Parsha in 2

The Jewish people are on a high after so many miracles. Amalak then comes to wage war with them. Moshe Rabaynu sends his student Yehoshua to fight the war while he ascends the mountain to Daven and fast. The Torah tells us that Moshe’s hands became weak, because he wasn’t sufficiently diligent in the mitzvah-since he sent somebody else to fight the war. The lesson learned is that if another Jew is being attacked, whether physically or spiritually, we must help them- not just by learning and davining in their merit, but by actually going out to help them.

לקו״ש כ״א -ג

The objective of Galus is to reveal the concealment of our Neshama. In Galus most of our mental and emotional capacities aren’t necessarily in sync with Hashem, yet It reveals the core of our Nashama, prompting us even to the point of Mesiras Nefesh, self sacrifice. Similarly with Shemos, a name doesn’t really represent who you are, yet one can even awaken an unconscious, person by calling his name, essentially awakening his core. In addition, the 24th of Teves is also the Alter Rebbe’s Yartzeit. He revealed the essence of Torah - which is Chasidus. The ultimate goal is that the core that is revealed shouldn’t just be revealed at difficult times, but should actually affect the reality in our consciousness day-to-day lives.

לקו״ש טז

The importance of self motivation: Yakov Avinu gathers together his sons to bless them, and then wants to reveal to them when Moshiach is coming. However, Hashem prevents him from doing so because revealing when moshiach is coming is what urges and motivates us to fulfill mitzvahs and to serve Hashem. Ideally the Geulah must be completely self-motivated, without any outside forces propelling us to do so. It is only that type of service which will bring a complete and eternal Geulah that will never change. Our service of Hashem has to be the same - a service that will never change ie. even when we’re not being motivated, our service to Hashem should never change.

לקו״ש כ-א

The Jews settle in Goshen, which is in the land of Mitzraim and take ownership over it. This seems conflicting since earlier Hashem had told Avraham that his children would be foreigners in a ‘strange land’ .Therefore, the Torah relates that Goshen is in the land of Mitzraim even though we know that already. This is to teach us that although we are living in Goshen, which is the nicest part of town and living a good life, one should always remember that this is not where we belong. We are still in Mitzraim- which represents Golus. In a deeper sense, the purpose of being foreigners is to elevate the ( hidden and holy) sparks and make the world a better place. We must always remember that this is not where we truly belong; but rather are here only to improve and elevate this world. Only then will we have accomplished the purpose of Golus.

לקו״ש טו-ד

The miracle of Chanuka is so powerful that not only were the Jews victorious over the many and mighty Greeks, but there is more to that victory than meets the eye. Many Jews had assimilated with the Greeks and although many had been forced to assimilate, yet they were still victorious. Seemingly, Hashem made the miracle even for those very few Jews that were openly proud to be Jewish. This powerful lesson teaches us that although observant Jews are the minority of the world and even a minority amongst Jews, many who are not even aware of the basics of Judaism, we should not despair. We too will experience victory - just as in the original Chanuka story.

לקו״ש ל-ב

The 19th of Kislev marks the day of liberation for the Alter Rebbe whose life’s mission was to spread the wellsprings of Torah to the outside world. Moreover, the goal was to not only expose the world to the inspiration of the wellsprings, but to actually infuse the world with the wellsprings themselves, thereby breaking all boundaries that exist in Torah, in the Nashama of the Jew, and the world. Each of these three have two parts to them - the external or the more conscious part and the internal part-each being separate and different realities. Chasidus reveals the core and the essence of everything, merging them together, where they both become one reality , revealing G-dliness in the external consciousness of everything we see.

לקו״ש טו