Toldot

Revealing the Hidden Holy Spark· Essay 1

אא”ז מו”ר זצלל”ה הגיד בענין הבארות שהם להסיר החיצוניות והסתר למצוא הנקודה. The Chidushei Harim explained the idea of the weeks that Yitzchak redug, is the idea of removing the externalities that cover up the internal point…

Elevating physicality to its hidden taste· Essay 2

And the aspect of the matamim (the delicacies, the tasty dish) is likewise to draw the matters of this world close to Hashem; and that which is more distant gives even greater satisfaction when it ascends to Hashem. Yitzchak's request for m…

The circuit of bounty and constant renewal· Essay 3

In Rashi: "And He shall give you (v'yiten lecha)" (Bereishis 27:28) — He shall give, and give again. Rashi reads the extra letter vav as implying repeated, renewed giving — Hashem gives, and then gives once more. And [the meaning] is not un…

Toldot 3 תרל"א

ברש”י ז”ל ויתן לך יתן ויחזור ויתן. ואין מובן. Yitzchak’s blessing to Yaakov starts with the words ‘And He shall give you’ Rashi explains that this means HaShem should give you and then give you again. What is the meaning of this…

Toldot 2 תרל"א

Continued from above ובחי’ המטעמים הוא ג”כ לקרב עניני עוה”ז להש”י ומה שהוא יותר מרוחק יותר נייחא לעלות להש”י. We find a similar idea of the ‘Tasty dishes’ that Yitzchak asked Eisav to make for him. This was als…

Digging wells to find the hidden inner light· Essay 1

My grandfather, my teacher and master, of blessed memory, said regarding the matter of the wells [that Yitzchak dug]: to dig in order to find the hidden illumination that is concealed within physicality and externality. Citing the Chiddushe…

The inner Avraham-point in every Jew· Essay 2

Also the ten tests with which Avraham Avinu was tested were likewise only for the sake of Bnei Yisrael throughout the generations. The Sefas Emes teaches that Avraham's ten nisyonos were not for his own sake alone, but were endured on behal…

Surrendering one's will to Hashem· Essay 3

In the Midrash: there are certain limbs that are in a person's own control, and if a person merits, even they are no longer in his own control but in the control of Hashem — as we find with Yitzchak, that even though he erred and intended t…

Finding the holy point from afar· Essay 4

It also appears that surely Yitzchak's blessing to Eisav was of such a nature that, even though Eisav was distant from holiness, he could nonetheless find an illumination of holiness. Yitzchak intended a specific kind of blessing for Eisav:…

Toldot תרל"ב

אא”ז מורז”ל הגיד ענין הבארות לחפור למצוא הארה הגנוזה הנסתרת בגשמיות וחיצוניות. ורחובות היא בשבת כו’. The Chidushei Harim explained the idea of the wells that Yitzchak dug. These were to find the hidden light that is in phy…

Digging wells to uncover hidden light· Essay 1

My grandfather, my teacher and master z"l, said regarding the wells that our forefathers dug: that they were removing the outer shell in order to find the hidden light (hara'ah ha'genuzah). The Sefas Emes opens with his grandfather's teachi…

Truth conquers a world of falsehood· Essay 2

The matter of Yaakov, who took the brachos through cunning, and this was good in the eyes of Hashem — from this we learn that in order to attain the truth truly, one is permitted to act by way of cleverness. Yaakov's "deception" in taking t…

Surrendering all faculties to Hashem's will· Essay 3

In the Midrash: there are limbs that are within a person's control — the hands and feet — and there are the eye, nose, and ear, which are not within his control; and if a person merits, everything is not within his control. The Midrash dist…

Yaakov's blessing arranged by Hashem· Essay 4

The reason Yaakov's blessing had to come about against Yitzchak's conscious wish. The Sefas Emes asks why it had to be that Yaakov received the blessings in a way Yitzchak did not intend — by appearing to him as Eisav. There must be a deepe…

