Learning is a vital part of our ethos and vision and we would like to respond to our members needs and requirements. Initially the Dayan has established a programme offering weekly sessions for both men and women but please do let us know if you would like any additional learning sessions and we will do our best to find you a suitable chavruta.
Shiurim & Adult Education
THOUGHTS ON VAYISHLACH BY SAMUEL KOSLOVER
The Torah tells us that when Yaakov arrived in Shechem, he arrived shalem—whole or complete. The Sfas Emes explains in this verse that Yaakov’s return to the Land of Israel mirrors the transition from the six days of the week to Shabbos. Just as the weekdays involve engagement with the mundane and the hard work of preparation, culminating in the sanctity of Shabbos, so too, Yaakov’s journey back to Israel reflects the spiritual ascent from exile and toil to a state of completeness and divine connection. For us today, this symbolizes that the period of living outside the Land of Israel is a preparatory stage, not a permanent one. It is a time for work and struggle, which ultimately leads to the sanctity and completeness symbolised by our return to Israel and the ultimate redemption. Moreover, the Sfas Emes teaches that through the pain and effort of this journey, we elevate not only ourselves but the entire world, bringing it into alignment with Hashem’s will.
The Ohr HaChaim adds an intriguing dimension to this discussion. He asks: Why does the Torah describe Yaakov’s arrival as shalem—whole? This follows the narrative where Yaakov gave away some of his possessions to Esav. The Ohr HaChaim teaches that shalem indicates that Hashem compensated Yaakov fully for everything he sacrificed in his encounter with Esav.
Combining these ideas, we can derive an important lesson for our own time. The battle with Esav mirrors the challenges of our present exile—both physical and spiritual—and the mental barriers that prevent us from moving forward toward the ingathering of exiles, the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the ultimate redemption. Like Yaakov, we often assess the risks—personal, emotional, financial, and even national security—and conclude that the obstacles seem insurmountable. Yet, the Ohr HaChaim reveals a critical truth: all sacrifices made in service of overcoming these barriers will be repaid by Hashem.
This is the secret embedded in shalem. When we approach the “Shabbos of history”—the era of redemption—we will not find ourselves diminished by the sacrifices we made along the way. On the contrary, every effort, every loss, and every pain endured in this holy work will be restored to us and magnified a thousandfold by divine blessing.
The path to redemption requires us to set our sights firmly on the goal, moving forward without fear. The fear of loss—of comfort, security, or resources—is real, but the Torah reassures us that the reward for our trust and effort will far exceed what we could have imagined. As we work toward the ingathering of exiles and the realisation of our ultimate vision, we must remember not only is the struggle worth it, but we are promised that in the end, we will be made whole.
Shabbat shalom.
Learning Opportunities