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

Theme: Crushed and confused. The place between one step of growth and another. This week's Sicha is sponsored by Shaina Zirkind in honor of her birthday. "Thank you to Etty for arranging this learning weekly and to Mrs. Schapiro for teaching it!!" This one really hits. That place going from one level to another can be confusing and totally untethered. The nasi asks on all of our behalf that even though right now we look like katonti, a place of confusion, we don't know where to stand on firm ground, Hashem's promise should be fulfilled "Haitiv Eitiv Imach! Hsahem is going to do amazing good things for us! Likkutei Sichos, Parshas Vayishlach: Chelek Chof pg 166

"Yaakovs epic battle with Esavs angel left him limping - and because of this we have the mitzvah not to eat the gid hanashe (sciatic nerve). For such a huge significant battle, struggle and ultimate triumph that Yaakov went through - this being the Jewish peoples story all through our lives & through history - the mitzvah attached to it seems...minor? insignificant? Chassidus tells us - aha! thats exactly the point! Hashems with us in every single ""minor"" detail. The yidden are His beloved people, and every detail is important, with intention - no such thing as ""minor"" when it comes to this special relationship. This sicha is packed with life-changing concepts and the class ends with an awesome story :) Likkutei Sichos, Chelek Lamed, page 148

The inherent ability to do it for Hashem. Thank you to our 2 sponsors - you help us spread these sichos out far & wide! In honor of: Refuah Sheleima for Yisroel Reuven ben Shmeula, smooth & immediate! Happy Birthday to Adina Landa! May it be a shnas hatzlacha, bracha & a year of JOY! Think: Scenario 1: You are doing Avodah out of your comfort zone Scenario 2: Your Avodah also has amazing side benefits, not even for idealistic reasons - you love it, or alternative motivating factors. Very famous Sicha about Akeidas Yitzchak: 10th Test. Kach Na Es Bincha. Hashem says to Avraham: Please take your son. I have tested you with a number of tests and you have passed them all, You have stood through all of them, now stand through this test, so that the others won’t be canceled out. Q. Why would not passing the akeida cancel out all the other amazing tests Avraham surpassed?! Additional Q. The story of the Akeida is our biggest zchus, ultimate peak of our relationship, we mention it every day of davening. Why? What is it about this specific story? We have thousands of examples of crazy mesiras nefesh! Personal mesiras nefesh vs mesiras nefesh with our child. But we have seen this many times! Avraham created the tzinor of mesiras nefesh. The pathway for all of this to be capable. But this is NOT the first Mesiras Nefesh! Avraham did this when he was thrown into the fire publicly for declaring Hashems existence. Still - what is so unique about Akeidas Yitzchak? What is the Torah Definition of Mesiras Nefesh? To be able to give yourself over to Hashem. To put aside your entire metziyos and do it for Hashem. Its not about being so passionate that you are ready to give your life up, its about being fully Hashem focused, even when it means pushing me aside. Akeida - nothing in it for Avraham Avinu Step: 1) its not public, no public applause 2) Avrahams vision will be totally uprooted, this child wont be able to continue the vision 3) not his personality, he is a man of Chessed/Kindness This is the opposite of SELF benefit! The ONLY thing Pushing him to do the Akeida, is that Hashem asked him to do it. Until now, it could all be viewed as a personal agenda Once you do the Akeida, it proves that all the tests were Hashem’s agenda, not a personal gain Today, we stand with the ability to do Hashem’s agenda, even if it's different from what I want. I have the ability to do what Hashem wants me to do, every Yid is inherently able to give themselves over to What Is Hashems Plan For Me. Ois Ches: This is the explanation of why the Akeida is specifically the Opening this Channel, vs Ur Kasdim. Avraham was able to give to us the TRUE definition of Mesiras Nefesh, we are here to do what Hashem wants us to do.  We can be free of ourselves. Desire of every Jew is to do what Hashem wants us to do. So actually, this is truly what MY desire IS. TO do what Hashem wants me to do. Truly what I want. When a Yid does something for Hashem, it could seem its self-centered, but because he is a descendant of Avraham - now the real truth is it is REALLY mesiras nefesh, its truly for Hashem. Higher than any calculation, just like the Akeida. Side cheshbonos, they are not front and center REAL reason is FOR Hashem! Story: Side motivations: a million vs the nickel. The side stuff is the nickel. The million dollar win is that you are doing what Hashem wants you to do! Alter Rebbe brings a halacha in shulchan aruch, its a good thing to say parshas akeida every day. When you read the akeida it empowers you to serve Hashem, just like Yitzchak’s moment of being given over.  Once Avraham opened up the channel for REAL mesiras nefesh, my real desire is to go beyond myself. Any of us who are the children of Avraham, we have it because we are their children.  Its part of our innate DNA. Its a Avraham moment. A yitzchak moment. Any situation that you find yourself in, Its your Akeida moment. You have the ability to be beyond yourself. To be truly and completely given over to Hashem. There may be something in my mind that is not my vision, and its what Hashem puts for me, maybe it doesnt even fit my personality. I have the ability to do it for Hashem. What about all the superficial moments where I do gain? Don’t get stuck there, the real reality is you are the child of Avraham - and it IS for the real reasons!  What we REALLY want is that Moshiach should come! When we get sidetracked, bring ourselves back to the focus! Parshas Vayera, Chelek Chof, page 73.

