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How One Donkey Assuaged Moshe's Negative Feelings About His Mission

Who Am I? How Can I Do this to My Brother? I Anyhow Won't Succeed? The Donkey Provided Solace

1 hr 9 min

Class Summary:

This is a text-based class on an address by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, printed in Likkutei Sichos Vol. 31. Parshas Shemos.

This class, part 1 of a two-part series,  was presented on Monday, Parshas Shemos, 16 Teves, 5782, December 20, 2021, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.

Please leave your comment below!

  • ד

    דן -2 years ago

    שלום הרב,

    מעניין, אגב, להשוות את אברהם, החובש את חמורו, משה, המרכיב את ציפורה ובניו על החמור, לעומת יוסף ש"אוסר את מרכבתו" כאשר יעקב יורד מצרימה, שבוודאי אין בו, ביוסף, את בחינת ההתבטלות שיש לאברהם ולמשה אלא דווקא בחינת "מלכות" (אולי בגלל החלומות שלו, שהוא נחוש להגשים). ישר כח על השיעור המעמיק ועל השיעורים הרבים של הרב שאני שומע.

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  • SM

    Sara Metzger -2 years ago

    Someone commented...

    Wow such beautiful connections of patriarchs and it shows such a humility and humbleness of these great influencing people in Jewish history. And antisemites say Jews are racists and full of pride because they say we are chosen people, little do they know that Jews are chosen for their humility and responsibility towards HaShem.
    So much better then other Abrahamic religions where Horses and swords are the weapon to influence. But Jewish traditions says Donkey which represents humility humbleness and transformation through discipline and not show off or power. though the donkey might have much deeper strength and power to be the vessel of transportation

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  • SG

    Sarah Goldberg -2 years ago

    The donkey of Avraham, Moshe and Moshiach

    Merely carry wood and people.  This is the normal job of a donkey.  Sure, there was a miraculous element that this donkey lived a long time (like others in Chumash).

    But.. .the donkey of Bilaam was more miraculous in that it could see angels, protect its master from them and then could speak! 

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  • SG

    Sarah Goldberg -2 years ago

    Earlier redemption are the template for later ones

    Even the donkey of the Akeida, assuming it had redemptive qualities though it carried wood TOWARDS the Akeida, not back from it, perhaps wasn't the first. 

    Sarah was help captive by Pharoah. She was redeemed.  Upon which animal did she exit Mitzrayim? 

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  • SG

    Sarah Goldberg -2 years ago

    Why were Tziporah and his sons on the donkey?

    Tziporah had just given birth to the second son.  In fact he hadn't had his bris yet. 

    Moshe kept the whole Torah like the Avos including bris.  But, the general mitzvah (kept before Mattan Torah) of bris was overriden by the explicit and specific command to go. [The bris performed after they stopped at an inn and the snake almost killed Moshe but Tziporah saved the day by performing the bris]. 

    Ergo, Tziporah was a kimpiturin and the baby was days old. Its only derrch erertz to put such fragile people on a donkey and not to walk. 

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Likkutei Sichos Shemos #1

Rabbi YY Jacobson

  • December 20, 2021
  • |
  • 16 Tevet 5782
  • |
  • 1208 views

Dedicated by Rivky Sirota with gratitude and thanks to Hashem for my wonderful parents, Reb Mottel and Brina Berkowitz, may they have Arychas Yomim Veshanim Tovos!

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