Toldot תרל"ג

תרל”ג אא”ז מו”ר ז”ל הגיד בענין הבארות שחפרו אבותינו להסיר החיצוניות למצוא הארה הגנוזה. שבכל מקום יש נקודה פנימיות. ורחובות הוא בחי’ שבת קודש. שבימות החול עשק ושטנה כו’. ובימי המעשה זה עצמו הבאר מה שמבטלין…

Yirah born from ahavah is true· Essay 1

"These are the generations of Yitzchak, son of Avraham; Avraham fathered Yitzchak." The Sefas Emes begins from the verse's seeming repetition — Yitzchak son of Avraham, and Avraham fathered Yitzchak — which invites deeper interpretation. Ev…

Uncovering the hidden well within· Essay 2

And it is written, "And all the wells... the Pelishtim stopped up... and Yitzchak returned and dug..." (Bereishis 26:15-18). The Sefas Emes turns to the account of the wells that Avraham's servants had dug, which the Pelishtim filled in, an…

Humility as the key to mastering Esav· Essay 3

"And one people shall be stronger than the other people" (Bereishis 25:23). The Sefas Emes opens with the prophecy to Rivkah about the two nations, Yaakov and Esav, struggling within her. The meaning is that the strengthening of each people…

Receiving blessing while bound to the Giver· Essay 4

"And may He give you" — Rashi explains: may He give, and give again. On Yitzchak's blessing "vayitein lecha" (Bereishis 27:28), Rashi notes the unusual "vav" prefix and reads it as a promise of continual giving — Hashem should give, and the…

Toldot תרל"ד

תרל”ד ב”ה תולדות יצחק בן אברהם אברהם הוליד את יצחק. כל מעשה אבות סי’ לבנים כי לא עשה שום מעשה שלא יהי’ לטובת כל בנ”י לדורות. ואיתא בספרים כי יראה הבא מכח אהבה היא יראה של אמת. וז”ש יצחק בן אברהם וכ’…

Wells and mitzvos reveal the inner point· Essay 1

In the Zohar HaKadosh, regarding the matter of the wells (be'eros), [and the verse] "And Hashem will guide you continually (tamid)…" The Sefas Emes opens by connecting the Zohar's treatment of Yitzchak's wells to the verse promising Hashem'…

The tzaddik who uses falsehood without clinging to it· Essay 2

Chazal expounded the verse "Save my soul from a lip of falsehood" (Tehillim 120:2) as referring to Yaakov our father, peace be upon him, at the moment when he was forced to say "I am Esav your firstborn" (Bereishis 27:19). When Yaakov took …

Toldot תרל"ה

בזוה”ק על ענין הבארות ונחך ה’ תמיד כו’. ושיכולין עתה לתקן במצות ציצית ותפילין ג”כ זה. דהנה בכל דבר יש נקודה פנימיות ונק’ תמיד. וע”ז נא’ מחדש בכ”י תמיד מ”ב. ונק’ מנוחה כי שם שורש הכ…

Each tzaddik digs his own path· Essay 1

"And all the wells which his father's servants had dug… the Pelishtim stopped them up… and Yitzchak returned and dug again…" The Torah recounts that the wells dug in Avraham's time were filled in, and Yitzchak had to dig them anew — a hint …

Cleaving to the tzaddik spreads his wellsprings· Essay 2

That which is written, "which the servants of his father had dug" (Bereishis 26:15), is as it is written: "the nobles of the people dug it (karuha nedivei am)" (Bamidbar 21:18), etc. The Sefas Emes links the wells dug by Avraham's servants …

Continual giving versus fixed ownership· Essay 3

The difference between the brachah given to Yaakov and the brachah given to Esav: by Yaakov it says "And the Elokim shall give to you," while by Esav it is written "your dwelling shall be." The Sefas Emes notes the contrast in language: Yaa…

