#244 Sicha – Yud Tes Kislev & Parshas Vayeishev THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS: ✨ Anonymous – in honor of Chanukah light, miracles, blessings & Geulah now! 🎂 Mushka Lishner – in honor of her birthday, Chof Beis Kislev 🎉 In honor of Dina’s birthday – wishing her a year of hatzlacha in all she does! 🕯️ Batya Rosenblum – Lilui Nishmas Odel Raizel bas R’ Avraham Dovid, Mrs. Raizel Wolvovsky – in honor of her yahrtzeit (Chai Kislev) & with gratitude to Mrs. Schapiro for the inspiring weekly sichos 🕯️ In honor of Bubby Gordon’s 13th yahrtzeit tomorrow, Chof Kislev – Lilui Nishmas Miriam bas Eliyahu 💛 Final Few Hours! Our Chabad House campaign ends 11 PM EST tonight! Thank you from the depth of my heart to our amazing Sicha Friends who’ve joined! Join us in honor of Yud Tes Kislev ➜ JewishNSU.com/BeTheLight Summary: Chelek Chof Hey pg 204: Remember the POINT of it all Yosef’s dreams weren’t about him, they revealed Hashem’s plan: that each of the brothers have their unique avodah, but Yosef's way would be the one to take us from galus to geulah. Their “jealousy” was spiritual, each striving to serve Hashem in the deepest way. Yaakov anchored them by “shamor es hadavar”, remembering the point of it all: it’s not about me or you, but what Hashem wants done. Everyone needs Yosef, so too with Chassidus Chabad, its for everyone! So too, Yud Tes Kislev marks when the Maggid, just before he passed away, said to the Alter Rebbe “this will be a day of our celebration” taking the Baal Shem Tovs & Maggids Chassidus and turning it into a maayan that will impact everyone and bring us from golus to geulah. Today we see it happening—the maayanos reaching every corner of the world. Let’s not get caught up in ourselves, and in the differentiation, and lets stay focused on the mission!

Chelek Tes vov. Pg 331 In the story of Yehuda and Tamar, Tamar asks for Yehuda’s signet ring, cloak, and staff, items that marked his unique identity. The Rebbe explains that the ring with its seal reflects a deep truth: the ring represents the natural world,, while the seal represents Shabbos/above nature- the awareness that all of nature belongs to Hashem. The seal is not separate from the ring; it’s part of it and transforms the whole ring into something marked by its owner. So too, our everyday, natural life must be permeated with the “seal” of mesiras nefesh—the mark of miracles and total connection to Hashem.  That’s why marriage is done with a ring, learned from Yehuda and Tamar, because marriage itself blends the natural and the infinite, bringing Hashem’s presence into the cycle of life. When we live with that awareness, our ordinary days become miraculous, our homes reflect Hashem’s infinity, and we help bring the world to its ultimate marriage - the revelation of Moshiach.

135. Mikeitz/Chanukah: Fight for Peace The message of Chanukah is that some things are worth fighting for. When dark forces, within our homes or without, threaten to overwhelm us, we need to fight for peace. The Macabees showed us how to sacrifice everything and connect to the yechida in our soul, where true peace prevails and leaves no room for opposition. Each Shabbos, our candles symbolize the same. The small flame of a 3 year old girl does much to replace darkness with joy, respite, and peace. Imagine that all the the flames of our Shabbos and Chanukah lights come together. They would burst into a great big bonfire to overcome all darkness and usher in the final days of “no hunger or war, no competition or jealousy.” Likkutei Sichos, Chelek Tes vov. Pg 372

Ki Sisa, Chelek Chof Vov, page 248 Whats good about being broken? Moshe broke the Luchos and Hashem said "yasher koach!" Hashem agreed with Moshe and praised him. The yidden served the eigel, Moshe saved the honor of the Torah, etc - this could make sense, but the Rebbe says - no! Its not enough! Moshe could have just hid the luchos (toss into the ocean :)) - why specifically break them? There is something praiseworthy of broken luchos. We see that Moshe was sad about it and Hashem comforted him - the second set of luchos came along with Torah She'baal Peh too! With more, expansion! The 2nd set was an upgrade! And Moshe was praised after the 2nd set was given. The broken luchos made space for something bigger. Breaking the luchos in front of the yidden, broke us open allowing us to be open to Hashem, open to a bigger, better, expanded future. So is being broken the way to go? NO! The secret of the luchos 1 & 2 - broken & whole - is where they were kept - together, in the Aron! The Aron had measurements, yet took no space - the holding of 2 opposites together. Just like we should bring the 2 opposites of broken luchos & whole luchos together. We each have an aron in our hearts and are empowered to live with these 2 aspects together: broken, allowing the space for Hashem in, and whole - being myself fully invested with all my strengths and full self (not a robot). And from the broken moments, we can grow and double and redouble accomplishments! "Why does Hashem break us?" We should have Moshiach NOW and then we can see the greatness of the journey!