Vayeshev
וישבYosef & The Coat
94 translated essays · 95 total
תרל"א(1870)
Sabbath Tranquility and Joseph· Essay 1
“And he dwelled – an aspect of Shabbat, for until now there had been difficult labors to push away the husks of Esau, Laban, and Shechem.” The Sefat Emet explains that ‘vayeshev’ hints to the restful quality of Shabbat after long spiritual …
Spiritual Purpose of Dispersion· Essay 2
במדרש נפזר עצמינו כו’ ואין מובן. Midrash (Bereishit Rabba 85:2) says that the juxtaposition of Yosef sent to Mitzrayim and Yehuda leaving his brothers was because the brothers decided that so long as they are together the debt of the …
Union with the Divine Root· Essay 3
“Binding sheaves in the field — translated as ‘gathering bundles.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that Joseph’s words imply an act of collecting and concentrating scattered elements. “One may say that ‘field’ means hefker (ownerless), as …
Vayeshev 3 תרל"א
מאלמים אלומים בתוך השדה בתרגום מאסרין איסרין. In Yosef’s dream, he dreamt that he and his brothers were gathering bundles of sheaves. The Onkelus translates the word as binding sheaves. וי”ל כי שדה פי’ הפקר כמו עשו איש שדה…
תרל"ב(1871)
Light and Redemption in Darkness· Essay 1
ב”ה ש”ק וישב וחנוכה. במדרש ביקש לישב בשלוה כו’. Medrash (Raba 84:3) Yaakov wished to live in ease, and HaShem said is it not enough that the tzadikim get olam haba, but they also wish to have ease in this world. Immediatel…
Sanctity Drawn Into the World· Essay 2
ב”ה ש”ק וישב וחנוכה. במדרש ביקש לישב בשלוה כו’. כי הצדיק כל מגמתו להמשיך הקדושה בעולם הזה והטבע ג”כ. ומקודם צריך לתקן עצמו בלי נגיעה בעוה”ז. וז”ש כשהצדיקים יושבין בשלוה פי’ שדבקים בשורשם בלי שייכות …
Divine Uplift Through Humility· Essay 3
וימאן ויאמר הן כו’ וכל כו’ יש לו נתן בידי כו’. Yosef refused the overtures of Potiphar’s wife (Bereishit 39:8-9) “But he refused. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master gives no thought to anyth…
Free Will Against Temptation· Essay 4
“And he refused and said: Behold … all … he has placed in my hands …” The Sefat Emet begins by noting Joseph’s refusal and the rationale he gives, emphasizing that everything has been entrusted to him. From this we may learn to push away th…
Vayehsev תרל"ב 2 Chanuka
אא”ז מו”ר ז”ל הגיד בשם הרה”ק מפרשיסחא ז”ל פי’ ארוממך ה’ כי דליתני לשון הגבהה ולשון דלות. Tehillim (30:2) (traditionally said when lighting the Chanukah candles) “I praise you HaShem for you have lif…
תרל"ג(1872)
Torah Fire and Desire· Essay 1
תולדות יעקב יוסף. “These are the children of Yaakov – Yosef” (Bereishis 37:2) דכתיב בית יעקב אש כו’ יוסף להבה כו’. This is because Yaakov was the fire however Yosef was the flame that gave the fire it’s strength as it says…
Spiritual Renewal Through Humility· Essay 2
פי’ הזוה”ק טוב ילד מסכן כו’ The Zohar (see תרל”ב 2) Says on the pasuk “a poor but wise child is better than an old but foolish king”, that the poor but wise child is referring to the good inclination. שע”י שהאדם תמיד…
Mastering the Evil Inclination· Essay 3
לעשות מלאכתו. במדרש לעשות צרכיו נכנס רק שנראית לו דמות דיוקנו של אביו כו’. On the pasuk Yosef went “To do his work” The Medrash (quoted in Rashi) says that he intended to sin, however he saw the image of his father and refrained from …
Spiritual Resistance to Temptation· Essay 4
תולדות יעקב יוסף. דכתיב בית יעקב אש כו’ יוסף להבה כו’. יעקב הוא התורה כה דברי כאש והוא למעלה מהטבע. רק העצה להיות נכנס אור התורה בנפש האדם. הוא על ידי החשק והתלהבות. והוא בחי’ יוסף הצדיק. וז”ש רש”י ע”י לה…
תרל"ד(1873)
Unity Through Jacob’s Holiness· Essay 1
במדרש כינוסו וכינוס בניו כו’. The Medrash (Bereishit Rabbah 84:1) The ingathering of Yaakov and his children is what saved him from Eisav. דהנה עבודת יעקב אצל לבן הי’ בחי’ ימות החול ימי עבודה ועתה וישב יעקב בחי’ שבת …
Fear and Surrender to God· Essay 2
וימאן ויאמר הן אדוני כו’. “But he refused. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master gives no thought to anything in this house, and all that he owns he has placed in my hands.” (Bereishit 39:8) הוא עצה לכל אד…
Faith Amid Suffering· Essay 3
נראה כי יוסף זכה ע”י המכירה שנתבזה מהשבטים ויפשיטו כו’. וע”י שלא הרהר אחר השם ית’ והאמין כי הכל לטובה. עי”ז וינס ויצא החוצה. שהי’ לו סיוע שיוכל לבזות עצמו עבור רצון הבורא ית’. It would seem that the…
