Podcasts about yaakov

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After being told Yosef was alive, Yaakov offered korbanos to “The God of his Father Yitzchak” (Breishis 46:1). Why not just say God or connect God with Avraham as well? Rashi explains that a person is obligated to honor his father more than his grandfather. This episode analyzes this cryptic Rashi.

It's that time of year, when we reflect on what has gone down for the last 12 months and dare to look at ahead at what may be in store. State of Tel Aviv and Beyond regular commentator, Ya'akov Katz, joins me to attempt the impossible; try to understand what had happened in Israel and what may be coming at us. We focus on the big picture; in particular, why Israelis are so divided and what may address these rifts going forward. A crisis of trust and values afflicts this country. But the difference with Israel from most other countries is that we exist on a knife edge. In a flash, on October 7, 2023, we went from being a strong, regional power to a nation attacked by a terrorist group that had become a well-oiled, armed, and disciplined military force. Since then Israel has regained its military footing, somewhat, but is a country more deeply divided than ever. And the vested political interests seem to be determined to keep it that way. We discuss some of the more spectacular political scandals and the increasingly illiberal conduct by members of the coalition government. This is an election year in Israel. Ya'akov and I agree that the future of Israel will turn on the outcome of this election….that is….if it even happens.Reminder: Until midnight on December 31 (EST), our subscription special offer of $45 for one year is in place. On January 1, subscription rates go up and most of our content will be available to premium subscribers only. Please consider supporting our work. State of Tel Aviv is an independent enterprise. We depend on subscriber support to operate.Happy new year to all.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast Notes* Podcast on State of Tel Aviv and Beyond, discussing issues raised in this discussion with Ya'akov Katz.* Column by Ya'akov Katz published in Jerusalem Post, Friday, December 26, 2025.Blurred loyalties in PMO are a danger Israel cannot ignoreAfter watching the three-part interview with Eli Feldstein, one of the central figures in the leak of classified intelligence documents to BILD and the broader Qatargate affair, a few things become clear.First, Feldstein is a deeply problematic character. Second, these interviews were clearly intended to rehabilitate his image ahead of a looming court case. And third, his central argument is simple: he portrays himself as a pawn, knowingly or unknowingly manipulated by more powerful figures operating in the prime minister's inner circle - including Prime Minister's Office adviser Jonathan Urich, former Likud campaign strategist Srulik Einhorn, and ultimately allegedly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself.Some of what Feldstein says is hard to swallow. His attempt to cast himself as a passive bystander in one of the most serious national security scandals in years is not easy to believe. And yet, it is equally impossible to simply dismiss everything he says out of hand. That tension alone should set off alarm bells.Because when allegations are this severe, and when they touch the very nerve center of Israeli decision-making, silence is not an option. Shrugging it off as spin by a defendant trying to save himself is simply reckless.This leads to one unavoidable conclusion: Israel must conduct a serious, deep, and independent investigation into what happened here. Not only into the leaks themselves, but into how three people operating at the heart of the Prime Minister's Office ended up working - whether knowingly or not - in the service of Qatar.This is not a marginal scandal. It hits at the core of our national security and the public's trust in its government. If foreign interests penetrated the PMO, even indirectly, the implications are staggering. And if they did not, then the public deserves to know that as well. Either way, the truth must be reached.There is also a broader lesson that cannot be ignored. Israel urgently needs clear rules and hard red lines. An adviser to the prime minister cannot be allowed to simultaneously serve other clients. The notion that someone can advise Israel's most powerful decision-maker while also consulting for foreign governments, multinational corporations, or even tech companies is dangerous.This principle must apply to the current prime minister and to anyone else who aspires to the job. Public service at this level cannot coexist with private interests. National security does not allow for blurred lines.Without accountability, there can be no leadershipAccountability is famously a word in English that does not have a direct translation into Hebrew. There are phrases that attempt to approximate it, but none that fully capture its meaning – an obligation to accept responsibility, to answer for decisions that are made, and to face their consequences.That absence of the word is not merely linguistic. It reflects something deeper about Israeli political culture and what has become a constant in the country: Try to avoid responsibility, deflect blame, and do everything to remain in power.That deficiency helps explain more than the current debate over a commission of inquiry. It also explains something no less disturbing: how, despite the scale of the failures of October 7 and the war that followed, Israeli politics are almost exactly the same as they were before.The same figures are once again vying for power ahead of the elections that will be held in the second half of 2026. The same names are in the polls, from the politicians currently in the Knesset to those who were there just a couple of years ago.It would have been natural to think that, in the aftermath of the greatest disaster in our national history, new leadership would have already emerged. Someone – or even multiple people – would be electrifying the country, showing that things can be done differently and that there are alternatives to the current cadre leading us now or vying to lead us in the future.But there aren't, and this is striking. Israel is a country known for its innovation, creativity, and courage. It produces world-class entrepreneurs, military commanders, scientists, and civil-society leaders. Yet when it comes to politics, the system seems stuck.Even the party that claims to represent the reservists who fought in Gaza and Lebanon over the last two years – a movement that should carry one of the most morally compelling voices today – is being led by a former failed politician. Not a new figure, but by someone from the same old political class.The reason this is the case, I believe, is because systems that avoid accountability also suppress renewal. When failure carries no real consequences and leaders do not step aside, those watching from the outside are taught a clear lesson: Politics is not a path to service, but rather a place where staying on the wheel and in the game come first. It is less about what you do and more about how long you can be there.It is through this lens that the Knesset vote on Wednesday must be understood. The legislation advanced this week, aimed at giving the government the ability to establish a commission of inquiry and appoint its members, stands in stark contrast to a state commission of inquiry – Israel's highest investigative authority – whose composition is determined independently by the judiciary.Both options are flawed and will be rejected by about half of the people. If the state commission is appointed, the half that does not trust the Supreme Court will not believe a word that the commission writes. If the government-appointed committee moves ahead, the same will happen, just from the other side. Either way, to some extent, Israel is stuck – there is no perfect option.But beyond the numbers of who supports what, something even more basic is at stake and should be the determining factor.Anyone detained by the police does not get to choose the detectives handling the case. When citizens appear before a zoning or planning commission, they do not get to select the panel that will hear their appeal. When people go to court, they do not get to decide who the judges will be.In every functioning system, this principle is non-negotiable. The moment a suspect chooses the investigator, the investigation ceases to be credible.Yet in this case, we are being told that the same ministers who failed in the years leading up to October 7 – and on October 7 itself – should determine who will investigate those failures. In what world does this make sense? And in what reality does this lead to accountability? It doesn't. With such a commission, there is only one result – evading responsibility.Israelis deserve to know what went wrong before and on October 7. Not for political gain, and not for revenge, but to ensure that such a catastrophe never happens again. Accountability is not about settling scores. It is about learning, correcting, and preventing.And we already have a clear indication of how a politically appointed commission would function.All one had to do was listen to the first meeting of the committee tasked with appointing it. Instead of focusing on decisions taken in the years leading up to the war, the discussion immediately drifted backwards – to the Oslo Accords, to the disengagement from Gaza. Other MKs spoke of the need to investigate the judiciary and the attorney general.Was there any serious discussion of the policy of containment crafted by the prime minister and adopted by successive governments? Any real reckoning with the Qatari cash transferred to Gaza with the approval of all prime ministers over the last seven years? Any willingness to examine decisions made at the highest political level within this government?Of course not.And that brings us back to the absence of renewal. When accountability is avoided, truth is delayed. When truth is delayed, leaders cling to power. And when leaders never step aside, new leadership cannot emerge.The choice facing Israel, therefore, is not just technical and about what model of inquiry we should adopt. It is between two different approaches to power.One seeks to uncover the truth, however uncomfortable it may be, with the purpose of rebuilding. The other is designed to protect those in power from the consequences of their own decisions.After October 7, Israel does not need another round of blame or the re-litigation of historical events with, at best, tangential relevance to October 7. The country needs a reckoning rooted in independence and integrity. It needs accountability – precisely the one thing that cannot be obtained by those who fear it most.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What does the cold winter teach us?  Asarah B'Teves What is the significance of this day and what lessons does it teach us, especially facing our current challenges? Why does this fast day supersede Shabbos? Does this fast day commemorate other sad events that happened during these days? Why was translating the Torah into Greek considered a tragedy? And what about the passing of Ezra the Scribe?  May I vent and express my anger and frustration? After all the pain and anguish, I want to also voice my pride in the powerful response of the Jewish people Where does the expression “didan notzach” originate? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week's Torah parsha? Why did Yaakov initially consider revealing when Moshiach would come? And then why was he prevented from doing so? If we include Menashe and Ephraim as tribes, why are their twelve tribes and not fourteen? What's the difference between Reuven and Shimon in our personal avodah? What exactly does hiskashrus to the Rebbe mean? Can it be imposed and done mechanically? Does it leave room for individuality? How does hiskashrus enhance life? Aftermath of the horrific Sydney massacre Hei Teves Vayechi Hiskashrus 

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Zach Millunchick to discuss tradition, authority, and the Rambam's vision for halakhic and intellectual life today. Rabbi Millunchick reflects on being a student of Rabbi Nahum Rabinovitch a'h, who was also a formative teacher of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks a'h, and explains how Rav Rabinovitch's approach continues to shape his worldview. From there, the conversation turns to his book Kakhol HaYam, which emerges from a deep commitment to the Rambam alongside a willingness to rethink assumptions about tradition, authority, and leadership. We explore his central claim that laws derived through the thirteen hermeneutical principles are fundamentally rabbinic, even when they appear indistinguishable from biblical law in the Talmud, and what this means for understanding halakhic authority. Rabbi Millunchick also explains the Rambam's sharp distinction between clarifying the Torah's meaning and creating new law through human reasoning, and why collapsing that distinction carries serious intellectual and religious consequences. The discussion then moves to the second half of Kakhol HaYam, where Rabbi Millunchick argues that the Rambam's theory of halakhic authority cannot be separated from his political philosophy, including his views on courts, governance, and human perfection. We consider whether this model of tradition—neither rigid nor relativistic—is viable in the absence of a Sanhedrin, or whether it reveals unresolved tensions in modern Jewish life. The episode concludes with a conversation about Jewish education in Israel, particularly within the Dati Leumi world. Rabbi Millunchick addresses the common blending of Rav Kook and the Rambam, explains what he believes needs to change in the yeshiva curriculum, and shares his vision for a new mekhina he is developing with Rabbi Yohai Makbili and what he hopes students will take with them. Special thanks to Rabbi Jonathan Livi for connecting us and making this conversation possible.---*This episode is dedicated to the refua shelema of Sarah Miriam bat Tamar, Binyamin ben Zilpa, and our dear friend Yaakov ben Haya Sarah Malakh, and b'ilui nishmat Zehara Yehudit bat Yaakov Ezra v'Ilana Shira.---• Bio: Rabbi Zach Millunchick is a student of Rabbi Nahum Rabinovitch, of blessed memory, and is currently working on the continuation of his monumental commentary on the Mishne Torah, the Yad Peshuta. He authored the book כחול הים - על העברת המסורת והנהגת העם במשנת הרמב״ם, which focuses on the Rambam's political theory, from both halakhic and philosophical perspectives.---• Welcome to JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED: A PODCAST FOR THE PERPLEXED | Co-hosted by Benjy & Benzi | Thank you to...Super Patron: Jordan Karmily, Platinum Patron: Craig Gordon, Rod Ilian, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Vasya, Silver Patrons: Ellen Fleischer, Daniel M., Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal, Fred & Antonio, Jeffrey Wasserman, and Jacob Winston! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL so you can get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Jason Ingber Podcast, Jason sits down with Yaakov Langer for a wildly funny, fast-moving conversation that goes completely off the rails — in the best way possible. From debating Batman vs James Bond, to inventing fake bestselling books, to breaking down absurd "who would win" scenarios, this episode is packed with sharp wit, chaotic storytelling, and nonstop laughs. What starts as a casual conversation quickly turns into a full-blown improv session filled with pop culture takes, wild hypotheticals, and moments that absolutely should not work… but somehow do. If you love long-form comedy, unscripted chaos, and conversations that take unexpected turns, this episode is for you.

