Vayechi Videos

Itche and Jono trade places for a day. Hilarity ensues.

It would be helpful to know the date of the final Redemption. But the Redemption would not be perfect were it brought about with such help. (“Parsha Perks” with Dr Michael Chighel | Vayechi)

A lesson from Jacob's blessing to his grandson Efraim.

Sometimes we see it coming. We warn our spouse or child, and they proceed to mess up. Isn’t this the time for tough love reprimand, to point out their errors? Learn how to most effectively support and rebuild the person who did wrong.

Topics include: a mystical reason for why tefillin are made of leather, the connection between Jacob and Rabbi Akiba, and why Jacob did not bless two of his twelve sons.

The story of Jacob teaches us how to give meaning to the fleeting moments in life.

The Torah concludes the book of Genesis with the death of Joseph and the fact that he was interned - actually placed in the Nile - in Egypt. Yet we are enjoined by Torah to conclude a Torah subject on a positive note?! The answer sheds new light on both the end and beginning of the first book of the Torah. (Likutei Sichos vol. 30, talk 3)

Before his passing, Jacob blessed his sons. His youngest son, Benjamin, is praised and blessed: "Benjamin, like a wolf snatches his prey." Strange as this blessing appears on the surface, Rashi's explanations leaves us even more bewildered. This talk will illuminate Rashi's commentary and deliver a powerful message for our times. (Likutei Sichos, vol. 25)

How Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehudah represent four different phases we experience as we go through the order of the morning prayers: 1) Reuven—the first paragraph of Shema, 2) Shimon—the second paragraph of Shema, 3) Levi—the blessings after Shema, and 4) Yehudah—the Amidah prayer. (Based on the discourse "Yehuda Achecha Yoducha 5738.")

The Sages of the Talmud, in their debate whether one may discuss Torah while consuming a meal, address the existential quandary of whether it is better to transcend nature or conform to it. (Based on Likutei Sichos, Vol 35. Vayechi 3.)

In this week’s portion, Jacob gives his sons his last will and testament. What does Jewish law say about how to bequeath an inheritance to heirs?

Jacob’s last years, spent in Egypt were the very best of his life; filled with true satisfaction and happiness. Whilst it’s not hard to understand that being reunited with Joseph, and seeing his family united and loyal to his hallowed ideals, would be a source of profound joy; there’s something decidedly unsettling about the prime Patriarch being happiest in a place filled with pernicious immorality and spiritual corruption. The Rebbe’s final rumination on this widely discussed subject is revolutionary in its novel approach and leads us into mind-expanding Kabbalistic ideas shedding new light on the age-old question: can people change?!

The Torah portion of Vayechi, as transcribed in the sacred Torah scroll, begins without the usual marking of a new portion. Join us as we probe the meaning behind this anomaly.

"[Jacob] blessed [Ephraim and Menashe] on that day, saying: With you, Israel will bless, saying, 'May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menashe,'" (Genesis 48:20). Why do Jewish parents continue to this day to bless their children to be like these two grandsons of Jacob? An extra letter vav in the word "saying" holds the hint.

The Torah portion of Vayechi serves as a "bridge" between the book of B'reishis (Genesis) and the book of Sh'mos (Exodus.) The book of B'reishis relates the miraculous lives of our ancestors. The book of Sh'mos describes our descent into exile. It is the miraculous nature that we have inherited from our ancestors that gives us the power to survive exile. From Likutei Sichos, vol. 30, p.253

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

The parshah of Vayechi contains 85 verses and the mnemonic for it are the words ‘Peh el Peh’ (which means “mouth to mouth”). Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

Why does Jacob bless the righteous Benjamin as a wild wolf? How is this blessing a virtue? Discover a spiritual take on the positive skin-shifting traits of Binyamin.

This profound rumination about the last Patriarch’s unique final hours passes into a fascinating exploration into the custom of well-wishing one who sneezes. You’ll be shocked to discover the Torah-true origins to this seemingly superstitious practice, which then begs the question: why would an authentic Jewish practice enjoy near total universal appeal?

Up to his final terrestrial moment the Patriarch Jacob exhibits paranormal stamina, composure and clarity for a person about to pass, and in fact, a glaring scriptural omission indicates he never actually died! How on earth can that make any sense; especially as this entire portion is uniquely revolves around his death with multiple verses explicitly alluding to his demise? Finally, how was his body buried, and did it decompose? Incredible answers that tell us much about Jacob, Joseph and Tzadikim today!

Why was our matriarch Rachel buried at the roadside? This comes up in the dialogue between Yaakov and Yosef shortly before his passing, and sheds light on the great virtues of Rachel.

Jacob was adamant to be buried in Israel, unlike Joseph who remained in Egypt with his people. They embody two different methods of influence.

Can we look beyond the faults or inadequacies of another to envision what our matriarch saw?

Yaakov, Yosef and Rachel teach us 3 different paradigms in helping someone reach their goals: the visionary, the integrationist and the self-esteem builder.

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

In the fifth section of the Torah portion of Vayechi, Jacob's blessings to four of his sons are grouped together: "A troop marches forth from the tribe of Gad... The tribe of Asher will be a wellspring of olive oil... Naftali is a swift gazelle... Joseph, a robust grape vine by the spring…" All four blessings demonstrate vitality and initiative.

The Torah teaches us that Jacob’s best years were while living in Egypt during the final part of his life. Nevertheless, Jacob insisted on being taken to be interred near his parents and grandparents in the city of Hebron.

As a young child, the Tzemach Tzedek once asked the Alter Rebbe how Jacob’s best years could have been in Egypt, a land of immorality.

Why I envied the faith of a Jewish woman who claimed she was a non-believer.

Even after being reunited with his father, Joseph avoided spending very much time with him. Why? Because of the one question that Joseph feared his father would ask him.

How Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehudah represent four different phases we experience as we go through the order of the morning prayers: 1) Reuven—the first paragraph of Shema, 2) Shimon—the second paragraph of Shema, 3) Levi—the blessings after Shema, and 4) Yehudah—the Amidah prayer. (Based on the discourse "Yehuda Achecha Yoducha 5738.")

Before Jacob arrived in Egypt, he sent Judah ahead to prepare an environment of Torah. This Torah infrastructure is what enabled Judaism to flourish even in a depraved land like Egypt.