V'Higadeta-Bereishis

Insights, stories, and teachings on THE WEEKLY PARASHAH from the treasure-trove of the maggid Harav Yaakov Galinsky zt"l

Every Shabbos the Steipler Gaon made time for "oneg Shabbos" he would read from Rav Yaakov Galinsky's V'Higadeta series. Here were sefarim that you could read at the Shabbos table. And not just because they were books on the parashah.

Once, a bachur who had learned with the Mir Yeshivah in Shanghai got engaged. The rosh yeshivah, Rav Dovid Povarsky, zt"l, and the mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein, zt"l, both attended the vort, the engagement celebration. The rosh yeshivah asked the mashgiach to speak, but he declined. He turned to Rav Galinsky to do the honors.

Rav Galinsky stood up and said, "I'll explain why the mashgiach isn't speaking. Bnei Yisrael complained about the mann in the desert (Bamidbar21:5). But what did they have to complain about? The mann could taste like any food in the world! But the mann was also 'k'zera gad-like a coriander seed' (Shemos 16:31). The word gad can mean to 'relate' something. The mann 'related' the sins of Klal Yisrael. If someone among them sinned, the next day he would be forced to wander around to find his portion of mann (Yoma75a).

"So the Jewish people pleaded: "We'll hear a mussar shmuess if we must, but please, not during the meal!"

This is the secret to Rav Yaakov Galinsky's derashosand lessons, and the secret to V'Higadeta's popularity. V'Higadeta on the weekly parashah certainly contains mussar lessons to learn from, but it isn't a heavy tome that a person has to struggle to wade through. The lessons are imparted with captivating stories and insightful ideas that will make you nod and laugh.

Rav Galinsky delivered thousands of derashosin the halls of yeshivos and batei midrash, and before huge audiences, both religious and nonreligious. He is responsible for bringing so many people closer to Hashem.

Now, finally, his derashos are accessible in print to the English-speaking audience.

In his unique, penetrating style-with stories and parables, lessons and maxims, pesukim and ma'amarei Chazal-he brings the weekly parashah alive. As you unearth this magnificent treasure of stories and real-life lessons, Rav Galinsky's derashos will transform you and your Shabbos table