This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 Parshas Vayeitzei was&nbsp;presented on Tuesday&nbsp;Parshas Vayetzei, 8&nbsp;Kislev, 5781, November&nbsp;24, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson&#39;s home in Monsey, NY&nbsp;

The class explores a perplexing Midrash on why Yaakov refused to make a peace treaty with Avimelech, like his father and grandfather have done before him. It leads us to examine some of the key differences between Yaakov and Yitzchak and Avraham in terms of how they related to the toxicity around them.

It also explains why only Yaakov saw all of his children continuing in his footsteps.

The class tells the story of Israeli politician and social activist Geulah Cohen&#39;s visit to the Rebbe. How&nbsp;she described sitting for two hours in the presence of a true believer.

"I Will Not Let You Go Until You Bless Me:" Yaakov's Motto was to Transform Darkness into Light

Likkutei Sichos Vayetzei

Why Was Yaakov Successful with All of His Children, Unlike Avraham & Yitzchak?

<p style="line-height: 13pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Forbidden Piety: To go beyond the letter of the law and do more than is obligatory is usually most laudable - and sometimes forbidden.

<p style="line-height: 13pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Our sages tell us that the patriarchs observed the entire Torah although G-d had not yet commanded it.&nbsp;Yet in the 29th chapter of Genesis we find Jacob marrying Rachel after having been tricked into marrying her sister, Leah. Why did Jacob marry two sisters, a clear biblical prohibition?

<p style="line-height: 13pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">But Jacob had given his word to Rachel, who had waited seven years as he worked for her father to gain her hand. To refuse to marry her would have caused her grievous hurt and embarrassment. Since the laws of the Torah were not commanded to Israel before the revelation at Mount Sinai, Jacob had no right to uphold his self-assumed piety at the expense of another human being.

<p style="line-height: 13pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Therein lies an important lesson to each and every one of us. The Torah&#39;s laws are eternal and unequivocal---one cannot second-guess the Almighty, even if the observance of His commandments may appear to cause hardship and suffering. Ultimately, the Torah is the only source of life and well-being for the Jew, both spiritually and physically. Yet this applies only to what the Torah directly commands. If a person wishes to go beyond what the Torah obligates him, this is most laudable---as long as it affects only himself. Where others are affected, a fellow&#39;s needs must always take precedence over one&#39;s own loftiest &ldquo;values.&rdquo;

How Could Yaakov Marry Two Sisters?

Women's Vayeitzei Class

Don't Be Holy at the Expense of Others

This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 Vayeitzei (said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Vayeitzei, 9 Kislev, 5732, 1971), explores the strange fact that while Leah gives one reason for naming her oldest son Reuben, the Talmud and Rashi offer a completely different interpretation for the name. Leah names him Reuben (which means seeing), because &ldquo;G-d saw my pain; now my husband will love me.&rdquo; But how could she be sure about that?&nbsp;

The Drama Behind the Name Reuben

"Now My Husband Will Love Me:" Likkutei Sichos Vayeitzei

How Could Yaakov Marry Two Sisters? - If Our Forefathers Observed the Entire Torah, How Could Yaakov Violate Such an Explicit Commandement? Likkutei Sichos Vayeitzei

How Could Yaakov Marry Two Sisters?

If Our Forefathers Observed the Entire Torah, How Could Yaakov Violate Such an Explicit Commandement? Likkutei Sichos Vayeitzei

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