Parsha in 2

How is it possible that Moshe Rabenu the greatest of people should question Hashem?Hashem , why did it get worse for the Jewish people? The answer is that the Jews left Mitzraim in the merit of their belief in Hashem and that needed to be cultivated and brought out especially those who were struggling with their Emunah , and had questions. So , it is Moshe Rabeinu, the leader of the generation, the faithful shepherd that helps him cultivate and bring out Emunah by questioning and asking Hashem, although on his level, he was questioning it in a much deeper way to understand Hashem and get closer to him, but he framed it this way so even the person who is actually questioning and struggling, should be included and helped, to bring out and cultivate his belief in Hashem

לקו״ש טז-א

Yosef expresses his feelings about going down to Mitzrayim in two ways and by naming his two sons, Menashe, and Ephraim . The oldest son, represents his feeling of not wanting ever to forget his father’s home where he comes from, and not to get affected by the society around him. Ephraim represents a gratitude and thankfulness of his multiplying and growing, despite his difficulties, therefore, Menasha was the oldest, because that is the first feeling you have to have however, Yakov mainly blesses Ephraim, because that is the ultimate purpose in this world is to grow despite the difficulties.

לקו״ש טו-ב

Usually when you want to influence somebody you first strategize with people, you analyze how to deal with the situation and the person and then you try to influence them in a very quiet, smooth way. However, when it’s painful and it hurts, you scream out, usually affecting the other person in a positive way who will help you, realizing that you’re talking from the heart and it’s not about money or fame, that is why Yehuda when he approached Yosef, he spoke very strong words because he was talking out of pain and therefore influenced the outcome to be positive.

לקו״ש כ-א

Lights can be used for multiple reasons. For honor, like in a Shul, for Shabbos candles, candles of the Bais Hamikdash and the candles of the Chanukah Menorah. However, there is a difference, the Shabbos, candles and candles of the Bais Hamikdush are there for a reason to bring peace in the home, and to show that Hashem rests there. However , the candles of the Chanukah Menorah is the light for itself, representing the essential bonds of a Jew and Hashem that’s beyond logic, and that the Greeks could not handle fighting against it, triggering a response from the Jews, in the same way beyond logic, the few against the many the weak against the strong.

לקו״ש ג

Success is not necessarily hard work. It’s a gift from Hashem called Mazal. It can express itself in two ways. One where everything you do your successful, and therefore people attribute the success to you. Another way, is where you’re so wildly successful the people realize it’s only from Hashem. The reason for this success is because you make a Kali , vessel to receive these blessings. The less your ego is involved the more the blessing. Joseph, first working as a servant by Potiphar accomplished a lot, and was very successful and therefore people attributed his success to him , however, later, when he was put in prison where they crush your individuality, his success then was only attributed to Hashem.

לקו״ש כה

Are our challenges real? Yakov tells the people of Shchem if you want to marry Dina, you must remove idols from within you,which means mentally removing the idea of a foreign God from your head, because it’s all just in the head it’s not real that a piece of wood could be a God. So too, all obstacles toward the mitzvahs are not real because the only true reality is really Hashem, so why does He make it seem like there are obstacles it’s whole purpose is only to be like a steppingstone to uplift you to be much better.

לקו״ש ל -ב

Yakov’s possessions were mainly sheep. He traded in some for bulls and donkeys, because at his core he was submissive as a sheep. His ego was completely submitted to the ultimate truth and power, Hashem, and therefore if he had an adversary and needed to fight them, he would stand up forcefully and strongly like a bull and a donkey to fight his enemy however he knew he wasn’t fighting from his ego, but from his complete submissiveness to the ultimate power, Hashem.

לקו״ש טו- ג

Just like Hashem told Yitzchok his true place is Eretz Israel, so too, must we all know that are true place is Eretz Israel. In addition we learn from the Avos how to live our lives from Avrohom Avinu we learn that even those that sit and learn, should also go out into the world, reach out and inspire others, and from Yitzchok we learn that even if you one that spends your time going out reaching out and inspiring others you must set aside, time to sit and study Torah.

לקו”ש כה-ב

Although Rivkah was very kind,Yitzchok still wasn’t sure that she should be his wife, he wanted to make sure that she would be as righteous as his mother Sarah,when he brought her into his tent and she lit Shabbos candles like his mother that miraculously lasted for the full week, and had a blessing in her dough like his mother, and a cloud descended on the tent like his mother he knew she was the right one.We learn from here and even young girls should light Shabbos candles and that they have the power to bring light and warmth into the Jewish home throughout the week.

לקו״ש טו-ג