The Avos & Zechus Avos
זכות אבותThe merit of the fathers — the inheritance planted by the Avos in their children. The Sfas Emes on zechus avos.
221 essays
Bereishit
Noach
Lech Lecha
- The shield of Avraham and the inner pointLech Lecha · תרל"ה · Essay 3
- Avraham's service rooted in his childrenLech Lecha · תרל"ו · Essay 2
- Avraham as the world's foundationLech Lecha · תרל"ז · Essay 5
- Lech Lecha תרל"חLech Lecha · תרל"ח
- The tzaddik sustains and blesses the worldLech Lecha · תרל"ח · Essay 1
- Avraham stitched the world to its rootLech Lecha · תרמ"ב · Essay 1
- Avos imprint Godliness in every JewLech Lecha · תרמ"ח · Essay 1
- Seeking the hidden Director of creationLech Lecha · תרנ"ב · Essay 1
- The merit of the Avos in tefillahLech Lecha · תרנ"ה · Essay 2
- Zechus Avos sustains Israel through galusLech Lecha · תרס"ד · Essay 2
Vayeira
- Deeds of the Avos reach all generationsVayeira · תרל"ד · Essay 4
- Earning brachah through one's deedsVayeira · תרל"ו · Essay 3
- Graduated path to mesirus nefeshVayeira · תרל"ז · Essay 2
- Chesed precedes and tempers judgmentVayeira · תר"מ · Essay 2
- Avos transmit daas to future generationsVayeira · תרמ"א · Essay 3
- The Akeidah as an eternal foundationVayeira · תרמ"ב · Essay 2
- Three modes of Avraham's prayerVayeira · תרמ"ח · Essay 3
- Avos as vessels of madreigos for Bnei YisraelVayeira · תרנ"א · Essay 2
- Akeidah unites chesed and gevurahVayeira · תרנ"ב · Essay 3
- Avraham's trials withstood through loveVayeira · תר"ס · Essay 2
- The Avos' yearning planted within usVayeira · תרס"א · Essay 2
- The Akeidah oath as the unearned light of ShabbosVayeira · תרס"א · Essay 3
- Bittul of middos before truthVayeira · תרס"ב · Essay 3
Chayei Sarah
- Light Learned from Servants' SpeechChayei Sarah · תרמ"א · Essay 2
- Whole years and life's appointed purposeChayei Sarah · תרמ"ה · Essay 1
- Chayei Sarah תרמ"ה 3Chayei Sarah · תרמ"ה · Essay 3
- The Avos and the three daily tefillosChayei Sarah · תרמ"ז · Essay 3
- Bakol: the inner point of all-encompassing blessingChayei Sarah · תרמ"ח · Essay 2
- Earned chesed versus unearned giftsChayei Sarah · תרמ"ח · Essay 3
- Avos drew life from the Tree of LifeChayei Sarah · תר"נ · Essay 1
- The three levels of blessing in the AvosChayei Sarah · תרנ"א · Essay 2
- The Avos: whole years containing all timeChayei Sarah · תרנ"ג · Essay 1
- Enduring blessing flows through the AvosChayei Sarah · תרנ"ה · Essay 1
- Adding the mundane into Shabbos holinessChayei Sarah · תרנ"ה · Essay 2
- The Avos awaken teshuvah; din yields to chesedChayei Sarah · תרנ"ח · Essay 2
- The Avos rectifying time through tefillahChayei Sarah · תרס"א - תרס"ב · Essay 1
- Sarah's unchanging soul unites both worldsChayei Sarah · תרס"א - תרס"ב · Essay 6
- The blessing of kol as yearning for HashemChayei Sarah · תרס"ד · Essay 2
Toldot
- The inner Avraham-point in every JewToldot · תרל"ב · Essay 2
- Yirah born from ahavah is trueToldot · תרל"ד · Essay 1
- Toldot תרל"וToldot · תרל"ו
- Each tzaddik digs his own pathToldot · תרל"ו · Essay 1
- Love and awe as wings for TorahToldot · תרל"ו · Essay 4
- Two paths of avodah: love and gevurahToldot · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Opposition strengthens holinessToldot · תר"מ · Essay 1
- Serving Yaakov as Esav's true tikkunToldot · תרמ"ג · Essay 1
- Din born from the power of chesedToldot · תרמ"ד · Essay 1
- Three Wells of the PatriarchsToldot · תרמ"ו · Essay 1
- Jacob's Mercy Sustaining AbrahamToldot · תרמ"ח · Essay 2
- Patriarchs Preparing Israel's SoulToldot · תרמ"ט · Essay 3
- Wells of hidden Torah opened by the AvosToldot · תר"נ · Essay 1
