Vayechi Audio Classes

A five minute weekly Torah insight based on the wellsprings of Torah and Chassidut.

Experience the gems of the Parshah with the classic commentaries, and a kabbalistic twist.

Chp.48 verses 10 -20: Yosef places his two sons between the knees of his father so that he can bless them. He places Manasseh, the first born, on his right and Ephraim, youngest, on his left. Yaakov crosses his hands so that his right hand is on the youngest and his left hand on the eldest. Yosef protests but Yaakov insists that he knows what he is doing. He blesses his grandsons with the famous blessing used to this day to bless Jewish boys.

“Jacob called for his sons and said, ‘Gather and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days'”. Rashi explains: He attempted to reveal when Moshiach would come, but the Shechinah (Divine Presence) withdrew from him. So he began to say other things.

A five minute weekly Torah thought based on the teachings of Chassidut.

An in depth look at the weekly Parshah based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

An in depth presentation of Chassidic teachings on the weekly Parshah.

An overview of the weekly Parshah, through the eyes of the many commentators, enriching your understanding of how our great history unfolded.

The Kabbalistic approach to the weekly Torah reading.

An advanced presentation of Chassidic teachings on the Parshah.

Get a detailed overview of the weekly Torah portion sewn together with keen insights and timely life messages.

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?

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

"[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 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.)

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.")

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.

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

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)

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.

Conventional wisdom says that the ideal place for a Jew to be buried is in the land of Israel, yet upon examining classic Torah sources, we surprisingly discover that it’s not that simple—there seems to be conflicting Torah traditions…

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?

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.

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)

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

The portion of Vayechi contains two (seemingly) conflicting components: the seventeen best years of Yaakov’s life were in Egypt and yet the parsha begins with the narrative of his passing and leading to the subsequent subjugation. The resolution is connected to the fast of Teves 10, and offers a timely message for our current exile.

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!

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?!

A journey through the weekly Torah portion briefly explaining the text in plain English—based on the commentary of Rashi.