Legacy of the Patriarchs· Essay 4
אילו הי’ ראובן יודע כו’. Now if Reuven had known that the Holy One, blessed be He would write about him “And Reuven heard it, and delivered him out of their hand (Genesis 37:21)” on his shoulder he would have brought…
תרל"ה(1874)
Spiritual Refinement Through Trials· Essay 1
ביקש לישב בשלוה כו’. לא דיין שמתוקן להם עוה”ב כו’ בעוה”ז. לכן קפץ עליו רוגזו של יוסף. Yaakov wished to settle in peace, and HaShem said is it not enough that they (the tzadikim) have peace in the world to come but th…
Vayeshev תרל"ה
ביקש לישב בשלוה כו’. לא דיין שמתוקן להם עוה”ב כו’ בעוה”ז. לכן קפץ עליו רוגזו של יוסף. מקודם עבר על יעקב אע”ה מה שעבר להינצל מעשו ולבן. כמ”ש הצילני נא כו’. ואח”כ כשניצל מהם והפריש עצמו מסט̶…
תרל"ו(1875)
Inner Strength Through Opposition· Essay 1
ברש”י ממדרש ראה יעקב כל האלופים נתיירא אמר לו הקב”ה ניצוץ אחד משלך כו’ בית יעקב אש כו’ עשו לקש כו’. Rashi quoting the Medrash says that when Yaakov saw all the generals of Eisav he was fearful of them. HaShem r…
Ceaseless Spiritual Growth· Essay 2
ביקש יעקב לישב בשלוה קפץ עליו רוגזו של יוסף. בודאי יעקב לא רצה לישב בשלוה עד שתיקן עצמו לגמרי ולא הי’ לו חשש מזה. אך רצון הקב”ה מאיש הישראלי. אשר יהיה כל ימיו ביגיעה להוסיף בעבודתו ית”ש כי ענין התוספות אין לו שיעור. וזה ענ…
Spiritual Sensitivity and Truth· Essay 3
“And Joseph brought… their evil report…” The Sefat Emet begins by addressing Joseph’s report about his brothers. Surely Joseph the Righteous was not among those who speak lashon hara. Joseph’s intention was not slander; his righteousness pr…
Divine Providence in Joseph’s Trials· Essay 4
“That which the Holy One, blessed be He, did not reveal to Jacob regarding the sale of Joseph.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that God concealed the truth of Joseph’s sale from Jacob. “Even though it was through the ban, etc.” Even though …
תרל"ז(1876)
The Power of Holy Gathering· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “When you cry out, your gatherings will save you… His gathering and the gathering of his sons saved them from Esau and his chiefs… all of them the wind shall carry away.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which te…
Spiritual Growth Through Opposition· Essay 2
Rashi cites the Midrash Tanchuma: a parable of a pearl that fell into the sand, and so on. The Sefat Emet opens by referencing the Midrashic image: valuable holiness (the pearl) hidden within coarse material (the sand), setting up the theme…
Intent and Divine Merit· Essay 3
“Reuben heard, and he saved him from their hand.” The Sefat Emet begins by emphasizing that Reuben actively intervened to save Joseph from his brothers. “Behold, Reuben performed a mitzvah with sincere intention.” Reuben’s rescue was not ac…
Divine Providence in Joseph’s Descent· Essay 4
“In the verse it is not mentioned that the brothers’ hatred was because of the evil report.” The Sefat Emet notes that the Torah does not explicitly connect the brothers’ hatred to Joseph’s negative reports. “Rather, ‘They saw that he loved…
Self‑Sacrifice Against Temptation· Essay 5
In the Midrash: “And he refused and said…” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the Midrashic comment on Joseph’s refusal of Potiphar’s wife. “It is the way of the Holy One, blessed be He, to choose from the beloved ones of the ancestral househol…
Divine Justice for the Righteous· Essay 6
One must contemplate what God arranged after he (Yosef) withstood this tremendous test. The Sefat Emet opens by asking why, after Yosef’s great triumph over temptation, God orchestrated further difficulties. The Sages taught that this trial…
Vayeshev תרל"ז
במדרש בזעקך יצילוך קבוציך כו’ כינוסו וכינוס בניו הצילו מיד עשו ואלופיו כו’ כולם ישא רוח כו’. פירוש אף כי הכתוב נאמר בתוכחת ישראל. רק עיקר המכוון שהכל תלוי בכח הכינוס כמאמר חכמים כנסי’ שהיא לשם שמים סופה להתקיים. והנה…
תרל"ח(1877)
Shabbat Chanukah Reflection· Essay 1
“With God’s help, for Shabbat of Chanukah.” This introductory line marks that the teaching was delivered for the Shabbat of Chanukah, signaling that the Sefat Emet will connect the weekly Torah portion with the spiritual themes of the festi…
Unity Through Return to Source· Essay 2