- Yitzchak's Three Wells and the Middos of the AvosToldot · תרנ"ד · Essay 1
- The soul as a hidden living wellspringToldot · תרנ"ז · Essay 1
- Yitzchak's judgment is deeper chessedToldot · תרנ"ח · Essay 1
- Yaakov's truth transcends nature, an endless inheritanceToldot · תרנ"ט · Essay 1
- Earning blessing and finding Hashem in the physicalToldot · תרנ"ט · Essay 3
- The Avos drawing divine wisdom from creationToldot · תרס"א · Essay 1
Vayetzei
- Three flocks as threefold avodahVayetzei · תר"מ · Essay 2
- Yaakov, Shabbos, and the well of blessingVayetzei · תרמ"ו · Essay 1
- The Avos' deeds prepared for receiving TorahVayetzei · תרמ"ו · Essay 2
- Yaakov's vow as preparation for generationsVayetzei · תרמ"ח · Essay 2
- Three Daily Prayers of RenewalVayetzei · תרמ"ט · Essay 1
- Yaakov's ladder as Torah ascentVayetzei · תרנ"ו · Essay 1
- Three Avos, Three Prayers, Three FlocksVayetzei · תרנ"ו · Essay 2
Vayishlach
Vayeshev
Chanukah
Vayigash
Vayechi
- Spiritual Awakening and BlessingVayechi · תרל"ג · Essay 3
- Vayechi תר"מVayechi · תר"מ
- The Growth of Israel’s SoulVayechi · תר"מ · Essay 1
- Vayechi תרמ"דVayechi · תרמ"ד
- Vayechi תרמ"וVayechi · תרמ"ו
- Vayechi תרמ"זVayechi · תרמ"ז
- Daily Awakening of Jacob’s SpiritVayechi · תרנ"ג · Essay 1
- Daily Redemption and Divine ProvisionVayechi · תרנ"ה · Essay 1
- Divine Will in the TribesVayechi · תרס"א · Essay 3
Shemot
Vaeira
- Va'era 5632 תרל"בVaeira · תרל"ב
- Revealing Hidden Godliness Through NatureVaeira · תרל"ב · Essay 1
- Va'era 5634 תרל"דVaeira · תרל"ד
- Finding Holy Sparks in NatureVaeira · תרל"ד · Essay 1
- Va'era 5637 תרל"זVaeira · תרל"ז
- Forefathers Perfecting the Created WorldVaeira · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Unbroken Chain of ForefathersVaeira · תרל"ז · Essay 4
- Va'era 5638 תרל"חVaeira · תרל"ח
- Finding Godliness Through TorahVaeira · תרל"ח · Essay 1
- Va'era 5639 תרל"טVaeira · תרל"ט
- Va'era 5640 תר"מVaeira · תר"מ
- Ten Utterances of CreationVaeira · תר"מ · Essay 1
- Va'era 5641 תרמ"אVaeira · תרמ"א
- Finding Divinity Within NatureVaeira · תרמ"א · Essay 1
- Voice and Speech in PrayerVaeira · תרמ"ג · Essay 1
- Sanctifying Hashem Through ExileVaeira · תרמ"ה · Essay 2
- Faith Overcoming Natural ConcealmentVaeira · תרמ"ט · Essay 1
- Patriarchs Planting Faith in IsraelVaeira · תר"נ · Essay 1
- Israel Refining a Mixed WorldVaeira · תר"נ · Essay 2
- Patriarchs Preparing the LandVaeira · תרנ"א · Essay 1
- Torah as Boundless FreedomVaeira · תרנ"ו · Essay 1
- Justice Tempered by MercyVaeira · תרס"ג · Essay 1
Bo
- Greatness Hidden by ExileBo · תרל"ז · Essay 2
- Renewal Through Torah RevelationBo · תרמ"ג · Essay 1
- Elevating Holy Sparks UpwardBo · תרמ"ג · Essay 3
- Ancestral Roots of DeedsBo · תרמ"ד · Essay 2
- Becoming One Bundle Through AncestorsBo · תרנ"ה · Essay 2
- Returning to the Patriarchs' RootsBo · תרס"א · Essay 2
Beshalach
Yitro
- Yisro תרל"חYitro · תרל"ח
- Yisro Breaking the NationsYitro · תרל"ח · Essay 1
- Torah as Strengthening RefugeYitro · תרל"ח · Essay 2
- Torah as the Third RenewalYitro · תרמ"ב · Essay 1
- Torah recaptured: refining holy sparks belowYitro · תרנ"ג · Essay 2
- Torah received as both gift and earned acquisitionYitro · תרנ"ח · Essay 2
Terumah
- Moshe as eternal broker of the TorahTerumah · תרמ"ו · Essay 2
- Menorah, Shabbos, and the Torah's lettersTerumah · תרנ"ג · Essay 1
- Three modes of receiving the TorahTerumah · תרנ"ד · Essay 2
- Torah inheritance restored through unity and ShabbosTerumah · תרנ"ח · Essay 1
- Torah as Moshe's inherited giftTerumah · תרס"ג · Essay 2
Tetzaveh
Zachor
