kindness and trustworthiness you have done for your servant, (ki b'makli) for with my staff I have crossed this Jordan and now I have become two camps." Yaakov was afraid that with all Hashem has already done for him, he used up his merit, and therefore, perhaps he lost his protection.

Yaakov mentions two events in this verse, as reasons that he felt, used up his merit. First, "(ki b'makli) for with my staff I have crossed this Jordan," and second, "now I have become two camps." The second one, "now I have become two camps," is clearly understood to mean, that he attained great wealth. But our sages give two explanations as to what, "for with my staff I have crossed this Jordan," means.

The first explanation, cited by Rashi, is that Yaakov was saying how poor he was when he first crossed the Jordan 20 years earlier, on his way down to Charan. This explanation brings out the meaning of the second half of the verse, because in contrast to his poverty the last time he crossed the Jordan, you can understand the tremendous kindness Hashem showed him by giving him this great wealth.

The Midrash gives a second explanation. That, "for with my staff I have crossed this Jordan," means that on his way down to Charan, he stuck his staff into the Jordan and it split for him to cross on dry land. According to this explanation, the verse is mentioning two unrelated kindnesses that happened to Yaakov, the splitting of the Jordan and his great wealth.

Whenever there are different explanations on a word, verse or concept in the Torah, there has to be a common thread that they share. The problem here is that they are opposites, the first is a negative, that he was poor, and the second is positive, that Hashem split the Jordan for him. What could possibly be the common link between the two?

The 19th of Kislev always falls in the week before or after Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach, and is celebrated around the world as the Rosh Hashanah of chassidus. One of the reasons for this holiday, is that on this day, the Alter Rebbe, the first Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch Harav), was released from prison. He was incarcerated on false charges regarding his book, the Tanya, which is known as the written Torah of chassidic thought. His imprisonment was seen as a referendum on the teachings of chassidus, and especially the book of Tanya. It was understood, that a battle was taking place above, over whether or not these teachings should be allowed to be spread and taught openly. When the Rebbe was freed, it was an indication that the war above was over and the side for allowing them to be taught was victorious.

After he was freed, he penned a letter to the community, starting with the word katonti. In it he writes, "Yaakov felt very very small in his own eyes, because of the many kindnesses, '(ki b'makli) for with my Staff . . .'" He ends with "ki b'makli" and he doesn't continue with the rest of the verse.

This is difficult to understand, because "ki b'makli, for with my staff," doesn't point to any kindness that Hashem did for Yaakov. If he wanted to cite the kindnesses he was referring to, it would make sense to write the latter part of the verse, "I have crossed this Jordan and now I have become two camps." Or at the very least, add one more word, "avarti, I have crossed," then it would of at least hinted to Hashem splitting the Jordan for him.

We have to conclude, within the words, "ki b'makli," is found Hashem's kindness to Yaakov, and explaining this, will also help us understand the connection between the two explanations of, "for with my staff I have crossed this Jordan."

The Tzemach Tzedek (the third Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch), brings the words of the Shaloh Hakadosh, who says that the letters of the words, "ki b'makli," make up the first letters of the words, "Baruch kvod Hashem mimkomo," "Lishuascha kivisi Hashem." ("Blessed is Hashem's honor from His place," "For Your salvation I hope Hashem.") The Tzemach Tzedek continues to explain, that this is similar to what is found in Torah Ohr (also by the Alter Rebbe) on the verse, "You do justice and tzedakah in Yaakov," that there has to be both justice and tzedakah, and these are the same as, "Blessed is Hashem's honor from His place," and " For Your salvation I hope Hashem."

To explain. There are two ways our relationship with Hashem could manifest itself. For someone who is righteous, he could ask Hashem for his needs out of justice, meaning, he has rightfully earned it, and because of that, he can outright ask for it. These people connect to Hashem at the highest levels, symbolized by the verse, "Blessed is Hashem's honor from His place." Then there are those of us that are not at that level, when we ask of Hashem, we are like asking for tzedakah, because perhaps we don't exactly deserve it. This is symbolized by the verse, "For Your salvation I hope Hashem." Because we don't think we deserve it, we ask for it as a salvation.

Seemingly, justice and tzedakah are opposites, either you are asking for tzedakah or demanding justice. How can you have both together?

The answer is that there is a third level, the level of Yaakov, where both justice and tzedakah are employed simultaneously. He certainly deserves it, but because of his great humility, he sees himself as undeserving, and asks for his needs as a tzedakah. This is the greatest and truest nullification of one's ego, and draws Hashem's kindness from the highest place, "from His place."

Now we can understand how the two seemingly opposite explanations on the words, "for with my staff I have crossed this Jordan," connect. Because Yaakov embodied both of these ideas simultaneously. He deserved great miracles, such as the splitting of the Jordan, and at the same time he was humble as a poor person having only a staff would be. And specifically because his ego was so nullified, that he merited such a great kindness from Hashem.

Being that each and every one of us are the children of Yaakov, we inherited from him these virtues, to have justice and tzedakah simultaneously. And because we are considered "children of Kings," even the lightest work is considered hard labor, and because we have all put in at least that much effort, we are all deserving, and we are all able to ask for our needs out right, out of justice. This means that we have a tremendous opportunity, if we can nullify our egos before Hashem, we will draw down the greatest blessings of nachas, good health and abundance, and especially the blessing of all blessings, the coming of Moshiach. May he come soon.