“And Jacob dwelled in the land of his father’s sojournings…” The Sefat Emet begins by noting Jacob’s return to the sacred place of his fathers. “In the Midrash: ‘In your cry… your gathering and the gathering of your children saved them from…
Miracles Elevating the Soul· Essay 3
“They established them and made them festival days through praise and thanksgiving.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that the sanctity of these days comes specifically from acts of praise and gratitude. “We have written elsewhere that t…
Vayeshev תרל"ח
Shabbos Chanukah וישב יעקב בארץ מגורי אביו כו’ במדרש בזעקך כו’ כינוסו וכינוס בניו הצילו מיד עשו כו’. אמת הדבר כי אדם נברא בעוה”ז לתקן עולם הפירוד לכן צריך להיות פיזור הנפש בכל עניני העולם שבאמצעות האדם יתוקן הכל. אמנ…
תרל"ט(1878)
תר"מ(1879)
Invocation of Divine Help· Essay 1
“With God’s help — in brief.” This opening formula signals that the teaching begins with an invocation of divine assistance and indicates that what follows is presented in concise form. Summary: The text opens with a traditional invocation …
Spiritual Growth Through Struggle· Essay 2
In the Midrash it says: “his gathering and the gathering of his children,” etc. The Sefat Emet begins by referencing a Midrash that links Jacob’s settling with the spiritual gathering of his children. For regarding Esau it is written: “He w…
Spiritual Purpose of the Brothers· Essay 3
In the Midrash: “They sat to eat bread — to feed... the transgression of the tribes... a hope for the world...” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which frames the episode of the brothers eating as containing both a flaw and a hid…
Divine Presence in Exile· Essay 4
“In the verse: ‘And the Lord was with Joseph … in the house of his Egyptian master …’.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the Torah’s emphasis that God was with Joseph even in Egypt, beginning the theme of divine accompaniment in exile. “In th…
Vayeshev תר"מ
במדרש כינוסו וכינוס בניו כו’. דבעשו כתיב וילך אל ארץ מפני יעקב. כי הוא הי’ כל הזמן אצל אביו. אעפ”כ הי’ דרך שסופו קוצים. והצדיקים הולכים בדרך שסופו מישור. ויעקב אע”ה הכין עצמו לקבל הגלות כמ”ש בזוה”ק …
תרמ"א(1880)
Intentions for the Sake of Heaven· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “In your crying… his gathering and the gathering of his children saved them from the hand of Esau…” The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Midrash that connects Israel’s cry with a saving power rooted in the gathering of Jacob a…
Divine Plan in Exile· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘With cords of man I drew them,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by invoking the Midrash, which explains that God draws Israel through human‑like cords—meaning through processes embedded in human history. For the descent of our…
Vayeshev תרמ"א
במדרש בזעקך כו’ כינוסו וכינוס בניו הצילו מיד עשו כו’. הענין הוא עפ”י המשנה כל כנסי’ שהיא לשם שמים סופה להתקיים כו’. כי ראינו עשו ישב אצל אביו בארץ כנען ובסוף וילך אל ארץ כו’. כיון שלא הי’ כוונתו לשם…
תרמ"ב(1881)
Divine Assistance Invocation· Essay 1
“With God’s help — in brief.” This opening formula signals that the teaching begins with an invocation of divine assistance and that what follows is presented only in concise form. Summary: The Sefat Emet introduces the teaching with a brie…
Redeeming Hidden Holiness· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: his gathering and the gathering of his sons saved him.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that salvation came through an act of inner and collective gathering—Jacob and his sons unifying their spiritual forces. “As it is writt…
Joseph’s Ascent Through Trial· Essay 3
“In the verse, ‘They took him and cast him…’ ” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the wording of the verse concerning Joseph’s brothers taking him before throwing him into the pit. At first glance, the phrase ‘they took him’ seems unnecessary.…
Vayeshev תרמ"ב
במדרש כינוסו וכינוס בניו הצילו. עפ”י הפסוק בזעקך יצילוך קבוציך. כי כל זמן שהיה בעשו קצת נצוצי קדושה הי’ לו כח לרדוף. וכן כל הרדיפות של האדם כדי להוציא השייך לו. וע”י שכינס הוא ובניו. והוציאו מהם כל הכח. ממילא וילך אל ארץ. …
תרמ"ג(1882)
Balanced Divine Attributes· Essay 1
