The story of Avraham's travels in the Torah reading of Lech Lecha leads to a discussion about whether doing G-d's will is supposed to actually make our lives better.

The Jewish people have always turned to the words of Torah for comfort and strength. What important lesson does the story of Noah's Ark teaching us about the need to immerse ourselves in the holy words of Torah?

The Bais Yaakov (son of the Izhbitzer) explains a deeper truth about sins against G-d and how they reconcile with a divine plan that can never be abrogated. In the parsha, Yosef explains to his brothers that they did not send him to Egypt but rather G-d sent him. What Yosef was trying to communicate to them was that even if they were sinning, their actions still aligned on a deeper level with a G-dly intent.

The Alter Rebbe writes a letter to his chasidim after his release from prison warning them not to gloat over their adversaries. Rather, he explains, they should conduct themselves like Yaakov our father who responded to G-d's kindnesses toward him by feeling exceedingly humble.

The Shelah explains the deeper reason why Yaakov Avinu spoke about marital intimacy in ways that may seem inappropriate to us.

The unique praise of Yaakov Avinu is that all of his offspring followed in his path. What was Yaakov Avinu's secret to success in marriage and raising children?

In an edited farbrengen from 5725, the Rebbe explains how success at home has to do with knowing when to not really be present and when to be completely focused.

Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 5, pp. 376-378.

The Sfas Emes explains that the greatness of Sarah our Matriarch is that no matter what was going on in her life, she retained her connection to G-d so that, from her perspective, it could truly be said that every day of her life was "a good day."

The Shem MiShmuel asks how Avraham could plead for mercy on behalf of the people of Sodom when they were so cruel to others. Isn't kindness to the Sodomites actually cruelty to their victims?

The Ben Ish Chai explains how Avraham Avinu was able to exhibit astounding alacrity when it came to doing mitzvos yet when he needed to deal with mundane matters he remained emotionally detached.

How Noach fell short as the spiritual leader of his generation. A textual study of the Kedushas Levi (R' Levi Yitzchak Berditcherver) on the Torah portion of Noach.

At the Thursday Night Men's Cholent class.