A new episode in the series of talks by Chief Rabbi of Dnipro Shmuel Kaminezki, dedicated to the weekly Torah portion “Vayishlach,” has been released on the “Menorah” YouTube channel. In his address, Rabbi Shmuel touches on complex and yet extremely relevant topics concerning the nature of threats, human weaknesses, and true strength of spirit.
The portion “Vayishlach” recounts Jacob’s dramatic preparations for his encounter with Esau – a moment that was a test of both fear and courage. Rabbi Shmuel demonstrates that Jacob’s actions are not merely history but a model of behavior that works in the most difficult moments of our present day. The forefather’s strategy, his ability to combine prudence, prayer, and readiness to act, becomes the foundation for a profound spiritual lesson.
In the episode, Rabbi Shmuel draws parallels between ancient events and the real challenges of the modern world. He explains that an external threat is often less dangerous than the internal enemy – that very “animal soul” that pushes a person towards fear, anger, laziness, and rash decisions. Victory over oneself becomes the key to salvation, both in a literal and spiritual sense.
This lesson is addressed to everyone who strives to learn to live wisely and steadfastly in difficult times. Rabbi Shmuel shows how to reconcile the rules of physical safety with the light of the Torah: when one needs to flee from danger, when to hide, and when to fight, not only against an external threat but also against the shadows within us.
Don’t miss the new episode on the “Menorah” YouTube channel – it inspires, gives strength, and reveals the depth of the Torah through the prism of the present.