“And Jacob dwelled in the land of his father’s sojournings”—the Zohar explains this as an expression of awe. The Sefat Emet opens by noting that the word “מגורי” is interpreted as “fear,” indicating that Jacob is now entering a mode associa…
Messiah Beyond Human Understanding· Essay 2
In the Midrash: “For I know the thoughts… all were occupied with their dwelling and their suffering.” The Sefat Emet opens by showing that while the tribes were absorbed in their struggles, God perceived their inner intentions. But the Holy…
Vayeshev תרמ"ג
וישב יעקב בארץ מגורי אביו פירש בזוה”ק מלשון יראה כו’. כי הנה חכמים הגידו כי האבות היו כל אחד ענין מיוחד אברהם בחי’ אהבה וחסד. ויצחק בחי’ יראה ודין. ויעקב אע”ה הי’ כלול מב’ הבחי’. לכן נאמר כי ע…
תרמ"ד(1883)
Refinement Through Struggle· Essay 1
“And Jacob dwelled…” — Rashi and the Midrash bring the parable of the pearl that fell into the sand. The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that Jacob’s settling is likened to a precious pearl hidden within coarse sand, requiring effort and se…
Spiritual Roots of Jacob’s Love· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘And Israel loved… for he was a son of his old age to him, and he made him a coat of many colors.’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the Torah’s phrasing regarding Jacob’s love for Joseph and the making of the special garment. “…
Spiritual Growth of the Tzaddik· Essay 3
“In the verse ‘and he was a youth,’ meaning he performed youthful behaviors—touching his eyes, curling his hair.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash’s depiction of Joseph’s immature behaviors, which seem superficial and childish. A…
Fear Precedes True Wisdom· Essay 4
On the verse, “And he refused and he said to his master’s wife...” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the layered meaning behind Joseph’s refusal. The explanation: At first he refused the sin without giving a reason, just as the Sages said, “A …
תרמ"ה(1884)
תרמ"ו(1885)
Divine Purpose in Tribal Conflict· Essay 1
In the Midrash on the verse “And they sat to eat bread,” it says: the transgression of the tribes is a hope for the world, remembered forever… to feed bread, etc. The Midrash teaches that even the tribes’ misdeed contains within it an etern…
Self‑Nullification for Spiritual Repair· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘The boy is gone… and I, where shall I go?’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on Reuven’s cry when Yosef is missing. As it is taught: “Reuven—see the difference between my son and the son of my father‑in‑law.” This refers to…
תרמ"ז(1886)
Esau’s Lost Light Collected· Essay 1
In the Midrash on “Vayeshev Yaakov” it is taught that his gathering and the gathering of his sons saved them from the hand of Esau. The Sefat Emet begins by citing a Midrash that Yaakov’s unified spiritual posture, together with that of his…
Spiritual Garments and Temptation· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘She caught him by his garment…,’ and our Sages said: ‘He came home…,’ except that the image of his father appeared to him.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that Joseph’s resistance to temptation came through a heavenly vision …
Role Models in Trials· Essay 3
It is taught in the Gemara: Joseph obligates the wicked, Hillel obligates the poor, and Rabbi Elazar ben Charsum obligates the wealthy. The Sefat Emet cites the teaching that these exemplary figures stand as proofs against those who claim t…
תרמ"ח(1887)
Spiritual Ascent from Field to House· Essay 1
“And Jacob settled… and in the Midrash: the chaff and the straw are arguing…” The Sefat Emet begins by invoking the Midrash that compares quarrels to the separation of straw and chaff, introducing the theme of sifting and clarification. As …
Trust in God Amid Pursuit· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘They fled and none pursued,’ etc.; ‘The wicked one flees with none chasing him, but the righteous are confident like a young lion.’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which contrasts the baseless fear of the wic…
תרמ"ט(1888)
Unity of Joseph and the Tribes· Essay 1
“In the Midrash it is taught: his gathering and the gathering of his sons saved him from the hand of Esau, as it is written: ‘These are the generations of Jacob—Joseph.’” The Sefat Emet begins with the Midrash that Jacob’s ‘gathering,’ toge…
