Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Vayechi.In this Parsha,Yaakov calls his sons in order to Bless them before he passes on .
It is interesting that this Sedra is called 'Vayechi,' which means 'Lived,' when this Sedra ends with Yaakov Yisrael dying as well as Yoseif dying .Why would a Parsha that has to do with the passing of such great Tzaddikim, be called 'Vayechi,'-''Living?'
The answer to this is what is true reality.In true reality, G-D's Reality ,for this physical World is not true reality, even though it appears that a person dies,that is not how it really is. Dying is actually a part of 'Living,' for true living is the continuation of the soul from the beginning of things, as it continues on its journey,toward HaShem .Each lifetime,each day, each moment is a continuing pathway travelling up toward HaShem . What we physically see as dying,is in reality ,quite the opposite , for it is just simply a continuing form of the soul's life as it becomes more Holy .The body we use in this physical realm is our clothing that we are to use to make our souls more holy .So being born , living and dying are all part of a continuing journey the soul takes as it works on itself to raise its level of holiness so it can meet with HaShem again in the end . All things are actually one , even though it doesn't physically appear that way . Our task in Creation is to bring all things back to HaShem and make all around us 'One' by bringing the light of HaShem into all things and all people .The fact that we live in a physical World,is just a form that is necessary for us to spiritually grow. All things around us are actually to become one with us as we raise the level of things around us as we grow ourselves every moment we breathe .
So whether one is born , lives , or passes on , it is all part of 'Vayechi ,' Living,' as the soul continues upwards on its journey towards The Creator .
We all await the coming of Mashiach . What we don't realize is that Heaven is just in front of us . We don't see it as our spirituality is not ready for it yet , but it is closer than we can imagine . HaShem is around us all the time . We can't see any part of the Essence of HaShem , as we are not Holy enough but we are already in the midst of the Messianic era . This Messianic era is 'True Living,' and we see this within the first word of our Sedra ,in the word 'Vayechi,' which means 'Living,' - 'True Living ,' spiritually in a heightened physicality that we are to aim for , as well as seeing it within the word 'Vayechi,' where we can note that this word ,'Vayechi,' has the Gematrical value of 6+10+8+10=34 and 3+4=7 and as we know, this number 7 is the Gematrical value of the word 'Mashiach,' so this true 'Vayechi,' is 'True Living in the Messianic times , a time that we are already in .We just have to bring ourselves back to The Torah Way of Life and this Messianic Era that has already started , will show itself .It all rests with is and the choices we make . Choose G-D above all else . HaShem in His Torah told us to choose 'Chai,' - 'Life,' and this 'Life,' is Torah Light which is HaShem . HaShem asks us to choose Him faithfully , 'Vayechi,' and we will live eternally in His Light .
Yaakov Yisrael , like all Tzaddikim continue to 'Vayechi,' - 'Live' within each and every Jew and we help keep their memories alive as well as the parts of their holiness that come down in us ,their children , by following their words in staying close to HaShem's Torah .
Our Tzaddikim , reached such sublime levels of holiness , that 'passing on,' to them is simply continuing on their journey to the light of G-D .
So can it be for us . Keep HaShem's Torah ,follow G-D faithfully , keeping close to His Ways and Commandments and we will be Blessed to see the beauty of HaShem surrounding us for we are already in the time of 'Vayechi,' - 'Life,' with our beautiful and Blessed G-D , Who Created all things and is One .
True living is within the word 'Vayechi,' which can be rearranged to spell ' Chayaiv,' which shows 'Living within The Life Force Itself ' - ' Living within HaShem .'
With love to HaShem , I wish HaShem with Love, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Love and to my fellow Yidden , a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.
Friday, 25 December 2015
Friday, 18 December 2015
Parashas Vayigash
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Vayigash.Here,Yehudah approaches Yoseif,as their communication continues ,from the previous Parsha where Binyamin stands to be taken as a slave and Yehudah stands up for him,showing that Yehudah has learnt his lesson of what he did to Yoseif.
The word 'Vayigash,' which means 'And he approached,' is what HaShem chose to use in this context. The more direct word would have been,'Vayikrav,' which means 'Approach or come closer to,' but in this case,Yehudah's intention was not to come closer to whom he thought was the viceroy ,but to spur Yoseif on, in persuading Yoseif to let Binyamin go.The word 'Vayigash,' comes from the word 'Nigash,' which means ,'to spur on /to oppress/to approach.'' HaShem specifically chose this word as here,Yehudah,being so strong and powerful ,was attempting to use his emotional strength to overpower the viceroy.This time,the viceroy (Yoseif) could not be oppressed,as the brothers had previously done to Yoseif.This time,Yoseif was in another position that the brothers had to respect.This time,Yoseif would not be oppressed or put down in any way.Yoseif's dreams had come true and his brothers were forced to respect him.
