Vayeishev Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

What can we learn from dreams, and why shouldn’t we eat month-old food we find behind the fridge? Find out in this Oscar-worthy, three-minute long, Jewish puppet show.

Even the greatest judge can make a gross misjudgement if humility is lacking. (“Parsha Perks” with Dr Michael Chighel | Vayeshev)

Topics include: When Joseph was reincarnated to be martyred, why the ancestor of Moshiach was born from the union of Judah and Tamar, and how Joseph managed to resist Potiphar’s wife.

The Biblical story of Joseph’s descent into Egypt and subsequent incarceration is often read in the same week in which we celebrate the liberation from Czarist imprisonment of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of Chabad. This class will explore the link between these events and offers insight into the nature of redemption. (Likutei Sichos volume 25, Parshas Vayeishev)

Rachel's firstborn son, Joseph, being sold into slavery as a source for the mitzvah of monetarily redeeming the firstborn son of a Jewish woman.

The Torah’s narrative of Joseph provides special insight into our outlook and mission in life.

What are the meanings of Joseph's dreams which angered his brothers and caused the chain of events that ultimately caused the entire Jewish people to go into exile in Egypt?

In his commentary on Genesis 37:2, Rashi says that "Jacob dwelt" can also mean that "Jacob sought to dwell in tranquility." Is seeking tranquility and happiness an inherently valuable pursuit? Is it okay to ask G-d to help us accomplish our mission free from distractions? From Likutei Sichos, vol. 30, pp.176-183.

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The parshah of Vayeishev contains 112 verses and the mnemonic for it is the word ‘Yaabok’ (which is a name of a river). Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

In the divisive episode of Joseph and his brothers, the Torah highlights time and again the special jacket Joseph receives from his father. A deeper look uncovers how this coat captures the essence of the entire saga.

A fascinating peek behind the curtain on the biblical narrative of the outrageously salacious advances made by Potiphar’s wife as she lustfully attempted to seduce the strikingly handsome Joseph. Amazingly shedding lots of light on the true story of how he overcame this terrible temptation so propitiously.

When Jacob sends Joseph to find his brothers, he unwittingly sends him into a trap that would see Joseph sold into slavery. The Torah mentions that the place where this all happened was in Shechem, implying Shechem is a place infamous for tragedy. Or, is it?

Anger and self-pity rob us of our serenity. Bitterness and victimization blind us from seeing another’s pain.

Joseph had two dreams foretelling his ascendancy over his brothers. Both dreams came true: the ten brothers – including Benjamin – prostrated themselves to Joseph when they went down to Egypt the second time; and they prostrated again later after Jacob and Bilha joined them there.

The nineteenth of Kislev marks the release of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi from imprisonment in Czarist Russia. He was imprisoned as a result of his efforts in spreading chasidic teachings, but it was only after this that he was able to continue his work without hindrance, and with greater success and intensity.

The Torah relates how our forefather Jacob behaved when he dwelled with Laban. Overcoming all the challenging circumstances he found himself in, he remained loyal and true to serving G-d despite them. While this steadfastness was a clear demonstration of where Jacob’s true allegiance lay, it still wasn’t the true fulfilment of his potential.

Our father Jacob was victorious over many a formidable adversary in his lifetime. However, there was one source of opposition that he could not overcome.

Learning from Joseph to express love and care for your fellow.

The Torah portion begins with Jacob’s return to his father’s home, “And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojourning…These are the generations of Jacob… Following a brief overview of the different interpretations in the commentaries on this verse, we focus on Rashi’s commentary, which explains with a parable of a pearl lost in the sand. When examining nuances in the manuscript, we can attempt to better understand the precise details employed in the parable.

The Torah describes Joseph as a 'Man of Success'. By examining his exploits, as well as the story of the Alter Rebbe's arrest and liberation, this class reveals two levels of success and provides the inspiration to achieve it.

Torah language is precise and needs to be analyzed as such to get a grip on the storyline, and its profound personal lessons.

Rashi insists that the town of Timna was perched on a mountainside, which teaches us an important lesson about spiritual growth. (From Likutei Sichos vol. 10, Vayeishev sicha 2)

Archeologists recently discovered a seal or bulla of King Hezekiah near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which dates back to biblical times in the 8th century BCE. The timing of this incredible new discovery appears to have tremendous significance, and is connected to the signet ring mentioned in the Torah.

A closer look at the topic of dreams, and more specifically the prayer regarding bad dreams, which is recited during the Priestly Blessings.

Analysis of Rashi’s commentary on Yosef's dream of gathering wheat, and how it also contains the secret of our purpose as the Jewish People.

A closer look at Rashi on Yehuda traveling up to Timnah. A profound message that when it comes to spirituality, you never remain static.

The full story of Yaakov’s family following Eisav’s descendants, is compared to finding the diamond in the dirt and casting away the pebbles. Discover its deeper dimension in how to sift through the world to find ultimate meaning.

What peaceful life did Yaakov truly aspire to? A profound insight into the depth of Divine connection we can achieve in life.

Torah isn't academic, it's Divine. Intelligence isn't the key to accessing true Torah. A powerful insight from Chanukah and the pit where Yosef was cast into.

Intriguing details in the story of Yehuda and Tamar surrounding the items given for security.

Joseph teaches us how to harness our greatest powers.

In the verse (Genesis 37:4) "[Joseph's] brothers could not speak to him peaceably," the Hebrew word "shalom" (peace) is missing a letter vav. The real reason for the lack of peace between Joseph and his brothers was that they could not comprehend Joseph's view that a Jew can and must bring light into a dark world.

Ch. 37 verses 1-3: Introduction, the portion begins with an introduction to Yosef who is seventeen years old. He is a shepherd with his brothers, but he brings evil reports about them to his father. Yaakov loves him more than any of his sons, and he gives him a coat of many colors.

Ch. 37 verses 4-12: Yosef has a dream and he tells it to his brothers. This causes them to hate him even more. He has a second dream that he tells to his father and his brothers. This dream brings out the brothers' jealousy towards him. His father gets angry at him but at the same time anticipates the moment that it would come true. The brothers go to Shechem to tend their father's sheep.

Ch. 37 verses 13-22: Yaakov sends Yosef to check on his brothers and the sheep in Schechem. He finds them in Dasan. They throw him in a pit with snakes and scorpions. Reuvain convinces them not to kill him and throw him into the pit, thinking that he would come back later and save him.

Ch. 37 verses 23-36: The brothers throw Yosef into a pit and then decide to sell him to the Yishmalites who would sell him in Egypt. They dip his coat of many colors into the blood of a goat and present it to Yaakov asking him if he recognized it or not. He grieved for the loss of his favorite son and would not accept any consolation.

Ch. 38 verses 1-25: Two of Yehuda's children die while being married to Tamar. Yehuda tells her that she should wait for his third son to become older and then he would marry her, but it was only a ruse. After Yehuda's wife dies, Tamar disguises herself as a harlot, waits for him on the road, and seduces him. She takes three items from him as surety for payment of her services. Tamar conceives twins and he wants to put her to death because of her harlotry.

Ch. 38 verses 26-30, Ch. 39 verses 1-23: Continues with Yehuda's admission that he was the one who had impregnated Tamar. She gives birth to twins. Chp. 39 returns to the story of Yosef being sold into slavery. He is successful in his masters house and Hashem is with him in all that he does. His masters wife tries to seduce him and when he refuses, she accuses him of rape. He is sent to the royal prison. Hashem is with him even there and he finds favor in the warden's eyes and he is in charge of everything that goes on in the prison.