This text-based class is the fourth class in a series on the Chassidic discourse (Maamar) "Vayehu Chayei Sarah," said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sarah, 25 Cheshvan, 5712, November 24, 1951, and was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Thursday, 29 Cheshvan, 5786, November 20, 2025, Parshas Toldos, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class sums up the structure of the Maamar and continues to explore the deeper meaning behind Chava eating from the Tree of Knowledge and the snake having "intimacy" with Chava. We explore the meaning of true Bitul, in which surrender is not hijacked by the ego, and how wanting to be remembered is a subtle form of idolotry, created by the trauma of separateness.    

This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 27 Cheshvan, 5786, November 18, 2025, Parshas Toldos, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Monday, 26 Cheshvan, 5786, November 17, 2025, Parshas Toldos, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Thursday, 22 Cheshvan, 5786, November 13, 2025, Parshas Chayei Sarah, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Monday, 19 Cheshvan, 5786, November 10, 2025, Parshas Chayei Sarah, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 13 Cheshvan, 5786, November 4, 2025, Parshas Vayera, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

Why would Sarah deny the truth that she laughed? The Torah says, “because she was afraid.” Afraid of whom? Why was she afraid to tell Abraham that she laughed? After all, she was 89 years old, and Sarah stood her own in the presence of Abraham. 

Maybe the Torah means she was scared of G-d. But that is senseless. Did she believe that you can hide from G-d? 

Even more strange is the response to her denial. “But He said, ‘No, you laughed indeed.’” What was this all about? A he said/she said game in the therapist’s office? She said I never laughed; he says: No you did laugh! Okay great. Now what? 

The biggest question is this: When this miracle child is actually born, the name he receives is Yitzchak, which means LAUGHTER! Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter; everyone who hears will laugh with me!”

Strange. When Sarah hears she will have a child, she laughs. G-d gets upset over the fact that she is laughing. He confronts Abraham about her laughter. She denies it. Then Abraham, or G-d, says: No, you did laugh, Sarah! And then when the baby was born, they gave him that very name—laughter!

There seems to be some strange theme unfolding here.

One of the Chassidic masters, the Sefas Emes, provides a marvelous commentary. It was the moment that created the eternal and legendary Yiddishe Mamme, who will stop for nothing to protect and to believe in her children, and offer them the maternal holding, the fit of inner regulation, peace, and self-love.

Cynicism undermines our feminine energy in very profound ways. It buries our trust. Our mother Sarah needed not only to avoid it, but to transform it. 

This text-based class is part 2 of a two-part series on the Maamar of the Alter Rebbe V'lo Yikare Od Simcha Avram, published in Torah OR Lech Lecha, which he said at the bris of his great-grandson, Reb Boruch Sholom, the oldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek, on Thursday, 29 Cheshvan, 5566, November 1805.

This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Friday, 9 Cheshvan, 5786, October 31, 2025, Parshas Lech Lecha, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This text-based class is part 1 of a two-part series on the Maamar of the Alter Rebbe V'lo Yikare Od Simcha Avram, published in Torah OR Lech Lecha, which he said at the bris of his great-grandson, Reb Boruch Sholom, the oldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek, on Thursday, 29 Cheshvan, 5566, November 1805.

The class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Thursday, 8 Cheshvan, 5786, October 30, 2025, Parshas Lech Lecha, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class was presented on Tuesday, 6 Cheshvan, 5786, October 28, 2025, Parshas Lech Lecha, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

This class was presented on Tuesday, 29 Tishrei, 5786, October 21, 2025, Parshas Noach, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.