Another meaning of these words,shows itself here.The word ,' Vayigash,' can also have a future tense meaning which is 'and he will approach,' which shows that this conflict between Yehudah and Yoseif,would continue at a future time and would only be fixed in Moshiach's time.This is exactly what happened when the tribes of Israel split ,after Shlomo Hamelech's son Rechavam took over and the tribes of Yehudah separated from the rest of Israel. Our prophets spoke a lot on this and prophesied many times about these two - Yehudah and Yoseif's tribes coming together at the End of Days. But before this can happen Yehudah and Yoseif and all the tribes of Israel need to follow G-D religiously by approaching G-D as G-D Commands in His Torah and following Torah Law.This is hinted in the word 'Vayigash,' which , as I said can mean ' And he will approach,' which refers to the End of Days,when Israel will approach HaShem and all will do as HaShem requests.
When this happens,HaShem will show Himself and thus give another meaning to these words 'Vayigash,' for then the 'He' in the words ' And He Will Approach,' refers to our beloved HaShem, Who will Approach us and be close to us again, as it was in Gan Eiden.Then HaShem will speak similar words ,saying as Yoseif said ('Ani Yoseif') , HaShem will say 'Ani HaShem.'
HaShem will introduce Himself to us in His long awaited need for our closeness - 'Vayigash,' to us and watch over us from close as Yoseif watched over his brothers.
The fact that Israel - Yaakov and his family who came to Mitzrayim were entering into a place that was far from G-Dliness, did not mean that they were off the path. Sometimes we need to go through certain experiences to strengthen our spirituality, so we can continue to climb toward HaShem,learning lessons we need to learn,for our betterment . Things are never what they appear to be.The fact that we had to go down into Egypt,was , in reality , another step on our pathway to coming close to HaShem . Yaakov's family entered Mitzrayim with 70 souls .The 70th soul was Yocheved (Laivi's daughter and Moshe's Mother) who was born as they went through the gates of Egypt.Our Rabbis say that HaShem made up the 70th soul for HaShem goes down with us into exile and remains close to His people even when they feel troubled and deserted . HaShem never leaves His faithful ones.HaShem is always close.These 70 souls,like the 70 nations of the World, had deep significance that ,at the time could not be understood.Each and every person that is born and each and every action we do has far reaching results that we cannot see.Only in the scheme of things afterwards,does HaShem's Picture start to be realized and seen.This is the same with all things. When things don't appear to be as you feel they should, look beyond, for every step we take is a 'Vayigash,' a step toward HaShem .
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love.
The word 'Vayigash,' which means 'And he approached,' is what HaShem chose to use in this context. The more direct word would have been,'Vayikrav,' which means 'Approach or come closer to,' but in this case,Yehudah's intention was not to come closer to whom he thought was the viceroy ,but to spur Yoseif on, in persuading Yoseif to let Binyamin go.The word 'Vayigash,' comes from the word 'Nigash,' which means ,'to spur on /to oppress/to approach.'' HaShem specifically chose this word as here,Yehudah,being so strong and powerful ,was attempting to use his emotional strength to overpower the viceroy.This time,the viceroy (Yoseif) could not be oppressed,as the brothers had previously done to Yoseif.This time,Yoseif was in another position that the brothers had to respect.This time,Yoseif would not be oppressed or put down in any way.Yoseif's dreams had come true and his brothers were forced to respect him.
Another meaning of these words,shows itself here.The word ,' Vayigash,' can also have a future tense meaning which is 'and he will approach,' which shows that this conflict between Yehudah and Yoseif,would continue at a future time and would only be fixed in Moshiach's time.This is exactly what happened when the tribes of Israel split ,after Shlomo Hamelech's son Rechavam took over and the tribes of Yehudah separated from the rest of Israel. Our prophets spoke a lot on this and prophesied many times about these two - Yehudah and Yoseif's tribes coming together at the End of Days. But before this can happen Yehudah and Yoseif and all the tribes of Israel need to follow G-D religiously by approaching G-D as G-D Commands in His Torah and following Torah Law.This is hinted in the word 'Vayigash,' which , as I said can mean ' And he will approach,' which refers to the End of Days,when Israel will approach HaShem and all will do as HaShem requests.
When this happens,HaShem will show Himself and thus give another meaning to these words 'Vayigash,' for then the 'He' in the words ' And He Will Approach,' refers to our beloved HaShem, Who will Approach us and be close to us again, as it was in Gan Eiden.Then HaShem will speak similar words ,saying as Yoseif said ('Ani Yoseif') , HaShem will say 'Ani HaShem.'
