Fwd: Essence vs. Exile

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman <webadmin@kehotpublicationsociety.ccsend.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 2, 2025, 8:20 AM
Subject: Essence vs. Exile
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

I S S U E 853 Vayigash / January 2, 2025 / Tevet 2, 5785 Dear Friend, We are pleased to present an insight by the Rebbe on parshat Vayigash from our Daily Wisdom by Rabbi Moshe Wisnefsky Essence vs. Exile These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Jacob's firstborn was Reuben. (Gen. 46:8) We are taught that the oppression of our people in Egypt could not begin as long as any of Jacob's family who originally emigrated to Egypt remained alive. This is alluded to by the fact that, as it begins the account of Jacob's family stay in Egypt, the Torah reviews the names of the family members – even though it has already told us their names previously. Mentioning their names again highlights how G-d cherished each one of them, just as someone who possesses a prized collection of something frequently inspects it, attentively examining each item separately. Moreover, a person's name is their connection to their inner essence. We see that when we call a person by their name, their whole self is summoned to attention, and can even be revived from a fainting spell. Thus, by reviewing their names in this context, G-d was connecting Jacob's family to their inner, Divine essence, which can never be subject to "exile," that is, be constrained by any force or representative of nature. Today, as well, by cultivating a conscious connection to our Divine essence, we can remain free and independent of any servitude to the forces of nature, and realize our Divine potential to its fullest. -- Daily Wisdom Volume 3 May G-d grant resounding victory and peace in the Holy Land. Gut Shabbos, Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman Kehot Publication Society Please donate to our current campaigns. Throughout the years of his leadership, the Rebbe would issue a message to the public, in connection with the major festivals on the Jewish calendar-the High Holidays and Passover. In some years, the Rebbe issued messages prior to other Jewish festivals as well. Here the Rebbe addresses foundational themes in Jewish thought about our purpose and responsibilities as Jews, and articulates them in layman's terms, underscoring the relevance of these ideas today. The Rebbe penned the letters in Yiddish, which in turn, were translated into English and Hebrew, all to be reviewed by the Rebbe before their release. This two-volume set contains the English translations of these letters, as reviewed by the Rebbe.

Kehot Publication Society | 291 Kingston Ave. | Brooklyn, NY 11213 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice