If you haven't listened to part 1 check that out first.

Part 2: Maimonides offers a radically different way to understand what Jacob was attempting and why it failed. The answer challenges common assumptions about prophecy, the "end of days," and what Jacob thought his sons needed to know. It turns out the failed revelation might teach us more than the revelation itself ever could have.

I know, I know, it's Parshat Vayigash this week but because our in person class in on break I'm sharing a 2 part on Parshat Vayechi - The End of Days - Part 1: Jacob calls his sons to his bedside with a stunning promise: "Come together and I will tell you what will happen at the end of days." 

And then, nothing. The revelation never comes.

The Talmud explains that the Divine Presence departed from him, and the secret slipped away. But this raises more questions than it answers. Why would God prevent Jacob from sharing this? What was he actually trying to reveal? And why gather his sons for a prophecy he was never meant to deliver? We unpack the textual tensions and sit with the mystery. Then next week in Part 2 we'll unpack it all.

In Part 1, we laid out questions: Why does the Midrash connect Greece to the "horn of an ox"? Why is Yosef described by Moshe using that imagery? Why does Yosef's rise to power in Egypt matter for understanding Chanukah?

Now we return to put the pieces together.Chanukah always falls during the Torah portions that tell the story of Yosef, and that timing isn't coincidental. In this episode, we explore what Yosef's journey—his success in a foreign empire, his beauty, his ability to navigate power—teaches us about the Chanukah struggle with Greece. What does it mean to shine in a world that celebrates external achievement?
And where does true power come from?

This is where the questions from Part 1 find their answers.

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Chanukah always falls during the Torah portions that tell the story of Yosef, but the connection is rarely explored directly. In this episode, I do something simple: I ask questions.Why does the Midrash connect Greece to the “horn of an ox”? Why is Yosef described by Moshe using that imagery? Why does Yosef’s rise to power in Egypt matter for understanding Chanukah? And what is Chanukah really teaching about success, leadership, and where power comes from?This episode is intentionally open-ended. It lays out the questions and the sources without rushing to conclusions. In Part 2, we’ll return to these questions and put the ideas together, offering a clearer picture of how Yosef’s story shapes the deeper meaning of Chanukah.

📖 Parshat Vayeishev This Week: Yosef's life is a rollercoaster, sold into slavery, rises in Potiphar's house, wrongly imprisoned, and becomes Egypt's viceroy. Through every high and low, one thing remains constant: success. What's his secret? The Torah repeatedly states, 'God was with Yosef,' but more importantly, Potiphar saw that God was with him. Yosef's success wasn't hidden faith; it was visible godliness. People encountered God through encountering Yosef. This is Kiddush Hashem, living so that others see the Divine radiating through you. It's not just what you believe privately; it's how your actions, integrity, and character reveal God's presence publicly. When people meet you, what do they see? That's the measure of true success. Shabbat Shalom. ✨

An engaging Torah study session exploring Parshat Vayishlach, where Jacob prepares to reunite with his brother Esau after years of separation. The discussion covers the concept of angels (malakhim) in Jewish tradition, Jacob's wrestling match with the angel and his resulting limp, the significance of name changes (Jacob to Israel), and the tragic story of Dinah. The session concludes with powerful lessons about Leah's selflessness and the principle that doing the right thing ultimately brings divine reward, even if not immediately. This interactive study combines textual analysis with practical life lessons, emphasizing themes of wholeness, identity, and moral courage. Perfect for anyone interested in Jewish learning, biblical interpretation, or exploring the deeper meanings within Torah narratives.