Full TorahAnytime Lecture Video or Audio More classes from R' Yaakov Mizrahi ⭐ 2,522

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Rabbi Adam Kligfeld's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, December 27, 2025. (Youtube/Zoom)

In this conversation with R. Zvi Grumet, we study the final requests of Yaakov in this week's parsha and those of King David in the Haftorah. David, seeking to ensure the security of Shlomo's monarchy, asks his son to complete three tasks of unfinished business for David. We explore the backstory of those requests and what they reflect about David's character. This week's episode has been sponsored for the 10th yartzheit of Nathan Werdiger by his daughters Michelle Feiglin and Debbie Nossbaum. Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazek! We continue our Haftorah study with the book of Shemot.

התוכן הוראה ממ"ש בהתחלת פ' ויחי "ויחי יעקב בארץ מצרים וגו'" עפ"י ביאור אדה"ז בזה שע"י ש"את יהודה שלח לפניו להורות לפניו גשנה" – "לתקן לו בית תלמוד", לימוד התורה, יכול להיות "ויחי" גם בארץ מצרים! אבל גם אז – ח"ו לחשוב שגלות הוא מקום המתאים ליהודי, אלא כל זמן שהוא נמצא בגלות ה"ה מכריז, צועק ומבקש מהקב"ה "ונשאתני ממצרים"! וכאשר מרגישים שגלות אינו מקומם האמיתי – מובן שכאשר הקב"ה נותן שטחים של א"י מחזיקים בהם בשתי ידים ואינם מוותרים מאומה! וכן בנוגע שטחים של חו"ל הנוגעים לבטחונם של בנ"י שבא"י שאין לוותר ח"ו עליהם. וכאשר יפסיקו לפחד מהגוי ומ"גוישקייט", ויתנהגו עפ"י רצונו של הקב"ה, נעשים הם ה"בעלי-בתים" על המציאות כולה!ב' חלקים משיחת יום א' פ' ויחי, י' טבת ה'תשמ"ג ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=28-12-2025 Synopsis As the Alter Rebbe explains, the reason Yaakov was able to “live in the land of Egypt” is because he had already “‘sent Yehudah ahead to Goshen' – to establish a house of Torah study.” But even then, chas v'shalom for a Jew to think that exile is fitting place for him; rather, as long as a Jew is in exile, he cries out and pleads with Hashem to “Carry me out of Egypt!” And when Jews feel that exile is not their true place, then obviously, when Hashem grants them additional territory in Eretz Yisroel, they hold on to it with both hands and do not relinquish even an inch. Similarly, they must not chas v'shalom relinquish any territory that affects the security of the Jewish people, even if it is not part of Eretz Yisroel itself. When Jews stop being afraid of goyim and goyishkeit, and conduct themselves according to Hashem's will, then they are given control over all of reality.2 excerpts from sichah of Sunday, parashas Vayechi, 10 Teves 5743 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=28-12-2025 לע”נ ר' יצחק ב"ר שמעלקא ע"ה רוס ליום היארצייט שלו ח' טבת. ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.נדבת בנו ר' יעקב לייב שמעלקא שי' רוס

התוכן בשישי דפ' ויגש נאמר שהקב"ה הבטיח ליעקב "אל תירא מרדה מצרימה כי לגוי גדול אשימך שם", ובודאי שהקב"ה מקיים הבטחתו זו גם כשעדיין נמצאים בגלות מצרים, ובקרוב ממש נזכה לקיום היעוד "קהל גדול שובו הנה" – לארצנו הק'. ויש לזרז את כ"ז ע"י נתינת הצדקה של כאו"א. ובנוגע לפועל: להזדרז למסור כסף לצדקה בצירוף פתק עם השם ושם האם ע"מ להזכירם עה"צ, וכ"א יכול לכתוב בו כל מה שרוצה (בלי להתבייש אם מישהו יקרא א"ז), שה"ז באופן שכותב להקב"ה ע"י נשיא דורנו, ועד"ז יעשו בכל מקום שנמצא שם "בית החיים" שנטמן שם גדול בישראל, כידוע שכל "בתי החיים" קשורים זב"ז, ולהוסיף בעשיית "בית חיים" לנשמות בגופים – בתי תורה, בתי תפלה ובתי גמ"ח. ועוד.שיחת יום ד' דפ' ויגש, ו' טבת ה'תשמ"ז ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=26-12-2025 Synopsis Shishi of parashas Vayigash states that Hashem promised Yaakov, “…Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.” Hashem surely fulfills this promise even while we are still in exile in Egypt, and very soon, “A great assembly they will return here,” to our Holy Land, which will be hastened by every individual giving tzedakah. Practically speaking, whoever hasn't yet done so should promptly submit their tzedakah along with a note containing their name and mother's name, to be placed at the Ohel. Since I won't be reading the notes, one can write whatever they wish without being embarrassed; it is like writing to Hashem through the Nasi of our generation. The same should be done anywhere where there is a cemetery (“beis hachayim”) in which there is a tzaddik buried, because all the cemeteries are interconnected etc. And we should increase in creating “batei hachayim” (“houses of life”) for the living, for souls in bodies – houses of Torah, tefillah, and gemilus chassadim etc.Excerpt from sichah of Wednesday, parashas Vayigash, 6 Teves 5747 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=26-12-2025 לזכות ר' ארי'ה בן לאה אורית שי' ליום ההולדת שלו ז' טבת - לשנת ברכה והצלחה, ואריכות ימים ושנים טובותולע"נ ר' יעקב ב"ר שמואל ע"ה ליום היארצייט שלו ז' טבת. ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.

Yosef's declaration, “I am Yosef — and my father is still alive,” was not a question but an expression of astonishment. Realizing that his father had unknowingly mourned him for twenty-two years, Yosef grasped the depth of Yaakov's unrelieved pain — pain that could never be fully comforted because Yosef was, in truth, alive. Understanding that those twenty-two years were now complete, Yosef refused to allow even one more moment of suffering. He immediately sent his brothers to inform Yaakov that his son was alive, teaching a powerful lesson: there are times when distance and restraint are necessary, but once that time ends, love, closeness, and compassion must return instantly. When the period of pain is over, we do not delay — we reunite, we heal, and we begin living and loving again.לקו״ש טו-א

Your Life Comes First--and That's Not Selfish, But Don't Allow Your Grief to Keep You StuckThe text-based class on Likkutei Sichos Vol. 10 Vayigash is a Sicha, an address, presented by the Lubavitcher on Shabbos Parshas Vayigash, 7 Teves, 5725, December 12, 1964. It was given by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Thursday, 5 Teves, 5786, December 25, 2025, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Why is the Bais Hamikdash compared to the neck of the world? Judaism is not about living in your head, but embodiment in your body, animal soul and the world; that is the symbol of the kneck. Why did Yosef cry for his brother Binyamin, and not for himself? Why did Yaakov not cry? Crying can be healing and purging, and it can also be counter-productive. View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9834

A handful of students follow Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman to Radan and find themselves in a quiet side room with the Chafetz Chaim, where a single question reshapes how we think about reward, struggle, and spiritual stature. We unpack the startling reading of Yaakov's rush to see Yosef—why “before I die” carries a deeper fear that their places in the World to Come may not be side by side—and turn it into a playbook for modern life.We share the core idea: reward aligns with the pain you accept for a higher purpose. Yosef's singular tests forged singular standing, and the Chafetz Chaim suggests that the challenges facing the next generation—privacy, speed, constant temptation—can lift them to sections even sages may not reach. That isn't pedestal talk; it's practical guidance. We translate this into daily moves: set clean defaults on your devices, anchor non-negotiable study windows, use micro-resistance reps to build identity, and leverage accountability to turn fleeting inspiration into durable habit. Each small “no” becomes a “yes” to who you are becoming.This conversation aims at clarity and courage, not fear. When the world intensifies temptation, the path to growth actually widens, because the cost of doing right increases and so does the value. If you've felt overwhelmed by the noise, let this story focus your aim: your hardest tests are your highest crowns. Listen, reflect, and choose one practice to strengthen this week. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs resolve today, and leave a review with the one test you plan to face head-on.Support the showJoin The Motivation Congregation WhatsApp community for daily motivational Torah content!---------------- SUBSCRIBE to The Weekly Parsha for an insightful weekly talk on the week's Parsha. Listen on Spotify or 24six! Access all Torah talks and listen to featured episodes on our website, themotivationcongregation.org ----------------Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

Likkutei Sichos Chelek Chof Hey pg 252. Theme: Making it through is even more powerful than being above.This week's Sicha SponsorsThu. Dec. 25, 2025 | Teves 5, 5786SPONSORS:

Why did Yaakov's heart go numb when he heard Yosef was alive? And why did seeing some wagons revive his spirit—more than learning his son ruled all of Egypt?In Parshas Vayigash, discover the hidden meaning behind Yaakov's strange reaction and what it reveals about what truly constitutes "life." Through the Ramchal's profound teaching and an unforgettable story from the Chafetz Chaim, uncover why your smallest spiritual acts in today's challenging world may carry more weight than you ever imagined. This episode will transform how you measure success—and survival.

What is the Jewish response to existential threat? Is political activism, investment in physical security and self protection the Jewish response? Is increased prayer and good deeds enough, to the exclusion of all else?Using the biblical record of Yaakov's response to Esav in his moment of danger, the Purim story, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe's response to the 1954 massacre in Kfar Chabad, we explore when it is a time to grieve, when it is a time to pray, and when it is a time to mobilize to confront the realities of our world.Episode dedicated to the Refuah Sheleima, the complete healing, of Yehudah Leib Ben Manya._____To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.comTo support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

Michael speaks with Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post and author of the new book While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East. Yaakov discusses how the catastrophic intelligence failure leading up to October 7th was rooted in a moment of "lack of imagination" and Israel's fatal commitment to the misbelief that Hamas wanted quiet prosperity, not war. He connects this failure to Israel's dangerous over-reliance on technology. Yaakov also breaks down how Gaza helped elevate the profile of Qatar as a major regional diplomatic power.  

Harav Yehuda Weiner discusses why Yaakov Avinu recited Krias Shema when meeting Yosef, and expounds upon a fascinating machlokes between a Baal Mussar and Reb Chaim Brisker, along with other approaches.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: From Masada's Shadows: Unveiling Ariel's Historic Find Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-12-24-23-34-01-he Story Transcript:He: הרוח נשבה חזק על פסגת מצדה, ועננים כבדים הסתירו את השמיים מעל.En: The wind blew strongly atop Masada, and heavy clouds obscured the sky above.He: אריאל עמד לצד יעקב ונעמי, עמיתים לצוות החפירות הארכאולוגיות, וכולם הסתגלו לרוח הקרה של החורף.En: Ariel stood next to Yaakov and Naomi, colleagues from the archaeological excavation team, and they all were adjusting to the cold winter wind.He: אריאל, צעיר ונלהב, היה חדור מטרה.En: Ariel, young and enthusiastic, was filled with purpose.He: הוא רצה להוכיח את עצמו, לא רק לעצמו, אלא גם למשפחתו, שהייתה ספקנית לגבי הבחירה שלו בקריירה ארכאולוגית.En: He wanted to prove himself, not just to himself, but also to his family, who were skeptical about his choice of an archaeological career.He: "אני חייב למצוא משהו מיוחד כאן," חשב בליבו, בעודו מביט באבנים העתיקות של מצדה, מאותתות לעברו מאי שם בהיסטוריה.En: "I must find something special here," he thought to himself, as he gazed at the ancient stones of Masada, beckoning him from somewhere deep in history.He: בתחילת היום, הצוות קיבל אזהרה שסופת חורף מתקרבת.En: At the beginning of the day, the team received a warning that a winter storm was approaching.He: נאמר להם לשקול את עזיבותם המוקדמת מהאתר.En: They were advised to consider leaving the site early.He: אך אריאל ידע שאין לו זמן לבזבז.En: But Ariel knew he had no time to waste.He: חנוכה עמד להתחיל, ומשפחתו ציפתה לשובו הביתה לחגיגות.En: Hanukkah was about to begin, and his family was expecting him to return home for the celebrations.He: ולמרות זאת, הוא הרגיש את המשיכה של האבנים הישנות, את הסיפור שהן רצו לספר.En: Nevertheless, he felt the pull of the old stones, the story they wanted to tell.He: עם התקדמות היום, הרוח התגברה, והגשם התחיל לטפטף.En: As the day progressed, the wind strengthened, and rain began to drizzle.He: קולות סופת החורף היו חזקים ומאיימים.En: The sounds of the winter storm were loud and intimidating.He: יעקב ונעמי החליטו לעזוב לשעה כדי למצוא מחסה, אבל אריאל נשאר לחפור, נאבק בזמן.En: Yaakov and Naomi decided to leave for an hour to find shelter, but Ariel stayed to dig, racing against time.He: לבסוף, בעוד הסערה השתוללה סביבו, אריאל גילה משהו נדיר.En: Finally, as the storm raged around him, Ariel discovered something rare.He: חפץ עתיק, חבוי עמוק בתוך האדמה.En: An ancient object, buried deep within the earth.He: כשידיו גירדו את הלכלוך המעייף, הופיעה מולו קערת חרס מעוטרת– עדות לאירוע שטרם הובן מימי מצדה הקדומים.En: As his hands scraped away the exhausting dirt, a decorated pottery bowl emerged before him—evidence of an event not yet understood from the ancient days of Masada.He: ליבו של אריאל התפוצץ משמחה וגאווה.En: Ariel's heart burst with joy and pride.He: כשהלילה הגיע והגשם נעצר, התאספו הצוות סביב הגילוי החדש של אריאל.En: When night fell and the rain stopped, the team gathered around Ariel's new discovery.He: כולם ראו בו סימן למאמץ וליכולת שלו.En: Everyone saw it as a testament to his effort and ability.He: באותו רגע, קרא אריאל למשפחתו בשיחת וידאו.En: At that moment, Ariel called his family on a video call.He: הוא סיפר על הגילוי, בזמן שהם הדליקו את הנר האחרון של חנוכה.En: He shared the discovery as they lit the last candle of Hanukkah.He: מסך הטלפון הקרין את אור הנרות המהבהב, ומשפחתו, אף ששמעה על ההישג, הייתה גאה כל כך.En: The phone screen projected the flickering light of the candles, and his family, though already aware of the achievement, was so proud.He: הם הבינו את החשיבות שבחיפוש שלו ונשאבו אל הסיפור שהוא גילה.En: They understood the importance of his quest and were drawn into the story he uncovered.He: בסוף אותו לילה, אריאל עייף אך מרוצה. הוא ישב לבד, בין חורבות התנופה, ובהקפה של השממה המרהיבה.En: At the end of that night, Ariel, tired but satisfied, sat alone among the ruins of the site, surrounded by the breathtaking wilderness.He: הוא הרגיש קשר עמוק יותר לזהותו ולמורשתו.En: He felt a deeper connection to his identity and heritage.He: זה לא היה רק גילוי ארכאולוגי; זה היה גילוי פנימי שסימן את תחילתו של מסע חדש עבורו.En: It wasn't just an archaeological discovery; it was an internal revelation marking the beginning of a new journey for him.He: אריאל ידע שהוא בכיוון הנכון, ושמרגע זה ואילך, הדרך תהיה שלו.En: Ariel knew he was on the right path, and from this moment on, the journey would be his own. Vocabulary Words:obscured: הסתירוcolleagues: עמיתיםadjusting: הסתגלוenthusiastic: נלהבskeptical: ספקניתarchaeological: ארכאולוגיתbeckoning: מאותתותancient: עתיקותapproaching: מתקרבתdrizzle: לטפטףintimidating: מאיימיםshelter: מחסהraged: השתוללהexhausting: המעייףdecorated: מעוטרתevidence: עדותtestament: סימןpurpose: חדור מטרהpride: גאווהbreathtaking: המרהיבהwilderness: שממהflickering: המהבהבinternal: פנימיconnection: קשרheritage: מורשתquest: חיפושrevelation: גילויemerged: הופיעהidentity: זהותוuncovered: גילהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Send us a textYaakov Yaakov the significance of repetition

Dr. Yaakov Weinstein shares with us how the Netziv (Meishiv Davar 1:24) and other prominent poskim addressed a request to prevent the publication of another rabbi's Torah and its implications for intellectual property. We also briefly discussed his Torah from Narnia blog at the end.https://torahfromnarnia.blogspot.com/

התוכן הוראה ממ"ש בתחילת רביעי דפ' ויגש, שיעקב, לאחרי שראה את "העגלות אשר שלח יוסף" ‏–‏ את הסימן "במה היו עוסק כשפירש ממנו – בפרשת עגלה ערופה", אמר "עוד יוסף בני חי": שגם בגלות נמצא כל יהודי במצב של "יוסף בני חי" בתורת חיים ומצוותי' עליהם נאמר "וחי בהם", וכפירוש המגיד בזה שע"י שיהודי מקיים מצוה ה"ה מחי' את המצוה! ובפשטות: אפי' תפילין כשירות שיש בהם שם הוי' כו"כ פעמים, והם בקדושתן גם כשמונחות על השולחן וכו', אי"ז מגיע לקדושת וחיות התפילין כאשר יהודי מקיים בהם בפועל מצות תפילין! וזוהי גם ההוראה ממ"ש בסיום השיעור ש"ויבאו מצרימה יעקב וכל זרעו אתו" התאפשר רק לאחר שיוכבד נולדה "בין החומות": אפי' תינוקת קטנה של בנ"י משלימה את המספר "שבעים נפש" כדי שבנ"י יוכלו להיכנס למצרים, כי ברגע שנולדה יורשת את כל התומ"צ, כולל את הכח להיות "יוסף בני חי" גם במצרים, וכבר בכניסה למצרים דאג הקב"ה שתוולד יוכבד שממנה יצאה בתי כהונה לוי ומלכות ("ויתן להם בתים") בזכות זה ש"ותחיין את הילדים" גם במצרים וכו'. משיחת יום ד' פ' ויגש, מוצאי "זאת חנוכה" ה'תשמ"א ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=24-12-2025 Synopsis The beginning of revi'i of parashas Vayigash states that when Yaakov saw the wagons Yosef had sent (an allusion to the eglah arufah, the subject Yaakov and Yosef had last studied together before Yosef's disappearance), he said, “My son Yosef is still alive.” Even in exile, it is true of every Jew that “Yosef my son is alive,” with the Torah of life and its mitzvos, of which it says, “and you shall live by them”; as the Maggid explains, when a Jew does a mitzvah, he makes the mitzvah come alive. For example, even kosher tefillin, which contain Hashem's Name many times and which are holy even when they are lying on the table etc., do not possess the holiness and vitality that tefillin attain when a Jew actually puts them on and does the mitzvah of tefillin with them. This is also the lesson from the conclusion of this aliyah: Yaakov and all his offspring were only able to come to Egypt after Yocheved was born “between the walls.” Meaning, a baby Jewish girl, simply by being born, completes the count of “seventy souls,” making it possible for the Jewish people to enter Egypt, because the moment she is born, she inherits the entire Torah and its mitzvos, including this power that “Yosef my son is alive” even in Egypt. Already at the moment the Jewish people entered Egypt, Hashem ensured the birth of Yocheved, from whom emerged the houses of the Kohanim, Levi'im, and the kings (“He made houses for them”), in the merit of having “kept the boys alive” in Egypt etc.Excerpt from sichah of Wednesday, parashas Vayigash, Motzaei Zos Chanukah 5741 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=24-12-2025

Yehuda's willingness to risk everything for Binyamin reveals that guaranteeing a Jewish child's future requires total responsibility and self-sacrifice. Yaakov sending Yehuda ahead to establish a yeshiva in Egypt teaches that Torah infrastructure must precede all else. Yosef's well-intentioned compromise shows that lowering Torah standards to make Judaism more palatable leads to unintended consequences. This class, taught by Rabbi Shais Taub, is based on Parshas Vayigash in Likkutei Sichos Vol. 1.

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the concept of "Chaim"(life). What does the Torah teach us when it uses this word? He brings out that truly living is not fulfilling our physical needs but rather when we fulfill our spiritual destiny. He also talks about how the Parsha teaches us the importance of being part of a cause and how it can contribute to its success.  Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com. To listen to Rabbi Kohn's other podcast use this link- the-pirkei-avos-podcast.castos.com/  If you would like to support this podcast please use this secure link to donate: SUPPORT THE PODCAST  Chapters (00:00:00) - The Practical Parasha Podcast(00:00:47) - Parsha(00:04:07) - The Life of Yaakov in the Parsha(00:11:49) - Parsha 4, Part 3(00:16:01) - When Yosef returned to his father,

Rabbi Menashe Reizman shared a beautiful idea from the Or HaChaim that we can take with us as the days of Chanukah come to an end. One of the central components of lighting the Nerot Chanukah is pirsumei nisa—publicizing the miracle. But this raises a question. The miracle that the oil lasted for eight days is common knowledge among Jews. Why, then, is there such an emphasis on publicizing it? Usually, the need to publicize something is when the message is not yet well known. The Ramban, at the end of Parashat Bo, explains that when Hashem performs open miracles, the purpose is not only the miracle itself, but what we are meant to learn from it. We are meant to internalize that just as Hashem performs revealed miracles, He is equally behind all the hidden miracles that take place every second of our lives. That is the true message we are meant to publicize. Not merely that oil burned for eight days, but that Hashem is behind everything that happens in this world, at every moment. In this week's Parashah, Vayigash, when Yaakov Avinu hears that Yosef is still alive, the pasuk says וַיָּפָג לִבּוֹ כִּי לֹא הֶאֱמִין - that his heart did not believe them. Rashi explains that although Yaakov physically heard the words, his heart was not yet ready to internalize the reality. This happens to us very often. With our mouths, we say that we believe Hashem is in charge of everything that happens in the world. But when we look honestly at the way we live, it becomes clear that our hearts have not fully internalized that belief. If we truly believed that only Hashem runs everything, why do we get so angry when things don't go our way? Why do we become upset at people when they hurt us? Why don't we invest more effort into tefillah? Why are we late to tefillah? If Hashem is the only One in control, then He is the only One we need to impress. If HaKadosh Baruch Hu alone decides our parnassah, then why do we feel pressured to run out of davening for a business meeting? The Nerot Chanukah are there to remind us that Hashem's presence fills every detail of life. Hashem decided that a small amount of oil would burn for eight days. Oil does not burn on its own—it burns only because Hashem wills it to burn. He also made a small group of Jews defeat the mighty Greek army. The Greeks wanted us to believe that the world runs on autopilot, that everything happens naturally. Unfortunately, this belief still exists today. People see weather patterns and global warming, but they don't see Hashem behind every raindrop, every gust of wind, and every change in temperature. When someone loses a business deal, he sees the person who took it away, not Hashem. When someone gains a good opportunity, he credits the person who gave it, not Hashem. We must know with absolute clarity that no human being has any power to help or harm us. No one can use their free will to affect our lives unless Hashem decrees it. But because we are constantly involved in hishtadlut—searching for the best doctor, the best shadchan, the best deal—we easily become absorbed in the effort itself. We begin to believe that success comes from our actions or from the people we rely on, and we forget Who is truly running everything. The message of the Nerot Chanukah is that Hashem alone is behind it all. Someone who has not yet married off his children may still believe that shidduchim depend on shadchanim and networking. But someone who has already married off his children knows with absolute clarity and without the slightest doubt that HaKadosh Baruch Hu alone does everything. There are people who send their children to one yeshivah instead of another out of fear that it might, quote-unquote, "damage shidduchim." But what does that really mean? Hashem brings the shidduch, and He would never want us to do something that is not truly beneficial for our child. One of the clearest indicators of whether we truly believe in Hashem's control is the way we engage in hishtadlut. May we be zocheh to take the light of the Nerot Chanukah with us throughout the year—to move our emunah from our lips into our hearts—and to live with a deep, internalized belief in Hashem's absolute control over everything that happens.

Text Based

Text Based

Text Based

Yaakov's insistence to be carried out of mitzraim.

Yaakov's insistence to be carried out of mitzraim.

Send us a textBe like the oil

Who carries our collective memory when others forget? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Vayigash through the remarkable midrashic figure of Serach bat Asher. They trace how Serach becomes a guardian of memory—gently revealing Yosef's survival to Yaakov, preserving sacred knowledge across generations, and reminding leaders of what must not be forgotten.

4 potential explanations for the way Yosef treated his brothers and father, and a question regarding the distinction between the incident of Yaakov and Rachel vs brothers and Benyamin

In this Parsha Review episode on Parshas Vayeishev, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the story of Yosef as a paradigm of divine guidance amid human challenges. Yosef, described as an "Ish Matzliach" (successful man) whose every endeavor prospered because "Hashem was with him," rose from slave to overseer in Potiphar's house—yet when entrusted with everything except "the bread he ate," the Torah abruptly notes Yosef's handsome appearance. Rashi explains Yosef began beautifying himself out of pride in his sudden success, forgetting his father Yaakov's mourning; Hashem responded with the ultimate test—Potiphar's wife's seduction—to realign his priorities.Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that all events, even painful ones from people, are Hashem's precise "midah k'neged midah" (measure for measure) messages for growth, not random cruelty. Wicked messengers like Nebuchadnezzar (called "My servant") or historical evils fulfill decrees but are punished for volunteering malice. Prayer, teshuva, and mitzvot allow us to change decrees before they fully manifest, as Yosef did by resisting temptation and earning the title "Yosef HaTzaddik."True greatness invites profound challenges—the deeper the pit (literally for Yosef), the higher the ascent. Spiritual growth isn't steady but full of ups and downs; success follows the greatest struggles, mirroring a living heartbeat rather than a flatline. As long as we're "above the grass," we can embrace challenges, repent, and rise._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on December 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 19, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Genesis, #Joseph, #Challenges, #prayer, #repentance, #divineguidance, #growth ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Parsha Review episode on Parshas Vayeishev, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the story of Yosef as a paradigm of divine guidance amid human challenges. Yosef, described as an "Ish Matzliach" (successful man) whose every endeavor prospered because "Hashem was with him," rose from slave to overseer in Potiphar's house—yet when entrusted with everything except "the bread he ate," the Torah abruptly notes Yosef's handsome appearance. Rashi explains Yosef began beautifying himself out of pride in his sudden success, forgetting his father Yaakov's mourning; Hashem responded with the ultimate test—Potiphar's wife's seduction—to realign his priorities.Rabbi Wolbe emphasizes that all events, even painful ones from people, are Hashem's precise "midah k'neged midah" (measure for measure) messages for growth, not random cruelty. Wicked messengers like Nebuchadnezzar (called "My servant") or historical evils fulfill decrees but are punished for volunteering malice. Prayer, teshuva, and mitzvot allow us to change decrees before they fully manifest, as Yosef did by resisting temptation and earning the title "Yosef HaTzaddik."True greatness invites profound challenges—the deeper the pit (literally for Yosef), the higher the ascent. Spiritual growth isn't steady but full of ups and downs; success follows the greatest struggles, mirroring a living heartbeat rather than a flatline. As long as we're "above the grass," we can embrace challenges, repent, and rise._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on December 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 19, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Genesis, #Joseph, #Challenges, #prayer, #repentance, #divineguidance, #growth ★ Support this podcast ★

In Parashat Vayera, the angels told Lot, מַשְׁחִיתִים אֲנַחְנוּ אֶת הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה — "We are going to destroy this city." And then in the very same pasuk they said, וַיְשַׁלְּחֵנוּ ה' לְשַׁחֲתָהּ — "Hashem sent us to destroy it." At first glance it sounds repetitive. Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the angels initially made a serious mistake. They were supposed to say that Hashem was destroying the city, but instead they said they were going to do it. They were taking credit for something that was not theirs. Immediately afterward, they corrected themselves and said that Hashem was doing it, not them. Rabbeinu Bachya adds that these angels were punished for this error. They did not receive another assignment from Hashem for 138 years, until they descended on the ladder in Yaakov's dream to escort him. Rabbeinu Bachya concludes: from here we see how severe it is for a person to take the honor that rightfully belongs to Hashem and use it for himself. The world was created to bring glory to Hashem, and it is incumbent upon us to do whatever we can to increase His honor. Whenever we accomplish something and later tell people about it, that moment becomes a tremendous opportunity to bring kavod to Hashem. We can tell them the truth — that it was Hashem who accomplished it. But if instead we say that we did it, not only are we saying something false, we are stealing Hashem's honor and using it for ourselves. How many times do people make this mistake without even realizing it? When someone says, "I negotiated a great deal," he is stealing Hashem's honor. When someone says, "My dieting and discipline improved my health," he is stealing Hashem's honor. When someone says, "I recovered because of the treatment that I chose," he is stealing Hashem's honor. When someone says, "The project succeeded because of my strategies," he is stealing Hashem's honor. Even with Torah knowledge, we are not allowed to attribute success to ourselves. When Moshe Rabbeinu told the people about the new judicial system, he said that the difficult cases could be brought to him and he would give the rulings. Because he said that, and implied that the answers came from him, Hashem took away his knowledge when he was asked the question of the daughters of Tzelofhad regarding their father's inheritance. Moshe was meant to say, "Bring me the difficult cases and Hashem will answer them." This is something we must keep in mind always. Our purpose in this world is to bring glory to our King. Every time it appears that we accomplished something and then speak about it afterward, we are standing at a crossroads. We can give credit where credit is truly due and elevate Hashem's name in people's eyes, or we can elevate our own name and diminish His glory. In this week's Parashat Miketz, Pharaoh was disturbed by his dreams, and none of his advisors were able to help him. Finally, the Sar HaMashkim remembered Yosef and told Pharaoh about him. Suddenly, Yosef was rushed out of prison and found himself standing before the king of the most powerful nation in the world. This was his chance to impress the king, his chance for honor and glory, and his opportunity to finally escape prison. Pharaoh said to him, "I heard that you know how to interpret dreams." Yosef, at that very moment, seized the golden opportunity to bring glory to Hashem instead of himself. He replied, בִּלְעָדָי, אֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶה אֶת שְׁלוֹם פַּרְעֹה — "It is not from me; Hashem will answer the welfare of Pharaoh." "It is not I. Hashem interprets dreams." With complete heroism, Yosef refused to take any credit for himself and gave it all to Hashem. And in the end, Hashem rewarded him with an honor greater than anything he could have imagined, elevating him to become the viceroy of Egypt. Our mission in this world is to bring glory and honor to our King. And we are given opportunities to do so all day long.

Parashat Miketz begins with the famous story of Yosef being brought from the Egyptian prison to interpret Pharaoh's unusual dreams. Yosef informed Pharoh that his visions of seven lean cows devouring seven large cows, and seven lean sheaves devouring seven large sheaves, foretold a seven-year period of agricultural surplus that would be immediately followed by seven years of harsh famine. After explaining the meaning of Pharaoh's dreams, Yosef proceeded to urge the king to appoint somebody to oversee the storage of grain during the next seven years to prepare for the drought years which would follow. Pharaoh promptly assigned Yosef to this role. Yosef adds a curious phrase in his remarks to Pharaoh, one which is often overlooked. In urging the king to set up a mechanism for the storage of grain, Yosef says, "Ya'aseh Pharaoh Ve'yafked Pekidim Al Ha'aretz" – "Pharaoh shall act and appoint officers over the land" (41:34). Yosef does not just advise Pharaoh to appoint officials – he says, "Ya'aseh Pharaoh," that "Pharaoh shall act." What is meant by these words? Why did Yosef emphasize that Pharaoh should "act"? Some suggest that Yosef here expressed a fundamental principle of leadership and education – the importance of setting a personal example. Yosef anticipated that there would be opposition among the Egyptian population to his plan to store large amounts of grain. During years of economic prosperity, few people have the foresight to consider the possibility of a shortage down the road. It would be hard for the Egyptians to envision a devastating famine while they were busy harvesting unprecedentedly large amounts of produce. They would not be so quick to put the surplus grain into storage to prepare for something that the government claimed would happen years later. They would need some convincing. This is why Yosef said, "Ya'aseh Pharaoh." The best way for Pharoah to convince the people to store grain was for him to set an example. Before he could appoint officials to enforce a policy of storage, he would have to "act" – he would need to show the people that he, too, was storing his surplus, that he was not overindulging during the years of prosperity. This was critical for the success of this plan. We might add that Yosef learned this concept from his father, Yaakob. At the end of Parashat Vayeseh, we read that Yaakov made a pact with his father-in-law, Laban, and as a formal symbol of their agreement they made a special pile of stones. The Torah tells that Yaakob turned to his sons and instructed them to collect stones to make this large pile ("Liktu Abanim" – 31:46). Despite the grueling labor involved, his sons immediately obeyed, without any protest. The likely reason is because in the preceding verse, we read that Yaakob himself lifted a large stone and erected it as a monument. Before asking his sons to participate in this process, Yaakob first acted himself. He first set an example for his children, and they were then far more receptive to his request that they join. Parents, educators, and anyone looking to have an impact must realize this truism about influence. A person is not likely to inspire others by sitting comfortably and trying to convince them to act. If we want to influence and inspire, we need to act, to set an example, to model the behavior. It is only if our words are accompanied by a personal example that we can hope for them to have an impact.

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The Torah reading this week begins the story of Yosef, or Joseph, favored son of Yaakov. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at parsha “Vayeshev,” Genesis chapters 37 through 40, where the story begins, and builds on dreams. The Erev Shabbat reading: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SSM-12-12-25-Vayeshev-teaching-podcast-xx.mp3 While this parsha contains a number of ‘nuggets’, or memorable elements, images, and component lessons, the midrash suggests that even the structure of the story is all about a ‘long-term’ plan of YHVH. This reading itself is only just the beginning of a series of what might be called “cliff-hangers,” where we see, as do Yosef and his brothers, that structure being put in place for what is to come. In any number of ways… Vayeshev: ‘Two Dreams, Two Witnesses – Who can BUT Prophesy’ https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WT-CooH-12-13-25-Vayeshev-Two-Dreams-Two-witnesses-Who-can-BUT-prophesy-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

In this week's shiur, we explore one of the most electrifying themes in Torah: the power of yearning.From Yaakov Avinu's inability to be comforted over Yosef, to Rebbe Nachman's legendary teaching of “Never give up hope,” we uncover the spiritual DNA inside every Jew — the part of us that's still a na'ar, still searching, still asking, still alive.Yosef HaTzaddik is called a “na'ar” because he tapped into that inner childlike curiosity — the part of us that refuses to settle, that refuses to stop seeking Hashem. Deep down, Yaakov knew Yosef was alive, because deep down we all know: 

This episode discusses what led the Shevatim to do what they did.

Yosef was one his way to talk to his brothers in an altogether different tone, but they never gave him a chance. Yaakov was going to by colored coats for the other brothers too, but the bloody coat killed THAT plan!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

Yaakov's example teaches us how to elevate the sparks of the physical world. The story of Potifar's wife reveals the deeper reality behind spiritual challenges. The Chanukah story reminds us of the power of educating children with zero compromises right from the very beginning. This class, taught by Rabbi Shais Taub, is based on Parshas Vayeishev in Likkutei Sichos Vol. 1.