Yud Daled Tishrei. Erev Sukkos Thank you to this week’s Sicha Sponsors: Simi Mishulovin in honor of Rabbi & Mrs. Schapiro (YES!) & to thank Hashem for our new baby Shimon (MAZAL TOV!) & Rochel Zuckerman in honor of our son Binyamin HaLevi on his birthday! (MAZAL TOV!) Today is also her father’s yahrtzeit, we wish their family all the brachos & long, healthy life! Theme: Thanking Hashem TOGETHER! Hallel, let’s praise Hashem and be aware of Hashem running the show. Big miracles come from Hashem! Big and Small personal ones Praising comes together with achdus, connecting to other Yidden - to all kinds! What kind of achdus? The kind that INCLUDES all yidden! Simcha/shturem that goes on when we all do this together! Use Sukkos as a time to focus on the GOODNESS, the MIRACLES, with ACHDUS & with JOY! Sicha: Chelek Chof Gimmel. pg 233

Erev Yom Kippur Thank you to this week’s Sicha Sponsors! Ruchama Thaler in honor of her mothers yahrtzeit, on zayin tishrei חיה שרה רחל בת ר׳ חיים יוסף שלמה May her neshama have an aliyah! Rochel Zuckerman In honor of her father’s upcoming yartzheit on Yud Daled Tishrei, Shlomo Ben Avraham, may his neshama have an Aliyah! May all of our learning be in their zchus and the zchus of your families! Rivky Kirsh of KIRSH JEWELERS: in honor of these sichos: The sichos are real gems! Who better to say this than someone who works with jewels every day and beautifies women - thank you for joining in the spiritual jewelry to help us prepare for Yom Tov! A Listener who wishes everyone a Gmar Chasima Tova, & a year full of revealed brochos for everyone! THEME: Taking Teshuva to a whole new level! Pnimiyus Teshuva, every yid wants one thing - to be connected to Hashem I don’t feel it! Main thing is STEP into the mikvah - try! Depth of the relationship WILL unfold (rabbi akiva) Sometimes where I am right now I can't see that in myself - but all I need to do is take a STEP, move forward, and then Hashem will take things to the next level! Certain situations I stand in and only see Golus, but I can be in my struggle, in my golus and tap into perspective - see “the laughter of Rabbi Akiva” see the future - and tap into future Geulah in today's Golus. #183: Chelek Chof Daled, page 239

This Sicha teaches us: 1) How to look at Golus 2) How to look at our INNER Golus = yetzer Horah and 3) how to view the challenges we face with the opposing nations of the world. Parshas Ki Savo has tough klalim in the Parsha and they were not just warnings, but actually a nevuah. WIth golus, we have gone through each of these things. Yet at the same time everything Hashem does is for the good of the Yidden. We don’t want it, but we also cant fully grasp the greatness that comes from it. The Rebbe compares 2 statements on things Hashem created and wishes to cancel.  Talmud Bavli: there are 4 that Hashem regrets that he created them (1 statement) Golus, Kasdim, Yishamelim and Yetzer Horah Talmud Yerushalmyi:There were 3 that Hashem created, and then He wonders/regrets why He created them (2 statements)  Kasdim, Yishamelim and Yetzer Horah The Bavli goes straight for the negative, bad parts of each of these 4 - lets get rid of them. It lists Golus first - this sets the tone for the rest. The Yerushalmy - mentions both positive and negative. Everything has a spark of goodness, but also can have a negative side to it - its cover, that masks its essence. The Yerushalmy recognizes the potential in the future when Moshiach comes. The Bavli is whats happening right now in the present. Golus stinks, it needs to be canceled.  The Yerushalmy is when the lights are turned on (Moshiach vision), in the ultimate purest shape - there is actually good there too. Practically: Always remember Golus is something Hashem regrets. Its NOT the real way we are supposed to be. DONT get comfortable here! But also, dont get dragged down by it, its not a real thing because its not eternal. What is our message to the nations of the world who oppress us? They are not real! Their opposition is nothingness! We must address them with STRENGTH and no fear. Speak the truth to them! When we act this way we bring out the Moshiach vision where their only value will be FOR our good. Torah is eternal. It lights up all the things and shows us their true form. Clarity! When a yid stands with internal strength - THIS is my inheritance! I dont bow and I dont cower! This is the Moshiach reality. Chai Elul we celebrate the 2 great lights who gave us Chassidus. Lets shed LIGHT on our yetzer horah, activate it for all its good parts! Shed light on the nations of the world  → Their purpose is to hear our strong and loud voices! They will get to honoring and appreciating the yidden! All the bad stuff will be gone, its nothing! Let’s shed light today and bring this world to its Moshiach reality!

