Vayishlach
וישלחWrestling the Angel
92 translated essays · 94 total
תרל"א(1870)
Sanctifying Weekday Actions· Essay 1
ויחן את פני העיר במדרש ע”ש הי’ וקבע תחומין כו’. When Yaakov came to Shechem it says ‘And he encamped by the city’ The medrash says that we learn from here that Yaakov established techumin, the laws of up till where one can…
Humility from Divine Kindness· Essay 2
אא”ז מו”ר זצלה”ה הגיד בשם הר’ מלובלין The Chidushei Harim said in the name of the Rebbe of Lublin פי’ קטונתי מכל החסדים שגם זה שקטן בעיניו ג”כ מחסדי השי”ת. When Yaakov said ‘I have become humble (sm…
Divine Wholeness in Unity· Essay 3
באוה”ח כי חנני כו’ וכי יש לי כל. כתב כי ע”י המתנה לא יחסר ע”ש פי’ מכל כל. The Ohr Hachaim explains that when Yaakov told Eisav to take the gift that he prepared for him, he said I have everything יש לי כל. The …
תרל"ב(1871)
תרל"ג(1872)
Angels Within Human Actions· Essay 1
שם ישראל כי שרית כו’. The new name of Yaakov – Yisrae was given to him by the angel, who said ‘you have equaled the level of angels’ ובודאי נשאר כח זה בכל איש ישראל אשר כל העולמות תלוין במעשיו. And this strength can definitely s…
Aligning With Divine Will· Essay 2
ואתה אמרת היטב כו’. When Yaakov requests that HaShem save him from Eisav, instead of making a new request for blessing, he falls back onto HaShem’s promise to him ‘You told me you will surely be good to me and make my offspring like t…
Wholeness Through Trials· Essay 3
ויבא יעקב שלם כו’. After Yaakov’s travails with 20 years at Lavan, and then fighting with Eisav’s malach and finally surviving the encounter with Eisav, he comes to Shechem in a state of wholeness and completion ‘shalem’ אחר שעבר כל ה…
תרל"ד(1873)
Jacob’s Mission and Spiritual Guards· Essay 1
וישלח יעקב מלאכים כו’. בזוה”ק כי מלאכיו יצוה לך כו’ יצ”ט ויצה”ר. ‘And Yaakov sent angels to Eisav’ TheZohar explains the pasuk ‘And He will send His angels to protect you, these angels that protect us are the g…
Humility Through Divine Kindness· Essay 2
קטנתי מכל החסדים. I have become humbled fro all the kindness שמעתי מכבוד מו”ז ז”ל בשם הרב הק’ מלובלין ז”ל שגם מה שקטן בעיניו הוא מהחסדים של הש”י כו’. I heard in the name of the Rebbe of Lublin, that Yaako…
Hidden Divine Goodness· Essay 3
ברש”י ההפרש בין דברי עשו שאמר יש לי רב ויעקב אמר כל מה שנצרך לי כו’. אף כי ודאי אמר עשו אמת שהי’ לו רב יותר מכפי צרכו. אכן השי”ת נותן הטוב לצדיק בדרך נסתר וע”ז נאמר מה רב טובך אשר צפנת ליראיך. שלצדיק וירא הR…
תרל"ה(1874)
Angels and Human Spiritual Elevation· Essay 1
“Angels before him.” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining Jacob’s act of sending angels ahead of him. “He will command His angels for you… as it is written: ‘Mighty in strength, doers of His word, to listen to the voice of His word.’” The ver…
Humility Born of Divine Kindness· Essay 2
I have been diminished by all the kindnesses. Jacob states that God’s kindness itself causes him to feel small and humbled. My grandfather of blessed memory said in the name of the Rabbi of Lublin that even Jacob’s feeling of smallness come…
Inner Strength Against the Yetzer Hara· Essay 3
My grandfather and teacher, of blessed memory, explained the verse “And he asked you: To whom do you belong?” He begins by interpreting Esau’s question as containing spiritual meaning beyond its literal sense. For the evil inclination also …
Vayishlach תרל"ה
מלאכים לפניו. מלאכיו יצוה לך כו’ דכתיב גבורי כח עושי דברו לשמוע בקול דברו. דאיתא מי גדול השומר או הנשמר כו’. ואנו רואין כי המלאכים מעלתן גבוה מבני אדם. והכל אמת כי בנ”י במעשיהם מעוררין כח המלאכים כדאיתא שאין המלאכים מתחילי…
תרל"ו(1875)
Body and Soul Elevation· Essay 1
“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob… for you have struggled…” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that the change of Jacob’s name expresses an inner spiritual transformation brought about through struggle. And these two names were merited…
Vayishlach תרל"ו
לא יעקב יאמר עוד שמך כו’ כי שרית כו’. וב’ שמות אלו זכו בהם בני ישראל. והם בחי’ הגוף והנשמה. כי צריך כל אדם לתקן הגוף עד שיחול עליו כח נשמתו ואז נק’ ישראל. וענין מלחמת יעקב עם המלאך כי נשמת אדם גדלה מעלתה מהמלאך…
תרל"ז(1876)
Shabbat After Weekday Toil· Essay 1
In the Midrash on the verse “And Jacob came whole… and he encamped…,” it says that he entered on the eve of Shabbat at twilight. The Sefat Emet cites the Midrash, which teaches that Jacob arrived precisely at the transition point into Shabb…
Spiritual Struggle for Future Generations· Essay 2
Surely the spiritual level of Jacob is above nature and he does not exist within the realm of weekday existence, as the Sages said: a Torah scholar is called “Shabbat,” for he is always in the quality of Shabbat. The Sefat Emet states that …
Humility Amid Divine Kindness· Essay 3
“I have been diminished by all the truth…” — in the name of the Rebbe of Lublin, may his memory live, for even the fact that I am small in my own eyes is itself from all the truth and kindnesses that You have done with me. The Sefat Emet ci…
Divine Promise and Future Generations· Essay 4
“In the verse: ‘And You said: I will surely do good… your seed…’.” The Sefat Emet begins by referencing God’s promise to Jacob, which forms the basis of Jacob’s prayer. “And it is difficult: would our father Jacob come to challenge th…
Vayishlach תרל"ז
במדרש בפסוק ויבא יעקב שלם כו’ ויחן כו’ נכנס בע”ש עם דמדומי חמה כו’. דרש מלשון ויחן. וגם שלום הוא שבת כידוע. וביאור הענין כי כל ירידת יעקב לחו”ל הי’ ענין ימי המעשה. וע”י העבודה רבה שהי’ לו שם. …
תרל"ח(1877)
Inner Essence Above Angels· Essay 1
“And Jacob sent angels — we have already written about this elsewhere.” The Sefat Emet introduces the topic by noting that he has previously explained the deeper meaning of Jacob sending angels. “And the essence of the matter is that the as…
Humility Attracts Divine Kindness· Essay 2
“In the verse: I have become small from all the kindnesses … that You have done with Your servant.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting Jacob’s statement of humility regarding God’s kindness. In the Midrash one opinion says: I am unworthy, and a…
Spiritual Yearning Beyond the Body· Essay 3
Another explanation of “I am diminished by all the kindnesses and all the truth.” The Sefat Emet introduces a new interpretation of Jacob’s words, framing “I am diminished” as a description of the human condition. This refers to the intelle…
Vayishlach תרל"ח
וישלח יעקב מלאכים כבר כתבנו מזה במ”א. ותוכן הדברים כי בחי’ המלאך הוא כחות הטבע כמ”ש חז”ל אין עשב בארץ שאין לו מזל ברקיע ואומר לו גדל כו’. וכן תיקון המעשים בימי המעשה ועשית כל מלאכתך וכמ”ש חז”ל שמכל …
תרל"ט(1878)
Jacob’s Spiritual Mission· Essay 1
“And Jacob sent angels before him…” The Sefat Emet begins by questioning why Jacob initiated the encounter with Esau, seemingly awakening hostility. And they ask: Why did he send [them] ahead of him, arousing hatred? The commentators challe…
Shabbat as Higher Identity· Essay 2
“And it is written in the Midrash: ‘And Jacob came whole… and he encamped before the city,’ meaning that he entered on the eve of Shabbat.” The Midrash teaches that Jacob’s arrival ‘whole’ is linked to entering the city as Shabbat approache…
Spiritual Battle and Surrender· Essay 3
“In the verse: ‘And I sent to tell my lord, to find favor in your eyes; afterward also to find favor in the eyes of my lord.’” The Sefat Emet notes the double expression of ‘finding favor,’ signaling a deeper intention behind Jacob’s messag…
Spiritual Struggle for Truth· Essay 4
“Regarding the verse ‘And a man wrestled with him,’ the Sages said that they raised dust up to the Throne of Glory.” The Sefat Emet teaches that the struggle between Jacob and the angel was so spiritually intense that its effects reached th…
Divine Connection of Jacob· Essay 5
“In the verse ‘And He called him El,’ the Holy One, blessed be He, called Jacob ‘El.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that God Himself bestowed the name “El” upon Jacob, indicating a profound spiritual elevation. “The matter is as the Gema…
Vayishlach תרל"ט
וישלח יעקב מלאכים לפניו כו’. ומקשים למה הקדים לשלוח לפניו לעורר השנאה. אבל התירוץ הוא כי רצה להמשיכו לחו”ל וכשיבוא לארץ ישראל יהי’ בכל השלימות כמ”ש ויבוא יעקב שלם כו’. וגם זה אמת כי בודאי יעקב אע”ה בעצמו …
Vayishach תרל"ט
וישלח יעקב מלאכים לפניו כו’. ומקשים למה הקדים לשלוח לפניו לעורר השנאה. אבל התירוץ הוא כי רצה להמשיכו לחו”ל וכשיבוא לארץ ישראל יהי’ בכל השלימות כמ”ש ויבוא יעקב שלם כו’. וגם זה אמת כי בודאי יעקב אע”ה בעצמו …
תר"מ(1879)
Return to the Land as Sabbath· Essay 1
In the verse, “And Jacob came whole… and he encamped before the city.” As stated earlier, “And Jacob went out — his splendor, his radiance, his beauty departed.” So now, the grace returned to the Land of Israel with the arrival of the right…
Angelic Protection Through Torah· Essay 2
And regarding the verse “And Jacob sent angels,” Rashi explains: actual angels. The Sefat Emet opens by noting Rashi’s comment that Jacob did not send human messengers but true angels. As it is written, “That I took … with my sword and my b…
Vayishlach תר"מ
בפסוק ויבא יעקב שלם כו’ ויחן את פני העיר. כמ”ש מקודם ויצא יעקב פנה הודה זיוה. כן עתה חזר החן על ארץ ישראל בביאת יעקב הצדיק. ובמדרש בשש צרות יצילך ובשבע לא יגע בך רע. כי ששת ימי המעשה הכנה לשבת ונקראים ימי עבודה שצריך אדם לעבוד ב…
תרמ"א(1880)
Spiritual Ascent and Angels· Essay 1
In the verse, “And Jacob sent angels before him,” and in the verse, “I am unworthy…,” and in the Midrash, “In six troubles He will save you, and in seven evil will not touch you.” We have already written elsewhere that angels, in the aspect…
Divine Assistance Beyond Merit· Essay 2
I am diminished by all the kindnesses. This implies that he feels he has no share at all in the goodness that the Creator, blessed be He, has done with him. As stated elsewhere: according to a person’s desire, so does the Creator guide him.…
Service of Heart and Soul· Essay 3
He prepared himself for a gift, for prayer, and for battle. The Sefat Emet alludes to Jacob’s threefold preparation upon meeting Esau, understanding each mode as a spiritual stance: offering, supplication, and struggle. This reflects the as…
Vayishlach תרמ"א
בפסוק וישלח יעקב מלאכים לפניו ובפסוק קטנתי כו’ ובמדרש בשש צרות יצילך ובשבע לא יגע בך רע. כי כבר כתבנו במ”א ענין המלאכים שבבחי’ הלבוש הם גדולים מאדם שגוף האדם הוא גשמיי. אבל פנימיות נשמת האדם הוא גבוה מהמלאכים כאומרם מי גדו…
תרמ"ב(1881)
Jacob’s Humility and Divine Elevation· Essay 1
In the Midrash it is said: “I am small — I am unworthy,” and another opinion says, “I am worthy,” etc. And it is difficult: if so, what does “I am small” mean? Only that the meaning is that because of the abundance of kindnesses that the Ho…
Vayishlach תרמ"ב
במדרש קטנתי איני כדאי וחד אמר כדאי אני כו’. וקשה א”כ מאי קטנתי. רק הפירוש לפי רוב החסדים שעשה עמו השי”ת הוא קטן כענין שנאמר וסביביו נשערה מאוד. והעומדין לפניו ית’ במרום אין להם כלל מציאות בפ”ע מגודל הביטול אליו…
תרמ"ג(1882)
Jacob as Embodied Shabbat· Essay 1
Sefat Emet, Genesis, Vayishlach 13:3
Jacob’s Transformation to Israel· Essay 2
And in the Midrash: “He was afraid lest he kill, and distressed lest he be killed,” alluding to the above. For he feared that if he were to distance himself from him completely, Esau might be pushed away because of him. And if he drew close…
Perpetual Readiness for Prayer· Essay 3
In the verse, “And Jacob said: God of my father.” It is not written in the language of prayer, for he did not need to change himself, since he was always prepared in the aspect of service of the heart, which is prayer. And this is what is m…
Vayishlach תרמ"ג
במדרש ויבא יעקב שלם בשש צרות יצילך ובשבע לא יגע בך רע. והוא בחי’ ששת ימי המעשה וכפי העבודה בהם כך זוכין להארת השבת שאין בו שום מגע נכרי. ובודאי בחי’ יעקב אבינו מצד עצמו הי’ כולו שבת כמ”ש ת”ח נק’ שבת. שיש …
תרמ"ד(1883)
Holding bitachon and prayer together· Essay 1
In the Midrash: the chosen one among the Avos and among the Nevi'im — the Holy One promised them [protection], and yet they were afraid. The Midrash observes a striking thing: Yaakov, the choicest of the Avos, and Moshe, the choicest of the…
Spiritual Roots of Conflict· Essay 2
On the verse, “And he ran to meet him … and he kissed him.” The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Torah’s description of Esau running toward Jacob and kissing him. Our sages interpreted that he sought to bite him. The midrashic reading suggest…
Shabbat Grace and Sacred Presence· Essay 3
On the verse, “And Jacob came whole, and he encamped before the city,” our sages expounded that he established boundaries, etc. The Sefat Emet cites the rabbinic teaching that Jacob enacted halachic boundaries upon arriving, indicating inte…
תרמ"ה(1884)
Spiritual Warfare and the Patriarchs· Essay 1
He prepared himself for a gift, for war, and for prayer. The Sefat Emet opens by naming Jacob’s threefold preparation, which becomes a model for spiritual struggle. These are the three matters that every person needs in serving the Holy One…
Divine Flow Through Jacob· Essay 3
And our sages expounded the verse “and He called him”: the Holy One, blessed be He, called Jacob “El,” saying, “You are a godliness among the lower realms.” For “calling” is a term of appointment, as stated in the Talmud: “And God called th…
Forgotten Hatred and Divine Memory· Essay 4
In the Midrash on the sending of the angels, it brings the verse, “One who seizes a dog by the ears.” He was asleep, and you awakened him, etc. It seems that the Sages learned this from the verse that says, “and he forgot … what you did to …
תרמ"ו(1885)
Dual Camps of Chesed and Truth· Essay 1
In the verse, “I am diminished by all the kindnesses… and the truth… to two camps.” The Sefat Emet opens by referring to Jacob’s statement that he has been humbled by God’s kindness and truth, which he connects to the division into two camp…
Shabbat Grace and Inner Light· Essay 3
The verse states, “And Jacob came whole… and he encamped… before the city,” and the Midrash teaches that he kept Shabbat even before it was given. We have already written on this, as it is said: “When the righteous one is in the city, he is…
תרמ"ז(1886)
Shabbat as Hidden Light· Essay 1
In the Midrash it is said regarding “and he camped before the city” that Jacob established boundaries, meaning that he guarded the Sabbath, and so our sages said: Jacob, of whom Sabbath observance is mentioned, inherited the world beyond me…
Jacob’s Prayer and Descendants· Essay 2
Concerning the prayer of Jacob, may peace be upon him. The Sefat Emet opens by focusing on the deeper meaning behind Jacob’s prayer. For it is written, “And he was distressed,” and it is written, “Lest he come … to the children,” and, “But …
תרמ"ח(1887)
Jacob’s Dual Spiritual Identity· Essay 1
Sefat Emet, Genesis, Vayishlach 18:3
Truth of Jacob and Shabbat· Essay 2
In the verse “And he wrestled…” up to “the rising of dawn,” our sages taught that they raised dust up to the Throne of Glory. For the form of Jacob is engraved beneath the Throne of Glory, as it is written, “You give truth to Jacob.” And th…
Receiving the Gift of Shabbat· Essay 3
In the Midrash: “And he encamped before the city” — he arrived on Friday near nightfall and established the Shabbat boundaries, etc. “And he encamped” implies that he brought rest, for the radiance of Shabbat depends on those who guard Shab…
Covenant’s Spiritual Imprint· Essay 4
Regarding the matter of the incident of Shechem: Rashi explains that “to be circumcised” means “that they should become circumcised.” And this is so, because the ultimate purpose of circumcision is that a mark of this covenant should remain…
תרמ"ט(1888)
Inner Well of the Tzadik· Essay 1
In the Midrash it is said: “A muddied spring and a corrupted source — just as it is impossible for a spring to become muddied or a source to be corrupted, so it is impossible for a righteous person to fall before a wicked one. And just as a…
Trust in Divine Protection· Essay 2
In the verse, “And You said: I will surely do good with you.” The Sefat Emet opens by citing God’s promise to Jacob that He will indeed bestow goodness upon him. But it is difficult: if so, why was he afraid? The promise seems to contradict…
Shabbat as Eternal Truth· Essay 3
In the Midrash it is taught that our father Abraham, in whom the guarding of Shabbat is not written, inherited the land in measure; whereas Jacob, about whom it is written “and he encamped before the city,” meaning that he established bound…
תר"נ(1889)
Divine Closeness and Jacob’s Legacy· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “And Jacob was left alone.” “There is none like the God of Jeshurun…” “Who is like the God of Jeshurun… who is among you…” What the Holy One, blessed be He, is destined to do, He has already done in part in this world throug…
Shabbat as Inner Completion· Essay 2
And in the Midrash: “And Jacob came whole… In six troubles He will save you, and in seven no harm shall touch you.” We have already written that the six troubles correspond to the six weekdays. And Shabbat is the day of rest in which no mix…
תרנ"א(1890)
תרנ"ב(1891)
Spiritual Duality of Jacob and Israel· Essay 1
“With Laban I dwelled, and afterward until now.” The Sefat Emet opens by interpreting Jacob’s words to Esau, understanding them as describing two stages of spiritual development—what came “afterward” until the present moment. As it is writt…
Holiness of the Land· Essay 2
On the verse, “And he encamped before the city,” etc. The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on Jacob’s act of settling near the city, understanding it as an entry into the spiritual nature of the land. It is taught: “A place has charm for its i…
תרנ"ג(1892)
Spiritual Ascent from Animal to Human· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘And Jacob traveled to Sukkot and built himself a house…’” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining Jacob’s journey to Sukkot as an allegory for spiritual construction. “As it is written: ‘Prepare your work outside.’” This teaches …
Inner Light of Shabbat· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘And he encamped before the city.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on Jacob’s encampment and its inner meaning. “And we have already written elsewhere that just as when the tzaddik leaves a city it is written ‘and he went …
תרנ"ד(1893)
Soul Over Body Spiritual Ascent· Essay 1
On the verse “With Laban I dwelled,” Rashi comments: I did not become a prince or important person, only a stranger; another explanation: I kept the 613 commandments. The Sefat Emet begins by citing Rashi’s two interpretations—social humili…
Temporary and Eternal Dwelling· Essay 2
“And it is written: And Jacob traveled to Sukkot and built himself a house…” The Sefat Emet begins by noting Jacob’s two constructions—a house and sukkot—as spiritually significant symbols. There is a dispute in the Talmud whether a s…
Balancing Truth in Spiritual Struggle· Essay 3
“On the verse ‘And he was afraid and distressed,’ and in the Midrash: ‘The choicest of the prophets and the choicest of the patriarchs were afraid…’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that both Jacob and the greatest spiritual figures experie…
Jacob’s Cosmic Struggle· Essay 4
“In the verse ‘and he wrestled… until the rise of dawn,’ our Sages said that they raised dust up to the Throne of Glory.” The Sefat Emet opens by explaining the Midrash that the struggle between Jacob and the angel stirred ‘dust’ reaching t…
תרנ"ה(1894)
תרנ"ו(1895)
תרנ"ז(1896)
Jacob, Justice, and Mercy· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘I am diminished by all the kindnesses… truth… save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that Jacob’s plea reflects both kindness and truth, and his request for res…
Spiritual Mission and Divine Identity· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘And God appeared again to Jacob … your name is Jacob … Israel shall be your name.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that God’s second appearance to Jacob establishes the shift from ‘Jacob’ to ‘Israel.’ “For a person’s name c…