Daily Battle with the Yetzer Hara· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘As she spoke to Joseph day after day.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the repetitive phrase “day after day,” indicating an ongoing spiritual struggle. “For it is taught: a person’s inclination overpowers him every day.” Th…
תר"נ(1889)
Spiritual Refinement and Shabbat Unity· Essay 1
Your request is fully understood, but the passage is far too long to produce in one response with the required *sentence‑by‑sentence* interleaving structure (blockquote → translation → explanation → eventual summary). The output would excee…
Overcoming the Evil Inclination· Essay 2
In the Midrash: “Behold, my master — the Holy One, blessed be He, is accustomed to choose from the beloved ones of my father’s house for an offering.” The Sefat Emet explains that this teaches the path by which a person overcomes the evil i…
תרנ"א(1890)
תרנ"ב(1891)
תרנ"ג(1892)
Spiritual Refinement of Sparks· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “By your cry your gatherings will save you; his gathering and the gathering of his sons saved them from Esau.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that the salvation from Esau came through the unification of holy sparks asso…
Joseph’s Supernal Influence· Essay 2
Concerning the verse, “Shall you indeed reign over us?” … and “they added still more to hate him.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining the brothers’ reaction to Joseph’s dreams and their growing hatred. For Joseph’s spiritual level is highe…
תרנ"ד(1893)
Sanctity of Covenant and Torah· Essay 1
“In the verse ‘These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph,’ the Sages explained that Joseph resembled Jacob, and what befell one befell the other.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the deep spiritual correspondence between Jacob and Joseph, …
Shabbat, Exile, and Redemption· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: Jacob sought to dwell in tranquility… the Satan accused.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash: Jacob’s desire for peace provoked a spiritual accusation, suggesting his work in this world was not yet complete. “The t…
תרנ"ה(1894)
Unity of Joseph and Jacob· Essay 1
“And behold, we were binding sheaves in the field.” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining that Joseph’s dream hints at a deeper spiritual activity: the gathering and elevating of holy sparks hidden within the world. “We have already written el…
Torah and the Covenant of Light· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bow to me,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet introduces the dream imagery as symbolic elements containing deep spiritual structure. “To make known that everything depends on the sign of the holy c…
תרנ"ו(1895)
Inner Wisdom Beyond Youth· Essay 1
“And he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah.” The verse describes Yosef appearing in the aspect of a ‘na’ar,’ a youth, in relation to the sons of Bilhah. And our sages said that he behaved with youthful actions, etc. The Sefat Emet cites the …
Jacob as Torah Fire· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘These are the generations of Jacob,’ it is written: ‘The house of Jacob is fire, and Joseph a flame.’” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that Scripture depicts Jacob as fire and Joseph as the flame that extends and expresse…
Truth, Peace, and Strife· Essay 3
“In the Midrash: ‘There was no tranquility… and anger came…’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which teaches that moments of hoped‑for peace were immediately followed by turmoil. “Also in Parashat Beshalach, regarding ‘And Amale…
תרנ"ז(1896)
Seeking Peace and Redemption· Essay 1
“And Jacob settled in the land of his father’s sojournings. Our sages said: He sought to dwell in tranquility, and the turmoil of Joseph leapt upon him.” The Sefat Emet explains that Jacob’s desire for tranquility triggered the events surro…
Limitless Mercy and Lineage· Essay 2