Love and awe as wings for Torah· Essay 4

In the Midrash: "The house of Yaakov…" — Yaakov redeemed Avraham from the fiery furnace. The Midrash teaches the striking idea that it was the merit of Yaakov, his grandson, that saved Avraham from the furnace of Ur Kasdim. This is so even …

True humility as the path to greatness· Essay 5

On the pasuk: "And it shall be, when you grow restless, [you shall break his yoke from upon your neck]" (Bereishis 27:40). The Sefas Emes opens with Yitzchak's words to Esav, hinting at the condition under which Esav could one day free hims…

Toldot תרל"ו

וכל הבארות אשר חפרו עבדי אביו כו’ סתמום פלשתים כו’ וישב יצחק ויחפור כו’. דאיתא אין קורין אבות אלא לשלשה פי’ אברהם יצחק ויעקב. וקשה ממ”נ א”כ ניזול בתר קמא ונקרא אב רק לאברהם. אבל טעם הענין כי כל צדיק יש לו…

Two paths of avodah: love and gevurah· Essay 1

In the Midrash: "He will surely rejoice (gil yagil)" (Mishlei 23:24) — when a tzaddik is born, there is joy upon joy (gilah achar gilah). The Sefas Emes opens with the Midrash that the birth of a tzaddik brings a doubled joy, which he will …

Weekday struggle versus Shabbos rest· Essay 2

My grandfather, my teacher and master of blessed memory, said regarding the wells — Eisek and Sitnah represent the avodah of the weekdays, while Rechovos represents Shabbos. Citing his grandfather (the Chiddushei HaRim), the Sefas Emes read…

Unconditional love rooted in essence· Essay 3

"And Yitzchak loved Esav, for game was in his mouth" (Bereishis 25:28). The Sefas Emes examines why the Torah specifies the reason for Yitzchak's love of Esav. The verse gives a reason, for it was not a true love but one dependent on a thin…

Yaakov as channel for worldly abundance· Essay 4

Concerning the blessing that Yitzchak wished to give to Esav. The Sefas Emes examines what berachah Yitzchak actually intended to bestow upon Esav. It appears that certainly the blessing designated for Yaakov, Yitzchak did not wish to give …

Toldot תרל"ז

במדרש גיל יגיל בזמן שנולד צדיק גילה אחר גילה. כי ואלה מוסיף על הראשונים כי מקודם הי’ תולדות הגשמיי בלבד. אבל מאבות התחיל להיות תולדות בבחי’ הרוחניות להנחיל כח הקדושה לזרעו אחריו. וזהו גילה אחר גילה כשהצדיק נולד. כי בתולדות יש שמ…

Awe born from love· Essay 1

"And these are the generations (toldos) of Yitzchak son of Avraham; Avraham begot Yitzchak" (Bereishis 25:19). The Sefas Emes begins from the opening verse of the parshah, which seemingly states the obvious — that Avraham fathered Yitzchak …

Lasting blessing requires chesed over din· Essay 2

"And I will give to your seed… because (eikev) Avraham hearkened to My voice…" Hashem confirms the promise of the land to Yitzchak's descendants, but bases it on Avraham's merit rather than Yitzchak's own. And this is difficult: surely it i…

Voice of Yaakov as inner soul-point· Essay 3

It has already been written elsewhere the holy words of my grandfather z"l regarding the wells Esek and Sitnah, that they correspond to the weekdays (yemei ha'maaseh). The Sefas Emes recalls his grandfather's teaching that the wells over wh…

Yaakov's blessing as deveikus to the Source· Essay 1

"And may Elokim give you…" (Bereishis 27:28) — the Midrash comments: "May He give, and give again." The doubled language of "giving" in the blessing teaches that this is a gift that keeps flowing — not a one-time grant but a continuous best…

Opposition strengthens holiness· Essay 1

The Midrash on "He will surely rejoice... joy after joy." The Sefas Emes begins with the Midrash that reads the doubled language of rejoicing as one joy building upon another. For it is written "And these are the generations" — "and these" …