תרנ"ח(1897)
Soul Refinement through Mitzvot· Essay 1
“With Laban I dwelled, and afterward until now.” Jacob’s words introduce the Sefat Emet’s framework of spiritual stages achieved through his life journey. I have already written elsewhere on the phrase “Back and front You have formed me, an…
Truth as Divine Connection· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘I am unworthy…’ and ‘from all the truth…’.” The Sefat Emet introduces his reading of Jacob’s words, focusing on the theme of truth. As it is written: “You give truth to Jacob,” and this is a gift from heaven, for this world i…
Jacob’s Spiritual Integration· Essay 3
Further on the above verse: “I am humbled by all the kindnesses and all the truth.” He begins by explaining Jacob’s statement as an expression of smallness before the divine attributes that he has received. For Abraham embodied kindness, Is…
תרנ"ט(1898)
Jacob’s Mission and Eternity· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘Not Jacob… but Israel.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the change of name signifies a change of identity and mission. “For a person’s name is connected to the mission for which he is sent. A human is called one who ‘m…
Shabbat as Divine Protection· Essay 2
In the Midrash: “And Jacob came whole — in six troubles He will save you, and in seven evil will not touch you.” The Sefat Emet begins by linking Jacob’s arrival “whole” with the verse promising protection through all stages of struggle, hi…
Sanctity of Shabbat Space· Essay 3
It is stated in the Midrash that Jacob, about whom it is written that he kept Shabbat, “and he encamped before the city”—meaning he established Shabbat boundaries—thereby merited to inherit the land without measure. The Sefat Emet opens by …
תרס"א(1900)
Truth Rooted in Life· Essay 1
“And he was afraid and distressed, lest he kill others.” The Sefat Emet explains Jacob’s distress as fear not only of being harmed but of harming others, revealing his deep attachment to the attribute of truth and life. As it is written: “G…
Conversion Through Covenant· Essay 2
“In the verse: A nation and a congregation of nations shall come from you.” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the blessing to Jacob and reads it as containing a deeper allusion. It seems possible to interpret this as referring to the dra…
תרס"ב(1901)
Inner vs. Outer Mitzvah Practice· Essay 1
“On the verse ‘With Laban I dwelled,’ our sages said: ‘I kept all 613 commandments.’” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining why Jacob hints to his mitzvah‑observance through the phrase “I dwelled with Laban,” teaching that even in exile and i…
Shabbat Inner Protection· Essay 2
“And in the Midrash: ‘In six troubles He will save you,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash that speaks of divine rescue in six forms of suffering. “This refers to the aspect of the body, which requires deliverance; and in th…
Dual Paths of Good and Evil· Essay 3
“In the verse ‘Save me… from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau.’” He begins by noting Jacob’s double plea for salvation, emphasizing two distinct dangers represented by Esau. “The commentators explained that he sought to be save…
תרס"ג(1902)
Jacob’s Spiritual Legacy· Essay 1
As stated above: “I dwelled with Laban” — I kept the 613 commandments. The Sefat Emet explains that Jacob’s words hint that even in exile he maintained full mitzvah‑observance. These are the rectification of the body, for mitzvot can only b…
Spiritual Struggle and Redemption· Essay 2
“On the verse ‘And a man wrestled with him until dawn,’ the Sages taught that they raised dust with their feet up to the Throne of Glory.” The Sefat Emet begins by expanding the midrash: the struggle between Jacob and the angel stirs “dust”…
תרס"ד(1903)
תרס"ה(1904)
2 more essays from this section await translation.