Theme: It’s Time to Shake Up the Satan! *Huge Mazal Tov to Mrs. Schapiro for her new grandson born today, Boruch Hashem! *This week’s sicha is sponsored by Hentcha Zavdi in appreciation to Etty & Mrs. Schapiro for helping us stay connected and learn in such a clear, enjoyable, practical way. And as a zchus for Chassidishe, Gezunte and Freiliche children. *and sponsored by Libby Oster לזכות ולרפואה שלימה לאהרן בן חנה בטוב הנראה והנגלה! We should all have a כתיבה וחתימה טובה a שנה טובה ומתוקה! We should all merit to have the גאולה with Moshiach now!! It's time to shake up the Satan! Our attitude is going to make the Satan lose his footing! We are confident that Hashem already gave us a shana tova umetukah! We want to go into Rosh Hashana without the voice of the Satan at all! Some customs we do to mix up the Satan: NOT speaking about Rosh Chodesh in the Tefillos of Rosh Hashana, by NOT blowing shofar erev RH, by not bentching the chodesh on Shabbos Mevorchim, we dont start Shabbos Bereishis until after Simchas Torah, plus blowing shofar all Elul confuses the Satan, we blow numerous times throughout RH so even that throws the Satan off. This idea seems silly. The Satan is no fool. He’s been around every year. This idea is not to confuse him WHEN Rosh Hashana is, its deeper: We will fool him with our approach, our attitude that we take this Rosh Hashana! CONFIDENT stand! We go into Rosh Hashana fully confident we are already sealed for a Shana Tova Umesuka! Tremendous Hisorerus from deep within me. I dont want the Satan in my life anymore, this deep inner shofar voice can push me in a way other things cannot Know that sometimes there are things we CAN do to connect to Hashem bsimcha, and sometimes there are things we CANNOT do - this also connects us to Hashem, bsimcha! Shana Tova Umesukah with true open revealed brachos with Moshiach! Erev Rosh Hashana, 29 Elul, Chelek Chof Daled, page 222

Theme: Living with the message that Hashem runs the world. Thank you to this week’s Sicha Sponsors: Simi Ghods & Aliza Galinsky in honor and lilui nishmas of Morah Shaindel Glick A dear friend in honor of the engagement of Yaffa Muchnik! For a Shidduch for בליומא בת בתשבע קריינדל. Iyh next year to sponsor again in celebration of good news! & L’ilui nishmas a listener’s father Tzvi Hersh Ben Bentzion, whose yahrzeit is 27 Elul *if you would like to sponsor an upcoming Sicha please reach out to Etty 619.757.0486 SICHA SUMMARY: Rashi teaches us that the Torah is instructing us that Hakhel begins at the end of the 7 years, actually referting to the first of the next cycle of shmitah. Because what we learn coming off of shmitah connects us to the goal of Hakhel! What are the messages of shmitah? Mitzvas shmitah is generally broken down into 3 parts. 1. Person has to rest 2. The land has to rest 3. The fruits that do end up growing during shmitah are ownerless, everyone can come and take them. Owner cant keep them. 3 messages of shmitah summed up: 1. I am not my own person, Hashem is in charge, I'm here to do what Hashem wants 2. Nothing in nature works on its own, its all run by Hashem 3. Nothing that i think is mine is really mine, it's all Hashems and Im Hashems Shliach to use it How do they connect with Hakhel? The portions of the Torah the King reads at Hakhel directly connects to these messages: 1. Shema - Kabalos Ol, Hashem is in charge of my world. You dont have to worry, i can be calm relaxed and happy 2. Vehaya - what makes things grow? When I follow the will of Hashem. What keeps us safe? Hashem! My missiles are my mitzvahs! 3. Maaser/Tzedakah - I don’t even own it! Its hashems, I get to be Hashem’s shliach and direct the money where it should go.Tzedakah is not out of goodness of my heart, its the RIGHT thing to do. This applies to every area for things we think we own. Hashems in charge, and we get to be the shliach! Our shlichus, a talent, our children, it's not for me and about me, it's what does hashem want me to do with THIS? Who gives us this message in the most powerful way possible? The melech! The king. As Chassidim we know what it means to be the Rebbe’s messenger, to be botul to the King. Reaffirm these messages: Hashem takes care of me & my world. Let me seek out Hashem’s mission. Stay in the world of Torah, take this experience and go back into my day to day life - but now with the messages of Shmitah/Hakhel - I can be calm, Hashem’s got me, I can be happy, calm and present - put my efforts in, use my Hashem sense of direction, and not stress about the results. (Likkutei Sichos, Parshas Nitzavim Vayelech Chelek 24, page 197)

