WHY SHIMON AND LEVI USED SUBTERFUGE

Curiously, Yaakov describes their assault on the city as, “they killed a man,” but that is because all the people of Sh’chem were considered to them as just one man. The odds were actually stacked in their favor: they were two against “a (single) man.” They were not at all fearful of the people of Sh’chem, and so Shimon and Levi did not have to employ such tactics, meting justice upon Sh’chem in a manner that desecrated G-d’s name

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OUR EYES ON THE GOAL

When Jacob returned home, after a hiatus of 22 years, he travelled with a large entourage of family members, servants and livestock. As they approached the end of their journey, Jacob was told that Esau was coming with 400 armed men to confront him.

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EVEN DIMINUTIVE DEEDS BRING THE REDEMPTION

It is possible that a minor action done by a little child should be the final “blow of the hammer” that will bring about the redemption! * At first glance though, how could we be hopeful that another small addition in Torah and Mitzvos will change anything? The Jewish people have been awaiting the coming of Moshiach for thousands of years, and throughout all the generations they have already done a huge quantity of Torah and Mitzvos!

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DON’T LOSE YOUR STAFF!

Yaakov has been away from home for 20 years, living and contending with his uncle Lavan. Yaakov has had a very challenging life and now realizes that he will have to contend with yet another, perhaps even more formidable challenge: his brother Eisav.

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WHAT’S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CHASSIDUS AND MOSHIACH?

This Shabbos (VaYishlach) is the Shabbos before Yud Tes Kislev – the Rosh HaShana of Chassidus. On this auspicious day we wish each other (see HaYom Yom of 18 Kislev) “Gut Yom Tov, L’shana tova b’limud ha’chassidus v’darkei ha’chassidus teichaseivu v’seichaseimu – Good Yom Tov, may you be written and sealed for a good year in learning Chassidus and the ways of Chassidus.”

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THE WORLD OF OTHERNESS

Yaakov returned from a 22 year sojourn with his uncle Lavan with a huge entourage that included his wives, children, servants, flocks of sheep, cattle and camels etc. Yaakov discovers that his brother Eisav, who pledged to kill him, was approaching with 400 armed men.

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TRANQUILITY: AN ACCURATE BAROMETER OF BITACHON

One of the fundamental characteristics of Bitachon in Hashem is the absence of fear. If you truly have Bitachon you are completely serene. One who fears what the future of this world holds for him is clearly not relying on Hashem. Bitachon means that he is sure and confident that Hashem will make the situation good for him. And if he is truly certain of that, he will not fear any future occurrences. This message is featured in the beginning of this week’s parsha

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HAKHEL NOTES

This Shabbos we read Parshas VaYishlach. The word VaYishlach means that “Yaakov sent on a mission.” This Parsha comes directly after Parshas “VaYeitzei” which means that Yaakov himself was sent on a mission to Charan. At this point however, not only is he on a mission, he is encouraging others to join him on his special mission. This leads to “VaYeishev,” which means settled, that when all Jews realize that they are on a mission from Hashem and fulfill that mission, we will merit to be settled in Eretz HaKodesh with Moshiach.

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MOSHIACH FOR DUMMIES AND BEYOND

One of the questions the soul is asked in the next world, the Talmud states, is: “Have you eagerly awaited salvation?” The obvious concern for many Jews today is, how does one who does not feel that sense of yearning and desire for Moshiach develop these feelings?

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EVEN DIMINUTIVE DEEDS BRING THE REDEMPTION

It is possible that a minor action done by a little child should be the final “blow of the hammer” that will bring about the redemption! * At first glance though, how could we be hopeful that another small addition in Torah and Mitzvos will change anything? The Jewish people have been awaiting the coming of Moshiach for thousands of years, and throughout all the generations they have already done a huge quantity of Torah and Mitzvos!

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THE THREE INSTRUMENTS OF PERFECTION

Although Jacob certainly preferred to work things out with his brother, as he eventually did by way of his elaborate gift, Jacob had to be fully prepared at the outset to fight. If Esau would have detected Jacob’s reticence and vulnerability in the face of war, he would have taken advantage of it and attacked him.

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