HaShem will introduce Himself to us in His long awaited need for our closeness - 'Vayigash,' to us and watch over us from close as Yoseif watched over his brothers.
The fact that Israel - Yaakov and his family who came to Mitzrayim were entering into a place that was far from G-Dliness, did not mean that they were off the path. Sometimes we need to go through certain experiences to strengthen our spirituality, so we can continue to climb toward HaShem,learning lessons we need to learn,for our betterment . Things are never what they appear to be.The fact that we had to go down into Egypt,was , in reality , another step on our pathway to coming close to HaShem . Yaakov's family entered Mitzrayim with 70 souls .The 70th soul was Yocheved (Laivi's daughter and Moshe's Mother) who was born as they went through the gates of Egypt.Our Rabbis say that HaShem made up the 70th soul for HaShem goes down with us into exile and remains close to His people even when they feel troubled and deserted . HaShem never leaves His faithful ones.HaShem is always close.These 70 souls,like the 70 nations of the World, had deep significance that ,at the time could not be understood.Each and every person that is born and each and every action we do has far reaching results that we cannot see.Only in the scheme of things afterwards,does HaShem's Picture start to be realized and seen.This is the same with all things. When things don't appear to be as you feel they should, look beyond, for every step we take is a 'Vayigash,' a step toward HaShem .
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love.
Friday, 11 December 2015
Parashas Miketz
Our Parsha this Shabbos Chanukah Rosh Chodesh is Parashas Miketz when the time comes for Yoseif to be taken out of the prison and come before Par'o to interpret his dreams and be made viceroy over Egypt.The time had come for Yoseif to fulfill the dreams that he had ,that he had related to his brothers so long ago.The time had come for Yoseif to fulfill his destiny and bring about the start of a long period that would lead eventually to The Jewish People being saved by G-D through Moses and being brought to Har Sinai to receive the Holy Torah and become a holy nation of priests and a holy nation.The time had come for this period to begin.
Our Parsha starts off with the words 'Vayehi Miketz,' which means , 'And it happened at the end.. ,' where the verse continues to tell us that it was at the end of two years to the day that Par'o was dreaming and behold,he stood over the river.'To the day,' shows us that it was exactly at this certain time and not a day earlier or later,but when the time came , for HaShem to bring about His Plan,it happened with not a moment to spare. The word 'Miketz' means ' At the End,' a strange way to describe a process that seemed to just be starting.So there must be more here that HaShem is trying to teach us.
Within the word 'Miketz,' are the words 'Mi' and 'Ketz,' which means ' Who,' and 'End.'Thus,'Who's end,' is being referred to with these words?Nothing in our World is what it appears to be.The way we see things is really nothing like they really are.Here,Yoseif was being released from prison after so many years and ,as we know,became viceroy,only to lead to the Jews being enslaved.This is how it appears.So when we look at the words 'Mi' and 'Ketz,' on the surface it may look as though this was a step toward our slavery.But it was actually a step toward our redemption.So when we ask ,'Who's end? ' It looked like ours.But Chas Ve Shalom, in the end,it turned out that this was really the real start of the end of the Egyptian Power and might.For,when the Jews did leave Egypt,the country was completely broken.Now when we look properly,we see the answer to this question of 'Who's End?' It was the end of Egypt as a power.Nothing in this World happens for no reason.Though things may not always look positive,we need to trust HaShem, for when man is busy planning his own schemes, HaShem in His Infinite Wisdom is taking the works of men and turning it to a positive advantage.
The word 'Ketz' that is within the word 'Miketz,' also has another reference.The word 'Ketz,' also refers to the 'End of Days,' - The 'Ketz.' The End of Days,when this World will be a World of Holiness.That is the final 'Ketz,' the final ' End.'The very fact that this word was used here and that it is linked to a reference to 'The End Of Days,' is by no means a just a choice of words Chas Ve Shalom. This word and reference of 'The End' is here for a reason.What appears around and after this word in this verse,has a commonality with what will happen in the End of Days.
