Below is a summary of topics from the daily lesson as delivered by our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a – yesterday after the Maariv prayer on Monday night, the 19th of Kislev 5786, Parshat Vayeshev:
1. Tomorrow at a quarter to nine there will be a Chanukah preparation gathering for the women of the community with the Rebbetzin. All women should attend.
2. We say "for the battles," so why don't we commemorate the battles by lighting candles instead of walking in the street with swords? However, on Chanukah, it is a decree on the Torah and not on the bodies, as explained by the Baal HaTanya in 'Torah Ohr'.
3. It is not understood why they wanted to kill Yosef because he dreamed dreams?!
4. Furthermore, what is the greatness in interpreting dreams? After all, everyone knows that grain is sheaves and cows are meat.
Rather, the 'Maayanah Shel Torah' explains that because it was Rosh Hashanah and we say in 'Netaneh Tokef' who for hunger and who for plenty. Yosef wanted to remind Pharaoh that he needs to pray for his country. And it is correct to appoint a wise man to rise to greatness, which was judged on that day.
5. All the countries are now receiving a flood. Because they spoke against the Jews and against the people of Israel.
6. In another 200 years – 28 years before the sixth millennium, they will need to be in the desert for 9 months, and then King Mashiach will come.
7. Rashi writes "with him" – like with him, meaning to him. And does Rashi explain to us the simple meaning of the word "with him"?
8. Rather, the 'Nitzotzot Shimshon' explains that Rebbe Nachman b"r Shmuel knocked on Rashi's grave and eventually revealed to him that the secret of "with him to him" is the dispute of Matat and the angels whether to create the world. Because it is written in Eruvin that Hashem agreed with Beit Shammai not to create the world, and both together are like the Sanhedrin and disagree with them, and therefore the brothers judged him to death as a rebellious elder.
9. Until Reuven arrived and saved him, therefore Reuven merited to cross the Sambatyon.