Blocked wells prompt new avodah· Essay 2

As was already written regarding the "ten famines" mentioned in the Midrash, and on the pasuk "and all the wells... that they had dug in the days of Avraham." The Sefas Emes connects an earlier teaching about the ten famines to the wells of…

Hashem's unconditional love for Yaakov· Essay 3

Regarding the verse in the Haftarah: "And I loved Yaakov, but Esav I hated." (Malachi 1:2-3) The Sefas Emes opens with Hashem's declaration of His love for Yaakov and rejection of Esav. At first glance this is hard to understand — what is t…

Mercy bridges kindness and judgment· Essay 4

In the Midrash: "Yaakov redeemed Avraham." (cf. Yeshayahu 29:22) The Midrash, on the verse "Yaakov who redeemed Avraham," teaches that Yaakov somehow "redeemed" his grandfather Avraham. This, even though each one is worthy in his own right.…

Hidden light revealed through struggle· Essay 1

I have already written in previous years concerning the wells that the Plishtim stopped up, in order that Yitzchak Avinu should open a new opening. The Sefas Emes recalls his earlier teaching: the Plishtim's blocking of Yitzchak's wells was…

Avraham's longing for self-sacrifice· Essay 2

In the Midrash: "the house of Yaakov, who redeemed Avraham" (Yeshayahu 29:22). The Sefas Emes opens with the puzzling Midrashic verse that Yaakov "redeemed" his grandfather Avraham. But was Avraham Avinu, peace be upon him, not worthy to be…

True greatness through self-nullification· Essay 3

On the verse "and the elder shall serve the younger" (Bereishis 25:23), we already explained based on the Zohar HaKadosh: "one who is small, he is great." For how could it be that Yaakov is called "the younger" merely because of one moment,…

Din, mercy, and Yitzchak's blessings· Essay 4

On the verse, "And I will multiply your seed … for the sake of Avraham My servant" (Bereishis 26:24). The Sefas Emes notes that Hashem's promise to Yitzchak is granted on Avraham's account, and sets out to understand why. And so too it is w…

Love and fear unite in avodah· Essay 1

"Avraham begot Yitzchak." (Bereishis 25:19) The Sefas Emes opens with the verse the Midrash reads as a testimony that Avraham truly fathered Yitzchak. We have already written regarding the teaching that the scoffers of the generation were s…

Famine as concealment of Divine vitality· Essay 2

In the Midrash: "ten famines…" The Midrash enumerates ten famines in history; the Sefas Emes will read them as something deeper than mere physical hunger. For there are Asarah Ma'amaros (the ten utterances of Creation), about which Chazal s…

Daily renewal of parnasah vs. stored wealth· Essay 3

On the pasuk "And He shall give you" — He gives, and gives again. The Sefas Emes notes the seemingly extra wording of the bracha: the giving is not a one-time gift but a continual, repeated bestowal. The explanation is that such is the way …

Serving Yaakov as Esav's true tikkun· Essay 1

In the Midrash: "And the elder shall serve the younger" (Bereishis 25:23) — "if he merits, he shall serve." The Sefas Emes cites the Midrash's gloss on the prophecy to Rivkah, which inserts a condition of "merit" into the verse. People comm…

Shabbos as a gift with its path· Essay 2

In the name of my grandfather z"l: Chazal said regarding Shabbos, "I have a good gift in My treasury," and we hold that one who gives, gives with a generous eye; therefore one who gives a pit (bor) thereby gives a path to it as well — see t…

Din born from the power of chesed· Essay 1

On the pasuk, "And these are the offspring of Yitzchak, son of Avraham; Avraham fathered Yitzchak" (Bereishis 25:19). The Sefas Emes opens with the verse's seemingly redundant phrasing — "Avraham fathered Yitzchak" — which he will read as a…

