CONVERTING CHAOS TO SERENITY

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

Lots of birthdays this week, and so in date order,

Mazal Tov to Gavriel whose birthday is today! We are missing you in London, but also happy that you are already doing well in school in California BH. Have a wonderful year and bring much nachas to your parents Gavriel.

Mazal Tov to Talya in Sydney Australia on your birthday tomorrow. It was so nice that you were in London in summer and that we got to know you better. We heard how good you are doing in school and we wish you to continue growing , and with much happiness for you and your Family.

Mazal Tov Renee on your birthday next week. Have you returned from your trip to Australia and New Zealand? Hope it was good, and wishing you a year of happiness and in good health.

Mazal Tov Channah, our first born, on your birthday next week. It should be a year of good deeds and good resolutions, in good health and joy.

And last but not least, Mazal Tov Rivky on your birthday one day after Channah. Wishing you much happiness , and further achievements in both gashmiyus and ruchnius.

Both Channah and Rivka were born on and just after the Holy Yom Tov of Yud Tes Kislev, the Yom Tov of the Alte Rebbe and the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus, and going into Channukah - all reflecting much Spiritual and physical Light BH!

About Yud Tes and chof Kislev, The Alte Rebbe said "Whoever rejoices in my simcha, I will take take him from distress to relief, from gashmiyus to ruchniyus, and out of gehinom."

This falls on 26th, 27th and 28th November this year and there will be events all over the world BEH

This weeks Sedra Vayishlach primarily focuses on the Universal battle between Jacob and Esav. (drawn from talks of The Lubavitcher Rebbe which I read this week)

Esav is a very powerful force deriving from the world of Tohu (CHAOS), whereas Jacob's source is the world of Tikun (CORRECTION and ORDERLINESS).

Jacob acknowledged Esav's strength which were superior to his own.

He also recognised that in order to bring the world to its ultimate destiny (OF PEACE AND SERENITY), it would be necessary to combine strengths.

BUT he also realised that it would be his job (Jacob's) to harness the raw untamed power of Esav.

In this week's sedra Jacob realised that it is going to be a long and hard process over many centuries, and parted company from him 'Until I will reach my master (Esav) in Seir' (When Esav will be subdued)

And this work is continuing through the centuries by ourselves, through Torah and mitzvos, being the descendants of Jacob.

The power of Esav on a practical level is represented by inflated egos, self- aggrandisement, arrogance, and self-obsession.

Even although we are constantly working on these negative qualities in ourselves, as we get closer to Mashiach, they will soar out of control.

Mashiach will have the exact opposite traits, being extremely humble and selfless - ani verochev al chamor -humble and riding on a donkey.

He will teach us how to subdue our egos and nullify our will to Hashem.

Interestingly and connected, there is a new online Course starting up soon, which really caught my interest, and I think may benefit many people in our generation of chaos, and am attaching the link below.

https://www.chabad.org/tools/subscribe/email/view_cdo/i/8A35D917402345A2:B55 A4D102ADA5C047EE2C797D65D7FA9185022F44647F905E5425DF6BAE48D1E#utm_medium=ema il <https://www.chabad.org/tools/subscribe/email/view_cdo/i/8A35D917402345A2:B5 5A4D102ADA5C047EE2C797D65D7FA9185022F44647F905E5425DF6BAE48D1E#utm_medium=em ail&utm_source=64_chabad.org_subscribers_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=head er> &utm_source=64_chabad.org_subscribers_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=header

May we already tap in to the correction of chaos, to bring us a taste of serenity even while we are still in golus.

Gut Shabbos and Gut Yom Tov to all.