Purim
Vayakhel
HaChodesh
Shabbat HaGadol
Pesach
- Redemption Through Earned MeritPesach · תרל"א · Essay 17
- Shabbat as Inherited HolinessPesach · תרל"ז · Essay 7
- Exodus as Foundation for All RedemptionPesach · תר"מ · Essay 1
- Enduring Power of RedemptionPesach · תרמ"א · Essay 3
- Redemption Through Our Own MeritPesach · תרמ"ז · Essay 1
- Divine Redemption Beyond AngelsPesach · תרנ"ה-תרנ"ו · Essay 5
- Festivals and Spiritual AwakeningPesach · תרנ"ה-תרנ"ו · Essay 8
- Divine Mercy Beyond JusticePesach · תרנ"ה-תרנ"ו · Essay 10
- Heritage Awakening Through RedemptionPesach · תרנ"ח · Essay 5
- Festivals Reveal Divine PresencePesach · תרס"ב · Essay 10
- Passover’s Divine LeapPesach · תרס"ג · Essay 8
Shmini
Emor
Bechukotai
Bamidbar
- Bittul to the root through humility and emunahBamidbar · תרל"א · Essay 2
- Leaping to holiness through the AvosBamidbar · תרל"ד · Essay 2
- Rooted in the Avos, blessed without limitBamidbar · תרל"ד · Essay 3
- The banners and cleaving above one's levelBamidbar · תרל"ה · Essay 4
- Bnei Yisrael's governance above natureBamidbar · תרמ"ז · Essay 2
- Hidden and revealed unite in YisraelBamidbar · תרמ"ח · Essay 1
- Each Jew's unique knowledge of HashemBamidbar · תר"נ · Essay 1
- Inner and outer rectifications of the Avos and MosheBamidbar · תר"נ · Essay 2
- Bnei Yisrael as Hashem's hostsBamidbar · תרנ"א · Essay 1
Shavuot
Naso
Beha'alotcha
Shlach
Chukat
Balak
Pinchas
Masei
Devarim
Vaetchanan
Eikev
- Emunah Strengthens Heavenly MercyEikev · תרל"ה · Essay 1
- Merit Of The AvosEikev · תרל"ט · Essay 3
- Three Avos Three LevelsEikev · תר"מ · Essay 2
- Earning Merit Versus GiftEikev · תרמ"א · Essay 1
- Eternal Gifts For GenerationsEikev · תרמ"ז · Essay 2
- Eretz Yisrael As GiftEikev · תרמ"ט · Essay 2
- Earning Eretz Yisrael OurselvesEikev · תרנ"א · Essay 2
- Blessing Untouched By EvilEikev · תרנ"ט · Essay 1
- Mitzvos Build Future RewardEikev · תרס"ג · Essay 1
- Reward Secondary To MitzvosEikev · תרס"ד · Essay 2
Re'eh
Nitzavim
Rosh Hashanah
- Rosh Hashanah as the year's rootRosh Hashanah · תרנ"ג · Essay 2
- Rosh Hashanah's judgment transformed into meritRosh Hashanah · תרנ"ט · Essay 2
- The Shofar, the Straight Path, and the AvosRosh Hashanah · תרס"ב · Essay 4
- Shofar draws down the world of freedomRosh Hashanah · תרס"ד · Essay 3
- The shofar awakens the covenant of deveikusRosh Hashanah · תרס"ה · Essay 2
Shabbat Shuva
Sukkot
- Torah as inheritance and giftSukkot · תרל"ב · Essay 4
- Torah as inheritance earned through self-refinementSukkot · תרל"ה · Essay 9
- Accepting the yoke of Torah with joySukkot · תרל"ז · Essay 14
- Torah's blessing that bears fruit withinSukkot · תרמ"ב · Essay 18
- Shemini Atzeres and the renewing inheritance of TorahSukkot · תרמ"ח · Essay 9
- Inherited yearning of the Avos through the sukkahSukkot · תר"נ · Essay 1
- Drawing the light of Yom Tov into the yearSukkot · תר"נ · Essay 7
- Written and Oral Torah as inheritanceSukkot · תר"נ · Essay 10
- Aharon's teshuvah and the Clouds of GlorySukkot · תרנ"א · Essay 7
- The sukkah as the sojourner's teshuvahSukkot · תרנ"ב · Essay 1
- From hyssop to four species: chesed earned through deedsSukkot · תרנ"ד ותרנ"ו · Essay 6
- The willow of simple faith and inherited minhagSukkot · תרנ"ד ותרנ"ו · Essay 7
- Torah as inheritance and betrothalSukkot · תרנ"ד ותרנ"ו · Essay 13
- Souls of Yisrael as vessels for Torah's lightSukkot · תרנ"ה · Essay 6
- Torah reveals the Shechinah everywhereSukkot · תרס"ב · Essay 13
- The fragrance of holiness in every JewSukkot · תרס"ד · Essay 2
- The lowly willow and humilitySukkot · תרס"ה · Essay 4