In this morning’s class, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath dove into one of the strangest, most beautiful marriage scenes in the entire Torah, Yitzchak and Rivkah caught “jesting” behind a window.

Why does the Torah use a word for laughter to describe intimacy? Why is the first Jew born into the covenant literally named “He Will Laugh”? And why does Rivkah’s name hint to a yoke of oxen, two forces pulling together toward transformation?

Using Rashi, Midrash, Zohar, and the Alter Rebbe’s revolutionary maamar from 5569, we uncovered a powerful Chassidic idea: Laughter is born from contradiction. From the unexpected. From two worlds that shouldn’t fitand yet somehow do. That’s the secret of Yitzchak and Rivkah. That’s the secret of humanity. And that’s the secret of marriage.

Today’s class explored how two people with different histories, tendencies, wounds, and temperaments can build something eternal… precisely because of their differences. When we choose holiness over instinct, love over ego, repair over distance, Heaven itself, the Alter Rebbe says, “laughs with delight.” Marriage, it turns out, is the ultimate divine joke. And our job is to embrace the punchline.

TAKEAWAYS

Laughter = Transformation

The Alter Rebbe teaches that laughter is triggered when reality breaks its own rules. When a human transcends instinct choosing holiness over ego that is the greatest “cosmic joke.”

Yitzchak’s Name Isn’t Cute … It’s His Mission

“He will laugh” means the whole purpose of Jewish life is rising above our programmed nature. This is why the Torah uses metzachek: intimacy is the fusion of two worlds that shouldn’t naturally fit.

Rivkah Is the Model of Human Greatness

Raised in corruption, she becomes a “rose among thorns.” She is proof that background does not define destiny. She is the surprise that makes Heaven smile.

Marriage Thrives on Differences, Not Sameness

The clash, the contrast, the contradictions—these are not obstacles. They are the very material through which G-d’s laughter emerges. The greatest holiness comes from uniting opposites.

Every Conflict Is an Invitation

When your instinct says defend, and you choose softness… When your body says withdraw, and you choose connection… When your ego wants to be right, and you choose to be kind… That is holy laughter. That is Yitzchak.

This Is Why Avimelech Knew

Only husband and wife can create the kind of oneness that blends two spiritual worlds into something new. That oneness is holiness. That holiness is laughter.

#Kabbalah #Torah #chassidus #Bible #BibleStudy #chassidut #kabala #Spiritual #spiritualgrowth #yitzchak #rivkah #ParshatToldot #parshastoldos #opposites #oppositesattract #marriage #intimacy

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In this morning’s class, Rabbi Bernath explored the timeless lesson hidden in a sleepy Midrash. When Rabbi Akiva saw his students dozing off, he woke them not with rebuke, but with revelation: the story of Queen Esther’s 127 provinces, mirroring the 127 years of Sarah’s life.

From this, the Chedushei HaRim teaches that Sarah lived every moment so fully that each second became a kingdom of its own. Rabbi Akiva’s message? Every moment we “sleep through” is a world lost. Through humor, wisdom, and a dash of Churchill’s charm, Rabbi Bernath reminded us that time is not money, it’s life itself.

Takeaways:

Every Moment Matters: Like Sarah, each of us has the power to turn seconds into significance.

Wakefulness Is Spiritual: Falling asleep… literally or metaphorically means missing the miracle of now.

Time Is Life, Not Money: The Rebbe taught that time is not a commodity but a living gift. Use it with purpose.

Presence Is Royalty: Esther’s reign flowed from Sarah’s lived time; our own “reign” depends on how awake we are to our days.

Humor and Holiness Coexist: Even Churchill and Rabbi Akiva knew that a good laugh can wake up the soul.

#Kabbalah #chassidus #Judaism #Jewish #jewishmysticism #time #presence #purpose #life #chabad #spiritualgrowth #Spiritual #chassidut #kabala #sarah

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Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.com

Single? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.

Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donate

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Access Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

In this heart-stirring exploration of the prophet Elisha’s miracle for the destitute widow, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath invites us to uncover our own “cruse of oil” the indestructible spark of holiness within. Drawing from Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi’s profound interpretation, we discover that the widow’s empty vessels are our empty actions, our daily deeds done even without inspiration. When we keep showing up, praying, loving, giving, building those vessels eventually overflow with divine oil. This class takes the ancient story and turns it into a living roadmap for reigniting the soul when we feel emotionally or spiritually numb.

Takeaways:

Every soul possesses a pure “cruse of oil” an unbreakable core of divine essence untouched by pain, doubt, or apathy.

When inspiration runs dry, the key is action: fill your life with “empty vessels” of goodness, even if your heart isn’t fully in it yet.

Emotional numbness doesn’t mean the soul has died it’s a signal that something deeper is ready to be rediscovered.

Love, awe, and purpose can be reclaimed through consistent small acts of holiness they become the vessels for divine flow.

The moment the spark reawakens, all your past “empty” deeds become filled with meaning, joy, and light.

#Bible #Kabbalah #Judaism #Jewish #mysticism #jewishmysticism #chassidus #chassidut #spiritualgrowth #Rabbi #chabad #spiritualgrowth #inspiration #soul #essence #Spiritual #divinespark

Sign up for "The Forgiveness Lab" HERE: https://www.jewishndg.com/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=89

Support the show

Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.com

Single? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.

Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donate

Follow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernath

Access Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi