Author Topic: Video Study for Parsha Vayishlach (Read 4934 times)

muman613 · « **on:** November 29, 2012, 01:24:50 AM »

Shalom my good JTF friends,

We are quickly approaching the Sabbath and I think it is time to start studying the deeper meanings of the Torah text. This week we are reading Parasha Vayishlach which contains the story of the confrontation between the twins Yaakov and Essau. At this stage Essau is pursuing Yaakov with the intention of killing him due to his hatred of his brother because of the incident of the Blessing of the First-born (which we read last week).

Famously Yaakov prepared for this confrontation by doing three things. First he makes preparations for war, then he prays, then he sends gifts. We learn from this that when faced with a confrontation we should attempt all methods to avoid the war unless it is unavoidable, then we wage full-out war. In this case Essau was appeased by the gifts, and Hashem answered his prayer, because when Essau finally arrives with his army, he just hugs Yaakov firmly and kisses him.

The other important event we read is the meeting of Yaakov and the angel (said to be the angel of Essau) where Yaakov and the angel wrestle from nightfall to the morning when the angel must leave (because we learn that angels must sing Shira (songs) every morning). It is after this struggle that the angel gives Yaakov the name Israel which can be translated as "He who prevailed over the divine".

Sadly Rachel dies while traveling on the road and is buried in Beth El... The firstborn son Rueben loses the birthright due to his interference with his fathers marital life (when he moved the bed from his fathers concubine to his mothers tent).

Here is the Parasha in a nutshell from Chabads website...

http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3197/jewish/Vayishlach-in-a-Nutshell.htm

Quote

Parasha in a Nutshell
Jacob returns to the Holy Land after a 20-year stay in Charan, and sends angel-emissaries to Esau in hope of a reconciliation, but his messengers report that his brother is on the warpath with 400 armed men. Jacob prepares for war, prays, and sends Esau a large gift (consisting of hundreds of heads of livestock) to appease him.

That night, Jacob ferries his family and possessions across the Jabbok River; he, however, remains behind and encounters the angel that embodies the spirit of Esau, with whom he wrestles until daybreak. Jacob suffers a dislocated hip but vanquishes the supernal creature, who bestows on him the name Israel, which means “he who prevails over the divine.”

Jacob and Esau meet, embrace and kiss, but part ways. Jacob purchases a plot of land near Shechem, whose crown prince—also called Shechem—abducts and rapes Jacob’s daughter Dinah. Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi avenge the deed by killing all male inhabitants of the city, after rendering them vulnerable by convincing them to circumcise themselves.

Jacob journeys on. Rachel dies while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin, and is buried in a roadside grave near Bethlehem. Reuben loses the birthright because he interferes with his father’s marital life. Jacob arrives in Hebron, to his father Isaac, who later dies at age 180. (Rebecca has passed away before Jacob’s arrival.)

Our Parshah concludes with a detailed account of Esau’s wives, children and grandchildren; the family histories of the people of Seir, among whom Esau settled; and a list of the eight kings who ruled Edom, the land of Esau’s and Seir’s descendants.

Rabbi Shafier gives some sage wisdom:

muman613 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2012, 01:38:01 AM »

Rabbi Yaakov Nagin on the Parasha:

muman613 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2012, 01:38:53 AM »

Rabbi Svirsky talks about the parahsa..

muman613 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2012, 01:49:12 AM »

Rabbi Weisblum...

muman613 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:03:34 AM »

And now let's listen to Rabbi Odze...

muman613 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:13:41 AM »

The latest Dvar Torah from the great Rabbi Richman, of the Temple Institute...

muman613 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:24:45 AM »

Learn the Halachas learned from parasha Vayishlach.

muman613 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:34:10 AM »

Rabbi Yehuda Moses on TorahAnytime.com in LA...

muman613 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:52:25 AM »

This ought to be interesting, here is a video of Chaim doing a Dvar Torah on this weeks Parasha...

muman613 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2012, 03:09:28 AM »

The mystical maven Rabbi Chaim Miller...

muman613 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2012, 03:21:57 AM »

I just love studying Torah late at night... Nothing like learning...

Here is Rabbi Richman talking about the incident with Schem.

muman613 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2012, 03:37:55 AM »

Now for Rabbi Herschel Finmans very short (3m56s) idea on the parasha..

And Rabbi Trugmans very long (1h15m) talk on the parasha...

muman613 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2012, 03:43:00 AM »

Rabbi Finkelstein...

muman613 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2012, 05:53:02 PM »

http://www.torah.org/learning/dvartorah/5773/vayishlach.html

Our Stronger Than Iron Dome

And Yaakov sent angels in front of him to Eisav his brother to the land of Seir to the field of Edom. And he commanded them saying; "So you shall say to my master to Eisav; So says Yaakov your servant; “I have lived with Lavan and tarried till now and I have oxen and donkeys and sheep and servants and maid servants and I am sending to my master to find grace in your eyes…” (Breishis 32:3-5)

And Yaakov sent angels: Real angels! (Rashi)

I have lived with Lavan: I lived (garti) is the numerical value of Taryag-613; as if to say I have lived with Lavan and I have still kept 613 Mitzvos and I did not learn from his wicked ways! (Rashi)

How did Yaakov get actual angels to act on his behalf? How was this group of angels particularly useful in defending Yaakov from the brutality of Eisav’s approaching army? What do we learn from the fact that Yaakov was able to direct authentic angels for his protection? Is this not only an indicator of Yaakov’s lofty spiritual stature?