Sicha #179. Parshas Ki Seitzei: Chelek Chof Daled. Pg 152. BH This week’s sicha was sponsored by Geulah Newman in honor of the imminent Geula today during this month of elul, מלך בשדה, in appreciation of the  פנים שוחקות and miracles of Hashem.  And specifically In gratitude of the Rebbe’s tremendous brachos for 2 babies, bh, both born this week: In honor of the birth of our dear granddaughter   אלישבע פיקרסקי שתחי לעו and in honor of our dear grandson, Baby Boy Parnas שיחי לעו May their parents raise them to תורה, חופה, מעשים טובים ושליחות! To sponsor a sicha please reach out to me at 619.757.0486 Lesson: Try to stay away from getting stuck in black and white arguments vilifying someone, work to see the relationship underneath. Aim for the emes and deal with conflict with integrity.  If someone is in position of having influence - (beis din) - we can’t stay away from the issue. It needs to get dealt with with clarity. Clarity will shine a powerful light. If a person does end up shoved into a machlokes. Integrity will carry them. Stay true to emes. In the end it will shine through. We have torah to help us clarify issues and go through hard things, and also to know that integrity lasts and will carry us through.

Sicha #179. Parshas Ki Seitzei: Chelek Chof Daled. Pg 152. BH This week’s sicha was sponsored by Geulah Newman in honor of the imminent Geula today during this month of elul, מלך בשדה, in appreciation of the  פנים שוחקות and miracles of Hashem.  And specifically In gratitude of the Rebbe’s tremendous brachos for 2 babies, bh, both born this week: In honor of the birth of our dear granddaughter   אלישבע פיקרסקי שתחי לעו and in honor of our dear grandson, Baby Boy Parnas שיחי לעו May their parents raise them to תורה, חופה, מעשים טובים ושליחות! To sponsor a sicha please reach out to me at 619.757.0486 Lesson: Try to stay away from getting stuck in black and white arguments vilifying someone, work to see the relationship underneath. Aim for the emes and deal with conflict with integrity.  If someone is in position of having influence - (beis din) - we can’t stay away from the issue. It needs to get dealt with with clarity. Clarity will shine a powerful light. If a person does end up shoved into a machlokes. Integrity will carry them. Stay true to emes. In the end it will shine through. We have torah to help us clarify issues and go through hard things, and also to know that integrity lasts and will carry us through.

This Week’s learning was sponsored in honor of the yahrtzeit on Beis Elul of Tzvi ben Shmuel. May his neshama have an aliyah and may his family be reunited all together with the coming of Moshiach! To sponsor a sicha, reach out to Etty 6197570486! Topic: The unique (and shocking) mitzvah of “Egla Arufa” - (“decapitated calf”), performed when a murdered person was found out in the field and the killer was unknown. The details of how this mitzvah is performed highlights the tragedy of what happened with this person. There are different opinions on which part of this tragedy to focus on, the murdered, the murder, or the murderer. Rashi focuses on the ONE who was murdered. We are all responsible for this person. We dont get to “dump” or “excuse away” the situation thinking “maybe somehow this person brought this on himself - not even using Torah sources for this” NO! We must RUN to look out for each other. Where do I put my energy? We all have to be shaken up. A, I ensuring that when ppl go on their way - they will be safe, right food, right clothing, right protection of yiddishkeit and torah and mitzvos? In this month of Elul especially, Hashem is ready for EVERY Jew. I must go out of my way to care for every Jew, not just in the city, but in the field! With the tragedy of the 6 yidden murdered this week, please take the time to listen to this sicha, and take on an active resolution to reach out to someone else. (Parshas Shoftim, Chelek Chof Daled p.121.)