The Jews have had a very hard time among the nations,religiously and in every way.We have been maligned and tortured and killed for our belief.We have been murdered and put under extreme hardships while others tried to force us to abandon our faith Chas Ve Shalom , for the nations have thought that the Jews were scorned of G-D Chas Ve Shalom , for not believing as the other nations do.We have been blamed through the centuries for a story that was not even true.The nations have called us afflicted from G-D , Chas Ve Shalom and lost to the covenant ,Chas Ve Shalom.But at the End of Days,the nations will see that it is us all along that HaShem has looked to,to spread His Holiness in this World and thus make a place for HaShem to live among us.For ,when HaShem chooses the time of the End of Days,it will happen without delay ,as the first verse says,'to the day,' when HaShem will show the nations His Light and our light and we will be a light unto the nations attaining our rightful position as HaShem's guides to lead the nations to Him, through the truth of our Torah that we have followed all along. The nations will see that we are not outcast,but were part of HaShem's Plan all along.Though we Jews , as a people , have had to go through many hardships through the centuries,at the End of Days, the full picture will show itself and , as the prophet says ,'They will take hold of the robe of one Jew,and follow him, for they will see that the L-RD is with him.' As Yoseif suffered over the robe that Zulaicha, the wife of Potiphar tried to use against him, so will we shine in truth as the nations take hold of our robe and truth and follow its path to the light of G-D to G-D The One And Only.
At the time that HaShem will decide to usher in the 'End of Days,' so will it happen like a flood,quickly without delay.The same was with Yoseif.When it came to the exact moment that Yoseif was to be released and become Viceroy over Egypt, HaShem brought it like a flood.Yoseif was rushed from the dungeon ,cleaned and washed and his hair cut (for his hair had not been cut in a long time for he lived as a Nazarite in holiness since he was forced to leave his Father Yaakov) and brought before Par'o so the brilliance of HaShem could be shown to all , not a moment later than it was to be.
As Par'o awoke from his dreams standing over the river he had to admit that he was not the one who created the nile as he had told his people.HaShem showed him and his people that it is HaShem Who Created the river and all things and that he was only a created being with no power.The 'Miketz' had come to show the people that G-D is G-D.
So, 'Mi' 'Ketz' 'Who is the End?'HaShem is the true beginning and end.Who make all? HaShem makes all.
The Hebrew word 'Ketz,' has the Gematrical value of 100+90=190 and 1+9+0=10 and 1+0=1 showing that as HaShem Created the World alone with 10 pronouncements and that at the End Of Days all will see that HASHEM is ONE.
As we light our candles throughout the beautiful days of Chanukah,may we bring the light of HaShem into our homes and into this World so that we can dispel the darkness and make this World a place where HaShem's Shechinah can dwell among us and usher in the 'Final End Of Days,' as we celebrate our Holy Shabbos Chanukah on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Tevet and so, may the Eternal Shabbos come now to usher in the final 'Miketz,' with a World filled with G-Dliness as the Light of HaShem permeates every part of this Creation and our waiting come to an end when HaShem ushers in The End Of Days in our time.
May we and all Creation be filled with the Light of HaShem.
With love to HaShem,I wish HaShem with love, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh,Vreiliche Chag Chanukah Sameach and Chodesh Tov with love and to my fellow Yidden,a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh,Vreiliche Chanukah and Chodesh Tov with love.
Our Parsha starts off with the words 'Vayehi Miketz,' which means , 'And it happened at the end.. ,' where the verse continues to tell us that it was at the end of two years to the day that Par'o was dreaming and behold,he stood over the river.'To the day,' shows us that it was exactly at this certain time and not a day earlier or later,but when the time came , for HaShem to bring about His Plan,it happened with not a moment to spare. The word 'Miketz' means ' At the End,' a strange way to describe a process that seemed to just be starting.So there must be more here that HaShem is trying to teach us.
Within the word 'Miketz,' are the words 'Mi' and 'Ketz,' which means ' Who,' and 'End.'Thus,'Who's end,' is being referred to with these words?Nothing in our World is what it appears to be.The way we see things is really nothing like they really are.Here,Yoseif was being released from prison after so many years and ,as we know,became viceroy,only to lead to the Jews being enslaved.This is how it appears.So when we look at the words 'Mi' and 'Ketz,' on the surface it may look as though this was a step toward our slavery.But it was actually a step toward our redemption.So when we ask ,'Who's end? ' It looked like ours.But Chas Ve Shalom, in the end,it turned out that this was really the real start of the end of the Egyptian Power and might.For,when the Jews did leave Egypt,the country was completely broken.Now when we look properly,we see the answer to this question of 'Who's End?' It was the end of Egypt as a power.Nothing in this World happens for no reason.Though things may not always look positive,we need to trust HaShem, for when man is busy planning his own schemes, HaShem in His Infinite Wisdom is taking the works of men and turning it to a positive advantage.
The word 'Ketz' that is within the word 'Miketz,' also has another reference.The word 'Ketz,' also refers to the 'End of Days,' - The 'Ketz.' The End of Days,when this World will be a World of Holiness.That is the final 'Ketz,' the final ' End.'The very fact that this word was used here and that it is linked to a reference to 'The End Of Days,' is by no means a just a choice of words Chas Ve Shalom. This word and reference of 'The End' is here for a reason.What appears around and after this word in this verse,has a commonality with what will happen in the End of Days.