The Nefesh HaChaim writes; “Every Jewish person should not say in his heart, heaven forfend, ‘what am I and what impact do my lowly deeds have in the world?’ Rather, he should understand that every minute detail of his actions, and his speech, and his thoughts, each and every moment is not lost! How powerful are his actions and very great and lofty too, for everyone according to the root of his soul, to impact and effect in the highest of heights, and the purest of lights. In truth, a man who is wise and understands this clearly, his heart will tremble within him a great shuddering when he considers his actions that are not good and how far they reach to destroy and ruin with even a slight misstep…”

Everyone has power to release angels, extraordinarily productive and destructive too! The Sefas Emes says that these are the angels sent by Yaakov, and that according to the Zohar there are angels created from both the Yetzer Hora and the Yetzer Tov! He states that the angels generated from the Yetzer Hora can have more protective powers than those created from the Yetzer Tov! How does that work?

It is written in Pirke Avos (2:4), “Make His will your will in order that He will make your will his will!” How do you get what you want, so to speak? Do what HASHEM - your supernal Partner wants as if it is your will and He will look to fulfill your will!” Fine! Now comes the second part which has direct relevance to our discussion: “Nullify your will for His will so that He will nullify the will others the will of others for the sake of your will!”

Fascinating! The first part is about “positive Mitzvos”- doing deeds! The second is talking about “negative Mitzvos”- refraining from doing! Doing brings the goodness we seek while “holding back” provides protection from frightening external foes! By resisting temptation, one creates a real super shield of protection for himself and others too.

The Sefas Emes emphasizes that these angels that Yaakov sent to Eisev were created during the time he resided by Lavan. It is no mistake that he signals to Eisav that he lived with Lavan and he fulfilled the Taryag- 613 Mitzvos, not only the 248 “to do” Mitzvos but the 365 “don’t do” Mitzvos as well and that he remained unaffected by Lavan! This was not only Yaakov’s silent strategy for his survival but it is in fact our most secret of weapons today and is our stronger than iron dome.

muman613 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2012, 12:29:56 AM »

Rabbi Ginsburg with some mystical insights to the parasha.

muman613 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2012, 12:46:34 AM »

Some clips of the Torah shuirs (talks) from Naaleh.com.

For the full videos you need to sign up (free) with Naaleh.

muman613 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2012, 01:07:14 AM »

I want to watch both of those complete shuirs but I may have to see them after Shabbat ends....

Here is a short one from Rabbi Herschel Finman...

muman613 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2012, 01:15:58 AM »

muman613 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2012, 01:25:35 AM »

A new short talk from Rabbi Shafier...

muman613 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2012, 01:33:58 AM »

More halachas from the parasha..

muman613 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2012, 01:47:21 AM »

Rabbi Jacobson gives a long 1h20m talk about lonliness, an aspect which is important in the struggle which Jacob had with the angel.

muman613 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 02, 2012, 10:05:59 PM »

Rabbi Machlis on the AWESOME Haftarah we read on Shabbat...

The Haftarah is a prophecy about the end-of-days when Hashem will smash Esau's descendants in retribution for what they have done to Hashems Chosen nation. These wicked men will tremble before the L-rd and they will be uprooted, them and their children, for they have invoked the wrath of Hashem, and retribution is his.

Obadiah

Chapter 1
1. The vision of Obadiah; So said the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard tidings from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations, "Arise and let us rise up against them in war!"
2. Behold I have made you small among the nations; you are very despised.
3. The wickedness of your heart enticed you, who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high, who says to himself, "Who will bring me down to the earth?"
4. If you go up high like an eagle, and if you place your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, says the Lord.
5. Did thieves come upon you, did plunderers of the night? How were you silent? Will they not steal till they have enough? If vintagers came upon you, would they not leave over some gleaning grapes?
6. How Esau was searched out, how his hidden things were revealed!
7. Until the border all your allies escorted you; your friends enticed you, yea prevailed against you; your food they lay as a wound under you; there is no discernment in them.
8. Shall I not in that day-says the Lord-destroy wise men from Edom and discernment from the mountain of Esau?
9. And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O dwellers of the southland, in order that every man be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
10. Because of the violence of your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.
11. On that day you stood from afar, on the day strangers captured his possessions, and foreigners came into his cities, and on Jerusalem they cast lots; you, too, are like one of them.
12. And you should not have looked on the day of your brother on the day of his being delivered, and you should not have rejoiced about the children of Judah on the day of their destruction, and you should not have spoken proudly on the day of distress.
13. You should not have come into the gate of My people on the day of their misfortune; you too should not have looked at their affliction on the day of their misfortune, and you should not have stretched out [your hand] upon their possessions on the day of their misfortune.
14. And you should not have stood by the gap to cut off their fugitives, neither should you have delivered their survivors on the day of distress.
15. For the day of the Lord over all the nations is close; as you have done shall be done to you; your recompense shall be returned upon your head.
16. For, as you drank on My Holy Mount, shall all the nations drink constantly, and they shall drink and be stunned, and they shall be as though they were not.
17. And on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall inherit those who inherited them.
18. And the house of Jacob shall be fire and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau shall become stubble, and they shall ignite them and consume them, and the house of Esau shall have no survivors, for the Lord has spoken.
19. And [the inhabitants of] the southland shall inherit the mountain of Esau, and [the inhabitants of] the plain, the Philistines, and they shall inherit the field of Ephraim and the field of Samaria, and Benjamin [with the inhabitants of] Gilead.
20. And this exiled host of the children of Israel who are [with] the Canaanites as far as Zarephath and the exile of Jerusalem which is in Sepharad shall inherit the cities of the southland.
21. And saviors shall ascend Mt. Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and the Lord shall have the kingdom.

muman613 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 02, 2012, 10:32:36 PM »

Rabbi Machlis again talks about Obadiah, but a more biographical nature... I did not realize Obadiah, the prophet, was a convert. This is interesting...