Thanks! I needed that!

Zemmy, that was my chassidus before davening. Now I can face the RBSO despite my recent tantrums and run-ins with good people of this forum.
Thanks so much for holding up a mirror to my face.

Glad you liked!

(i hope you realize they are not my own)

I don't care who made the mirror, you're the one holding it up

gevaldig

worth repeating
ZemirosShabbos wrote on 28 Oct 2010 14:53:

Parshas Toldos

Veyitain veyachzor veyitain. Why twice?

Ba'al aveida mechazer achar aveidaso. Ta'isi ke'seh oved. The yidden are the aveidah of the RBSO.

The bracha was that the RBSO should give. And even yidden who aren't worthy or even aware of their need to receive we ask that He seek us out (veyachzor) and bring us to Him and redeem us.

Aish Kodesh - Piascezna 1940

Parshas Vayetzei

Why did lavan tell Yaakov all about the dream he had wherein the RBSO came to him and warned him not to harm Yaakov, isn't that reinforcing Yaakov's position? why would he undermine himself?

Lavan was bursting with pride that the RBSO Himself spoke to him and could not help but tell the first person he met all about it...

Rebbe Yecheskel MiKuzmir in Siach Sarfei Kodesh

Parshas Vayetzei

וירא ה' כי שנואה לאה ויפתח את רחמה

The Midrash explains that 's'nua Leah' refers to the actions of Esav that were despicable in her eyes.

Chazal tell us that the Avos and Imahos were barren because the RBSO desired their tefilos. Since Leah would constantly pray to be saved from the clutches of Esav there was no need to take further measures in order for her to be mispallel. That is why she had children with ease, as opposed to Rochel.

Kedushas Levi

nice!

Parshas Vayetzei

ויאהב גם את רחל מלאה

Yaakov had a special affection for Rochel, in addition to her own ma'alos, because she was the indirect cause for him to marry Leah, a true tzadeikes. vaye'ehav gam ess Rochel, he had additional affection for Rochel, mi'Leah, because Rochel was instrumental in Yaakov marrying Leah.

Kedushas Levi

Parshas Vayishlach

Vayizrach lo hashemesh vehu tzolay'a al yeraicho

The sun is associated with healing. וזרחה לכם יראי שמי שמש צדקה ומרפא בכנפיה

The beginning of healing and it's inescapable gateway is an awareness of your flaws. The sun rose, a healing agent, and yet Yakov was limping. That awareness of his impairment was the beginning of healing.

Based on Tiferes Shlomo

Parshas Vayeshev

ZemirosShabbos wrote on 24 Nov 2010 15:56:


this idea is quoted in Siach Sarfei Kodesh in the name of the Kotzker Rebbe

mikeitz?
[shtreimel-kaffiyeh? ;)]

Parshas Mikeitz

the Shiltei Giborim on Meseches Shabbos writes a famous remez to Chanuka found in parshas Mikeitz, וטבוח טבח והכן, the word ‹vehachen› and the ches from the word ‹tevach› spell chanuka. last year my daughter found another remez, where Yehuda says ונלכה ונחיה, the last two letters of ‹venailaichah› and the first three of the word ‹venichye› spell chanuka.

Possibly a way to understand this remez and how it can be a message for us.

Chazal say that certain areas need an approach of שמאל דוחה וימין מקרב.
A person must be able to pace himself, to constantly strive for higher and better, yet at the same time to appreciate and consolidate the progress made thus far. Chanuka is a lashon of chinuch, training. We constantly train ourselves.  Sometimes we need to apply a dose of טבוח טבח והכן, meaning what we did was not satisfactory and it is only a preparation. At other times we need a dose of ונלכה ונחיה, meaning we are on the right track and we are attaining true life.