“These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the unique phrasing: Joseph is presented as the essence of Jacob’s generations. Previously, the generations of Esau are written with a number. The Torah enumerate…
תרנ"ח(1897)
Unity as Divine Strength· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: ‘In your outcry, your gatherings will save you.’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which teaches that Israel’s salvation comes through its collective unity. “It was taught: His gathering and the gathering of his…
Tribes and Joseph’s Spiritual Roles· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘They sat to eat bread’ — the sin of the tribes is remembered… a hope for the world.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the Midrash views the episode of the brothers eating bread as carrying lasting consequences, yet als…
תרנ"ט(1898)
Sanctity Above Nature· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: ‘When you cry out, your gatherings will save you,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Midrash as the key to understanding the spiritual struggle of the weekdays. “The matter of the dream, ‘binding sheaves in the field…
Divine Protection of the Righteous· Essay 2
“And Hashem was with Yosef,” and in the Midrash: not with the other tribes, etc. The Sefat Emet explains that the special accompaniment of Hashem with Yosef is highlighted by the Midrash, distinguishing him from the other brothers. Because …
תר"ס(1899)
Inner Holiness Dispels Impurity· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: A parable of a flax‑dealer. The charcoal‑maker wondered: ‘Where will all this flax go?’” The Sefat Emet begins with the Midrashic parable: the charcoal‑maker sees the immense quantity of flax and cannot comprehend where it …
Transcending Nature through Covenant· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘He fled and went outside.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on Joseph’s escape from Potiphar’s wife as an act of transcending natural impulse. “And it is written there: ‘And He took him outside,’ which the Sages interpret …
תרס"א(1900)
Joseph as Inner Continuation· Essay 1
“These are the generations of Jacob.” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining that the “generations” refer not only to biological descendants but to spiritual continuations of Jacob’s essence. Just as the patriarchs are the pillars upon which th…
Covenant and Torah Truth· Essay 2
“These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph.” This hints that through guarding the holy covenant one merits the aspect of Jacob, which is the Torah. This is a hint that through guarding the holy covenant one merits the Torah, the aspect of …
Spiritual Steadfastness in Exile· Essay 3
In the verse: “And he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the Torah’s emphasis on Joseph’s state of being in each location he entered. “And he was there in the prison.” Again Scripture stresses that Jos…
תרס"ב - תרס"ג(1901)
Shedding Physical Garments for Truth· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘And he left his garment… and he fled and went outside.’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting Joseph’s leaving of his garment as a symbolic act. “This means: outside of the bodily garment, as in the verse ‘and He took him outside,…
Covenant and Joseph’s Purity· Essay 2
“And Jacob dwelled… these are the generations of Jacob…” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the juxtaposition of Jacob’s genealogy with what precedes it. It is placed immediately after the genealogy of Esau and his chiefs; therefore the word “…
Prophecy Beyond “Ko” and “Zeh”· Essay 3
“In the verse ‘they traveled from there,’ it is taught that Moses prophesied with ‘this word,’ through a clear speculum.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that Moses’ prophecy operated through ‘this word’—a perfectly clear prophetic medium. …
Struggle of Truth and Falsehood· Essay 4
“The portion of Vayeshev and the conflict of the tribes are placed immediately after the genealogy of Esau.” The Sefat Emet notes the Torah’s juxtaposition: the strife among Joseph and his brothers follows the listing of Esau’s descendants,…
תרס"ד(1903)
תרס"ה(1904)
1 more essays from this section await translation.