The Jews have had a very hard time among the nations,religiously and in every way.We have been maligned and tortured and killed for our belief.We have been murdered and put under extreme hardships while others tried to force us to abandon our faith Chas Ve Shalom , for the nations have thought that the Jews were scorned of G-D Chas Ve Shalom , for not believing as the other nations do.We have been blamed through the centuries for a story that was not even true.The nations have called us afflicted from G-D , Chas Ve Shalom and lost to the covenant ,Chas Ve Shalom.But at the End of Days,the nations will see that it is us all along that HaShem has looked to,to spread His Holiness in this World and thus make a place for HaShem to live among us.For ,when HaShem chooses the time of the End of Days,it will happen without delay ,as the first verse says,'to the day,' when HaShem will show the nations His Light and our light and we will be a light unto the nations attaining our rightful position as HaShem's guides to lead the nations to Him, through the truth of our Torah that we have followed all along. The nations will see that we are not outcast,but were part of HaShem's Plan all along.Though we Jews , as a people , have had to go through many hardships through the centuries,at the End of Days, the full picture will show itself and , as the prophet says ,'They will take hold of the robe of one Jew,and follow him, for they will see that the L-RD is with him.' As Yoseif suffered over the robe that Zulaicha, the wife of Potiphar tried to use against him, so will we shine in truth as the nations take hold of our robe and truth and follow its path to the light of G-D to G-D The One And Only.
At the time that HaShem will decide to usher in the 'End of Days,' so will it happen like a flood,quickly without delay.The same was with Yoseif.When it came to the exact moment that Yoseif was to be released and become Viceroy over Egypt, HaShem brought it like a flood.Yoseif was rushed from the dungeon ,cleaned and washed and his hair cut (for his hair had not been cut in a long time for he lived as a Nazarite in holiness since he was forced to leave his Father Yaakov) and brought before Par'o so the brilliance of HaShem could be shown to all , not a moment later than it was to be.
As Par'o awoke from his dreams standing over the river he had to admit that he was not the one who created the nile as he had told his people.HaShem showed him and his people that it is HaShem Who Created the river and all things and that he was only a created being with no power.The 'Miketz' had come to show the people that G-D is G-D.
So, 'Mi' 'Ketz' 'Who is the End?'HaShem is the true beginning and end.Who make all? HaShem makes all.
The Hebrew word 'Ketz,' has the Gematrical value of 100+90=190 and 1+9+0=10 and 1+0=1 showing that as HaShem Created the World alone with 10 pronouncements and that at the End Of Days all will see that HASHEM is ONE.
As we light our candles throughout the beautiful days of Chanukah,may we bring the light of HaShem into our homes and into this World so that we can dispel the darkness and make this World a place where HaShem's Shechinah can dwell among us and usher in the 'Final End Of Days,' as we celebrate our Holy Shabbos Chanukah on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Tevet and so, may the Eternal Shabbos come now to usher in the final 'Miketz,' with a World filled with G-Dliness as the Light of HaShem permeates every part of this Creation and our waiting come to an end when HaShem ushers in The End Of Days in our time.
May we and all Creation be filled with the Light of HaShem.
With love to HaShem,I wish HaShem with love, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh,Vreiliche Chag Chanukah Sameach and Chodesh Tov with love and to my fellow Yidden,a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh,Vreiliche Chanukah and Chodesh Tov with love.
Friday, 4 December 2015
Parashas Vayeishev
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Vayeishev where Yaakov settles in the Holy Land,but this is not a permanent settling for,the tragedy that was about to come,in Yaakov losing his beloved Yoseif for so many years ,shows that,as Jews,we are only truly settled in Eretz Yisroel when the final Third Temple will be built on the Holy Site in Yerushalaim.Till then,a Jew wanders,even in the Holy Land,till the time for the Final Redemption comes.
The word 'Vayeishev,' means 'And he settled,' although as mentioned,this would not be a total settling,for once the incident of Yoseif took place which would bring the family to Mitzrayim (Egypt) ,Yaakov and his family would leave Canaan and would not return till generations later after the Egyptian slavery.So why does HaShem use the word 'Vayeishev,' - 'And he settled?' There must be hidden meanings here.
In Jewish Law,we are told that an event starts at it's beginnings,so this means that although the family was to leave Canaan for now,this settling of Yaakov was the start pf the entire process that would lead them back to Canaan,with G-D's Law in their hearts,minds and hands and thus allow Canaan to be the truly settled place it is to be-a place where the Torah would be kept and thus a place where HaShem's Shechinah could and will eventually reside among us.And it is here where the hidden meaning of the word 'Vayeishev,' shows itself,for if we take the word 'Vayeishev,' and split it into the words within it,we get ' Va (And) Yeish (Have) Av (Father) ' - thus rendering the words -'And I have the Father ' Who we know is G-D . G-D is our Father.So therefore the words 'Vayeishev Yaakov,' , taking the words within 'Vayeishev' and putting them with Yaakov,shows that Yaakov had HaShem while within the land of Canaan.This sounds strange for G-D is everywhere.This is not strange at all, for while a holy man is among holiness , HaShem's Shechinah resides closer to him but while a Jew is outside a holy place,among unholiness and unholy and immoral people , the Shechinah of HaShem wants to leave . We saw this while Avraham was with Lot . Only when Lot left Avraham and went toward Sodom,did HaShem come and speak to Avraham . Our Rabbis tell us that while Lot was with Avraham,HaShem stayed away.
While Yaakov and the family were in the Holy Land , HaShem's Shechinah would reside closer,for this land is HaShem's Special Holy place.This land of Israel must be a land where Torah is strictly kept so that HaShem's Shechinah can dwell among its residents.
It is here in this Parsha that we are told that Yaakov was not to have a permanent settling , for tragedy struck and his beloved son Yoseif was wrenched from his care . Yoseif himself was not to remain in the Holy Land but was sold by his brothers and sent off to Mitzraim (Egypt) , after being exchanged on the way four times before he got to Egypt . HaShem took pity on him and went with him to protect him and all he touched in the home he was to be a slave in , was Blessed by HaShem .Here HaShem remained with him for Yoseif took HaShem with him in every way that Yoseif kept every Law of HaShem in Egypt that he learned from his Father Yaakov . Yoseif never became an Egyptian .He never hid his Jewishness . Yoseif remained a Jew who was in Egypt in all the Hebrew Laws he kept , among his Egyptian rulers . The Hebrew word for Egypt is 'Mitzrayim,' which means 'Borders,' for once someone came into their border,they were not allowed to leave unless Par'o (Pharoah) gave permission for them to leave . It was a land closed in and covered by idolworship and evil Tum'a (Spiritual Impurity) yet Yoseif humbly kept the way of the One True Living G-D, HaShem.
Yoseif was sold to Egypt by his brothers who thought his dreams and favoritism by their Father meant that they would lose the Blessings and love from their Father but this would never have been the case.Yoseif would bring reports of their conduct to their Father,never to hurt them, but so that they could be taught and raised to a higher spiritual level . There was never an intention to harm them and sadly Yoseif became a victim of circumstance and his own mistaken judgement and need for acceptance,yet with a Holy purpose that , at that time , he could not understand.Every action the brothers perpetrated on him ,they were punished for, as we see with the interjection of the story of Yehudah , who was like a king among the brothers and who could have stopped the selling of Yoseif , but he didn't so he lost his own two sons . Yaakov had to hear the terrible news of the loss of his son with the very same word that he himself used to his own Father Yitzchak when he went in to get the Blessing instead of his brother Eisav- the word 'Recognize' this garment, the same words that Tamar who was denied Yehudah's third son , ended up telling Yehudah , when she showed the signet ,staff and cloak that Yehudah had given her in lieu of a pledge till he would send her a goat (the same animal's blood that Yehudah had dipped Yoseif's coat into , when they brought the coat to Yaakov) ,when Tamar said to him 'Recognize if you please whose are these.'
We have in this Parsha so many lessons and so many sparks of wisdom,within each and every word.Here we are shown that everything a person does,has a consequence.Here we are shown not to jump to conclusions about what we think we see in others, as Yoseif sadly did about his brothers . Here we are taught to never show favoritism for one child above another or others . Here we are taught the heights of forgiveness,for Yoseif ended up forgiving his brothers and watching over them while they stayed in Egypt even after the way they treated him . And most of all , here we are shown the ultimate need to have faith and trust in HaShem for He Knows what to do and quietly watches after His Holy ones and those who follow Him faithfully.
Poor Yoseif found himself in a foreign land,a land where HaShem was not acknowledged . A land where he was sold into slavery to Potiphar , Par'o's chief executioner , as a fore-runner for our people who were sold into slavery , for he ended up in the home of Potiphar (Potiphera in the ancient tongue meant 'the 'mutilated one' for he was not able to have children and was so called) and his wife who constantly hounded Yoseif , thinking she would have offspring with him , for she saw this in the stars . Yet the Jewish pathway is not judged by stars, but as HaShem said to Avraham that he must raise himself above the stars,showing that our mazal is in the hands of HaShem personally . Yoseif ended up marrying Potiphera's and his wife's ( Zulaicha's ) adopted daughter whose name was Asenath , who was actually Yaakov's grand-daughter through his daughter Dinah.