Heaven's Yoke Frees from Bondage· Essay 1

In the verse, “And one nation shall strengthen itself over the other nation.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the verse from Genesis concerning Jacob and Esau, which speaks of the struggle between two nations. “Nation” (le’om) refers to kin…

Shabbos Well of Rechovot· Essay 2

Concerning the matter of the wells. The Sefat Emet begins by addressing the symbolic meaning of the wells mentioned in the Torah portion. My master and grandfather, of blessed memory, explained that “Esek” and “Sitnah” represent the aspect …

Peace as Vessel for Blessing· Essay 3

Concerning the blessing of Jacob, “And may God give you,” Rashi explains: if you merit, etc. The Sefat Emet opens by citing Rashi’s comment that the blessing depends upon merit, implying that divine giving is conditional upon human worthine…

Three Wells of the Patriarchs· Essay 1

Concerning the matter of the wells, my holy grandfather, of blessed memory, wrote that during the weekdays the service is from the aspect of “contention” and “enmity,” but on the Sabbath it is called “Reḥovot,” an inheritance without bounda…

Shabbos Vessel of Blessing· Essay 2

On the verse “And may He give you,” we have already explained elsewhere the difference between “and may He give you” and what is said regarding Esau, “your dwelling shall be.” The Rebbe recalls a previous teaching distinguishing Jacob’s ble…

Unity Uncovering Hidden Light· Essay 1

Concerning the wells that the Patriarchs dug. The teaching opens by referring to the wells mentioned in the Torah, which the Patriarchs uncovered, as symbols of spiritual discovery. As it is written: “Let the waters be gathered to one place…

Garments Woven from Deeds· Essay 2

On the verse “And he smelled the scent of his garments,” our Sages said: there is no worse odor than that of washed goat skins, except that with it entered the fragrance of the Garden of Eden. The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash tha…

Jacob Donning Esau's Garments· Essay 3

Concerning the matter that he took Esau’s blessing, as it is written, “and he took your blessing,” and also it is written, “I am Esau your firstborn.” The Sefat Emet opens by addressing the troubling question of Jacob’s taking of Esau’s ble…

Wells Revealing Inner Torah· Essay 1

Concerning the matter of the wells, it is stated in the Midrash on Shir HaShirim, in the section “Ma‘ayan Ganin,” that the word “well” (be’er) is written in the Torah forty-eight times, corresponding to the forty-eight qualities through whi…

Jacob's Mercy Sustaining Abraham· Essay 2

In the Midrash: “To the house of Jacob who redeemed Abraham” — Abraham was not saved from the fiery furnace except by the merit of Jacob. The Midrash teaches that Abraham’s deliverance from the furnace was due to Jacob’s future merit, imply…

Torah's Yoke Lifts Servitude· Essay 3

In the Midrash it is said: When the voice is the voice of Jacob, the hands are not the hands of Esau. The Midrash teaches that when Israel maintains the spiritual power of Jacob—the voice of prayer and Torah—the physical domination of Esau …

Israel as Vessel of Blessing· Essay 4

In the Midrash it is written: “And may God give you—your roots open toward the waters…” and “Return, O Shulammite, who makes peace…”—these are the same in this world and in the World to Come. “And may He give you His Divinity,” and so forth…

Body and Soul Tefillin· Essay 1

In the verse, “and his hand was grasping…”—and because of this he was called Jacob. The name “Jacob” is derived from the act of grasping Esau’s heel, symbolizing the beginning of struggle and attachment to the physical realm. For the two na…

Earned Gifts Through Toil· Essay 2

On the verse “And may God give you,” Rashi and the Midrash explain: if you are worthy, etc. The Sefat Emet begins by citing the verse and the traditional commentaries that link the giving of blessing to human merit. Behold, “and may He give…

Patriarchs Preparing Israel's Soul· Essay 3

The entire order of the Patriarchs was a preparation for the Children of Israel. When we say, “Blessed is our God who created us for His glory,” this corresponds to the aspect of Abraham—“in their being created” (בהבראם) is read as “in Abra…