Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Vayishlach

The Rebbe says:

1. In this week’s Torah portion Hashem (G-d) tells Yakov Avinu (Jacob our Forefather) that his name would no longer be called “Yakov” (Jacob), it would now be called “Yisroel” (Israel).

2. As the preface to a question, the Rebbe now quotes the Talmud which discusses this verse:

The Talmud tells us that whoever calls our Forefather Avraham “Avram” (which was his original name), transgresses on the verse, “And your name shall no longer be called ‘Avram’; it shall henceforth be called ‘Avraham’ ”.

The Talmud then goes on to ask, “Why does this rule not also apply to Yakov Avinu? Why is it that we can still call Yakov Avinu “Yakov” even after Hashem told him, “No longer will your name be Yakov, but Yisroel will be your name”?

Crime of Silence – Passivity Vs Political Correctness

“Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict… (Dorothy Thompson).”

“In this very real world, good doesn’t drive out evil. Evil doesn’t drive out good. But the energetic displaces the passive (William Bernbach).”

Having become increasingly committed to Torah Judaism, a woman once lamented in bemusement: “Rabbi, will my moral conflicts ever end? I had hoped, in embracing Judaism, to no longer struggle with issues of moral substance.” After all, is that not what Judaism is about? Yet, it had not turned out that way in the least,” she proceeded in exasperation, “To the contrary; my struggles have become considerably amplified.”

Halacha and the Parasha: The Benefit of a Bechor

In this weeks Parasha – Vayishlach we dicuss the benefits of a Bechor [the first born].