The Torah says the king of Mitzrayim died and then they cried out in pain. Why did that cause them to cry out, according to those who learn that he actually died? Was the crying in prayer to Hashem, or were the cries of suffering themselves a source of merit for us?

The Sefarim tell us that the Asara Harugei Malchus were a punishment for the sale of Yosef. But Yosef's brothers asked him for forgiveness? Was he mochel them, and if not why not? And why were there ten martyrs if only nine of the brothers were involved in the sale?

Have a good Shabbos.

Yosef calls his brothers close and reveals himself to them. Why did he choose the Bris Milah as his proof, when he had proof that he spoke Lashon Hakodesh and knew the true story of the sale? How was it a good proof, didn't he force all the Egyptians to circumcise themselves?

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After all these years, Yosef was able to rise to power, marry, and have two sons. He named them with names that symbolize this ability to forget his troubles and be happy with what he had built. Was that all positive, or were there negative components? 

Have a good Shabbos and a lichtege Chanukah

Chazal say that Yaakov wanted to sit in tranquility at this point, after dealing with Eisav, Lavan, Shechem. Hashem said Tzadikim have tranquility in the next world, they should ask for it in this world? Is there something wrong with having a tranquil life? Wouldn't Yaakov only want this for Torah and Ruchniyus, what would be wrong with this desire? Some approaches to understanding a difficult Chazal

.Have a good Shabbos

We find Yaakov humbling himself before Eisav, and bowing seven times. Yet we also know that one is forbidden to flatter a wicked person. Exploring the balance Yaakov strikes in his appeasement of Eisav.

Have a good Shabbos

When Yaakov met Rochel, he assured her Lavan wouldn't outsmart him. He said he could be his brother in trickery. How could Yaakov the Ish Emes expect to match the one Chazal call the father of trickery? If he said he could match, how come in the end he wasn't successful and Lavan beat him?

Some ideas from Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky and Rav Shalom Schwadron on the middos of Emes and Ramaos.

Have a wonderful Shabbos

Why did Yaakov make Eisav swear on the sale of the Bechoros? Would Eisav honor an oath more than he worried about other Aveiros? How could Eisav sell his Bechoros, can one sell something intangible, does it work halachically?  Why did Yaakov give Eisav bread when he only asked for lentils?

Trying a type of Yeshivisha style this week that I haven't done before.

Hope you enjoy.

Have a Good Shabbos

My own idea this week, dating back to my years in Yeshiva. How could it be a zechus for Avraham to lose five years of life to avoid seeing Eisav go LTarbus Raah? Especially in light of Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz's chiddushim in the preciousness of life?

While praying on behalf of Sedom, Avraham compares himself to dust and ashes in his humility before Hashem. The Gemara says some amazing ideas about the long term significance of this statement, and how it compares to other statements of humility in Tanach. Also discuss the classic Rav Yaakov Emden story about humility before Hashem and humility before people.

Have a great Shabbos