Chelek Chof Hey pg 270. Hashem, lift me out of here!

This week’s Sicha learning is honor of:

*Esty Tsap, in honor of her birthday today, Yud Beis Teves!

*Brochie Altabe, in honor of her birthday, Vav Teves, and wishing arichus yamim and good health to her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Hecht. With gratitude to Etty & Mrs. Shapiro for making Chassidus so accessible to women, bringing Moshiach now!

*A quick and smooth Refuah sheleima for Yehuda Leib ben Manya, we are all davening for you!

Yaakov asked Yosef not to leave him in Mitzrayim, and Yosef promised he wouldn’t. Then Yaakov said, “Swear to me,” and Yosef made a shvua. Why both a promise and a shvua? A promise means “I’ll do it when I can,” but a shvua makes it front and center - something you live with constantly. On a deeper level, a shvua means commitment beyond logic: even if it doesn’t make sense, I’ll still do it. Yosef’s mission was to bring Hashem into the golus and uplift it. He could have reasoned that Yaakov - with all his holiness - should stay in Mitzrayim to help elevate it. But Yaakov said no - “Swear to me you’ll take me out.” Yaakov’s role was to remain above the golus, like the person standing outside a cave holding the rope to lift the one inside. Yosef and Yaakov represent two roles: Yosef transforms the darkness from within; Yaakov stays above and pulls us toward Geulah.

Our takeaway: In our own “golus moments,” be a Yosef - bring Hashem into whatever you’re facing and ask, “What does Hashem want from me here?” But also be a Yaakov - never get comfortable in the darkness. Stay mindful, keep striving, and cry out, “Hashem, lift me up out of this golus!”