So Yoseif found himself in a place of unholy spirituality in Egypt ,yet never for a moment, did he ever leave his faith.This is the path of a Jew . To make our way through this World, being a banner for HaShem , no matter where we find ourselves , to be a constant promoter for HaShem , bringing this World to the belief in the One True G-D , HaShem.
We may not yet be 'settled,' but how can we be settled,while HaShem's Shechinah is not yet settled among us in this World.
To be truly settled,each and every one of us are to make every part of this World a place where HaShem can dwell and 'Vayeishev' - 'Settle,' so that HaShem can have His long -awaited 'Vayeishev,' - 'Settling,' with all His children , all His Creation , in a World that keeps His Laws and Ways .
Then Yaakov and his children can truly peacefully settle in Canaan and all Creation come to know the truth of HaShem's Love for all things . When this World becomes a Torah - kept World (for in actual fact , it is not just that people keep Torah, but actually it really is also that Torah keeps and carries the World ) ,then it will be a world where HaShem can 'Vayeishev' - 'Settle' among us and Yaakov and his children can settle in peace in Canaan . Then the first verse of this Parsha will take on a future meaning , for it hints at saying that, ' Vayeishev Yaakov B'Eretz M'Gurei Aviv B'Eretz K'na'an,' - ' And He (G-D) (Vayeishev shows a Yud for 'He ' in the future tense) will settle Yaakov in the land of his sojournings , in the land of Canaan .' May this settling come soon and may we all be Blessed with the Light of the Final Redemption where we can all be worthy to dwell in peace and settle with the Shechinah of HaShem.
I wish HaShem with love, a Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and a Vreiliche Chag Chanukah Sameach and to my fellow Yidden, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and a vreiliche Chag Chanukah Sameach with love .
The word 'Vayeishev,' means 'And he settled,' although as mentioned,this would not be a total settling,for once the incident of Yoseif took place which would bring the family to Mitzrayim (Egypt) ,Yaakov and his family would leave Canaan and would not return till generations later after the Egyptian slavery.So why does HaShem use the word 'Vayeishev,' - 'And he settled?' There must be hidden meanings here.
In Jewish Law,we are told that an event starts at it's beginnings,so this means that although the family was to leave Canaan for now,this settling of Yaakov was the start pf the entire process that would lead them back to Canaan,with G-D's Law in their hearts,minds and hands and thus allow Canaan to be the truly settled place it is to be-a place where the Torah would be kept and thus a place where HaShem's Shechinah could and will eventually reside among us.And it is here where the hidden meaning of the word 'Vayeishev,' shows itself,for if we take the word 'Vayeishev,' and split it into the words within it,we get ' Va (And) Yeish (Have) Av (Father) ' - thus rendering the words -'And I have the Father ' Who we know is G-D . G-D is our Father.So therefore the words 'Vayeishev Yaakov,' , taking the words within 'Vayeishev' and putting them with Yaakov,shows that Yaakov had HaShem while within the land of Canaan.This sounds strange for G-D is everywhere.This is not strange at all, for while a holy man is among holiness , HaShem's Shechinah resides closer to him but while a Jew is outside a holy place,among unholiness and unholy and immoral people , the Shechinah of HaShem wants to leave . We saw this while Avraham was with Lot . Only when Lot left Avraham and went toward Sodom,did HaShem come and speak to Avraham . Our Rabbis tell us that while Lot was with Avraham,HaShem stayed away.
While Yaakov and the family were in the Holy Land , HaShem's Shechinah would reside closer,for this land is HaShem's Special Holy place.This land of Israel must be a land where Torah is strictly kept so that HaShem's Shechinah can dwell among its residents.
It is here in this Parsha that we are told that Yaakov was not to have a permanent settling , for tragedy struck and his beloved son Yoseif was wrenched from his care . Yoseif himself was not to remain in the Holy Land but was sold by his brothers and sent off to Mitzraim (Egypt) , after being exchanged on the way four times before he got to Egypt . HaShem took pity on him and went with him to protect him and all he touched in the home he was to be a slave in , was Blessed by HaShem .Here HaShem remained with him for Yoseif took HaShem with him in every way that Yoseif kept every Law of HaShem in Egypt that he learned from his Father Yaakov . Yoseif never became an Egyptian .He never hid his Jewishness . Yoseif remained a Jew who was in Egypt in all the Hebrew Laws he kept , among his Egyptian rulers . The Hebrew word for Egypt is 'Mitzrayim,' which means 'Borders,' for once someone came into their border,they were not allowed to leave unless Par'o (Pharoah) gave permission for them to leave . It was a land closed in and covered by idolworship and evil Tum'a (Spiritual Impurity) yet Yoseif humbly kept the way of the One True Living G-D, HaShem.
