The Library

As we continue the Story of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs, we learn in this Parsha about one of the most perplexing episodes of the entire Torah. As we all know, we learn in Vayishlach, it's been 20 years since Yakov ran away from Esav after seemingly stealing his Blessi...

In this week’s Parsha, we witness the confrontation between Yakov and Esav. Chazal identify three approaches which Yaakov Avinu employed in preparation: “Doron, Tefila VeMilchama” - gifts, prayer, and war. Based on the Zohar and the Ramban, Rav Dessler ZT’L says that this...

The Torah tells us that Yaakov was attacked by the Malach of Esav. As dawn approached and Yaakov prevailed, the malach asked to be freed. Chazal tell us that the reason it was so urgent for the Malach to leave, was because each Malach receives one chance to say Shira and ...

Disaster One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was...

וישא את עיניו וירא את הנשים - לג:ה The best way to be careful from forbidden gazing and thoughts is by occupying the mind with divrei Torah. Rav Wolbe writes in Alei Shur that when one thinks in learning, it is a koach that can protect him from seeing pritzus. In C...

The Torah says that Jacob was afraid of Esau, even though Hashem had promised him, "I will be with you and protect you." That promise was given when he had just left the home of Isaac and Rebecca, and was under their influence. Now, however, he had been with the wicked La...

"Battleworn" posted the following powerful Chizuk on the forum from a Shmooze by R' Tzvi Meir Zilberberg - Shvi'ee Shel Pesach 5759 (edited for clarity): The Chozeh from Lublin, The Beer Mayim Chaim, R' Hershele of Ziditshov, R' Tzadok Hacohen and other tzadikim all sai...

The Chassidic Sefarim speak about how we are able to learn true Ahavas Hashem from Shechem Ben Chamor. The Torah uses four different descriptions for Shechem's infatuation with Dinah, in the following order: It is interesting to note that the order of Shechem's "infatuati...

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NAMES YAAKOV AND ESAV?ESAV = ASUI - DONE YAAKOV = EKEV - STEPSESAV IS A "BIG PICTURE" GUY YAAKOV IS A "ONE STEP AT A TIME" PERSON YAAKOV WENT BACK FOR THE "PACHIM KETANIM - SMALL VESSELS"AND LIKE HE SAID TO ESAV, "ANNE ASNAHALA LI-ITI LI...

Here's a great vort that I heard from a Rosh Yeshiva of mine on this week's parsha, Va'Yishlach. I think it can help us all in our attitude towards this challenge. When Yaakov demands a bracha from the angel of Esav, the angel names him Yisrael "ki sarita im elokim v'im a...

I have the zechus of hearing Rabbi/Dr.Twerksi speak most days for a few minutes in between Mincha and Maariv. Today, Hashem gave me some much needed chizuk. Rabbi Twerksi asked the famous question from the parsha, what does the pasuk mean that Yaakov's waiting for Rochel ...

I just wanted to share some Chizuk I found over Shabbos in Nesivos Shalom (Beraishis pg 213-14, Inyan Yaakov and Eisav). In Avodas Hashem we need recognize the severity of Chet, and how far away Chet removes us from HKB"H. One should recognize that he's trading in the clo...

I would like to tell you why I chose the username Ovadia. It is after Ovadia HaNovi who is my inspiration. Chazal ask, "Why did Ovadia prophesies about the downfall of Esav?" Answer: "Let Ovadia, who lived between two wicked people (Achav and Ezevel) and was not influence...

Vayar ossah - Shechem didn't guard his eyes, he saw her, Vayikach ossah - he took her, [just a little bit...] Vayishkav ossah - a fall (normally) Vaya'anehah - out of control (abnormally), Vatidbak nafsho - he became attached = addicted, Vayehav ess hana'arah - he convinc...

After fighting with Yaakov Avinu all night, why did Eisav's Malach have to go that morning to sing Shira before Hashem. From all days, this had to be the one? The answer is a resounding YES!!! The malach was created so that he should LOSE a fight. Eisav ALWAYS succumbed t...

Here's a nice Vort I heard on Parshas Vayishlach from R'Y Frand. When Yaacov's family was meeting Esav, the Torah mentions Leah and the handmaids came forward, and then the children. But by Rachel, it says "Vayigash Yoseph ve Rachel," "Yoseph and Rachel came forward." W...