Yoseif was sold to Egypt by his brothers who thought his dreams and favoritism by their Father meant that they would lose the Blessings and love from their Father but this would never have been the case.Yoseif would bring reports of their conduct to their Father,never to hurt them, but so that they could be taught and raised to a higher spiritual level . There was never an intention to harm them and sadly Yoseif became a victim of circumstance and his own mistaken judgement and need for acceptance,yet with a Holy purpose that , at that time , he could not understand.Every action the brothers perpetrated on him ,they were punished for, as we see with the interjection of the story of Yehudah , who was like a king among the brothers and who could have stopped the selling of Yoseif , but he didn't so he lost his own two sons . Yaakov had to hear the terrible news of the loss of his son with the very same word that he himself used to his own Father Yitzchak when he went in to get the Blessing instead of his brother Eisav- the word 'Recognize' this garment, the same words that Tamar who was denied Yehudah's third son , ended up telling Yehudah , when she showed the signet ,staff and cloak that Yehudah had given her in lieu of a pledge till he would send her a goat (the same animal's blood that Yehudah had dipped Yoseif's coat into , when they brought the coat to Yaakov) ,when Tamar said to him 'Recognize if you please whose are these.'
We have in this Parsha so many lessons and so many sparks of wisdom,within each and every word.Here we are shown that everything a person does,has a consequence.Here we are shown not to jump to conclusions about what we think we see in others, as Yoseif sadly did about his brothers . Here we are taught to never show favoritism for one child above another or others . Here we are taught the heights of forgiveness,for Yoseif ended up forgiving his brothers and watching over them while they stayed in Egypt even after the way they treated him . And most of all , here we are shown the ultimate need to have faith and trust in HaShem for He Knows what to do and quietly watches after His Holy ones and those who follow Him faithfully.
Poor Yoseif found himself in a foreign land,a land where HaShem was not acknowledged . A land where he was sold into slavery to Potiphar , Par'o's chief executioner , as a fore-runner for our people who were sold into slavery , for he ended up in the home of Potiphar (Potiphera in the ancient tongue meant 'the 'mutilated one' for he was not able to have children and was so called) and his wife who constantly hounded Yoseif , thinking she would have offspring with him , for she saw this in the stars . Yet the Jewish pathway is not judged by stars, but as HaShem said to Avraham that he must raise himself above the stars,showing that our mazal is in the hands of HaShem personally . Yoseif ended up marrying Potiphera's and his wife's ( Zulaicha's ) adopted daughter whose name was Asenath , who was actually Yaakov's grand-daughter through his daughter Dinah.
So Yoseif found himself in a place of unholy spirituality in Egypt ,yet never for a moment, did he ever leave his faith.This is the path of a Jew . To make our way through this World, being a banner for HaShem , no matter where we find ourselves , to be a constant promoter for HaShem , bringing this World to the belief in the One True G-D , HaShem.
We may not yet be 'settled,' but how can we be settled,while HaShem's Shechinah is not yet settled among us in this World.
To be truly settled,each and every one of us are to make every part of this World a place where HaShem can dwell and 'Vayeishev' - 'Settle,' so that HaShem can have His long -awaited 'Vayeishev,' - 'Settling,' with all His children , all His Creation , in a World that keeps His Laws and Ways .
Then Yaakov and his children can truly peacefully settle in Canaan and all Creation come to know the truth of HaShem's Love for all things . When this World becomes a Torah - kept World (for in actual fact , it is not just that people keep Torah, but actually it really is also that Torah keeps and carries the World ) ,then it will be a world where HaShem can 'Vayeishev' - 'Settle' among us and Yaakov and his children can settle in peace in Canaan . Then the first verse of this Parsha will take on a future meaning , for it hints at saying that, ' Vayeishev Yaakov B'Eretz M'Gurei Aviv B'Eretz K'na'an,' - ' And He (G-D) (Vayeishev shows a Yud for 'He ' in the future tense) will settle Yaakov in the land of his sojournings , in the land of Canaan .' May this settling come soon and may we all be Blessed with the Light of the Final Redemption where we can all be worthy to dwell in peace and settle with the Shechinah of HaShem.
I wish HaShem with love, a Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and a Vreiliche Chag Chanukah Sameach and to my fellow Yidden, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and a vreiliche Chag Chanukah Sameach with love .
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