16) Justification Is Never Justified:

When Yosef’s brothers planned his murder, Yehudah said; “What benefit is there in killing our brother and then hiding his blood?”[1]

The Kotzker Rebbe points out an interesting logic in Yehuda’s question; “If we have to hide something, it’s an indication that that something is not right.”[2]

We sometimes feel that we have to cover over or justify our actions. 

Anytime we have to be devious and make excuses for what we do, is an indication that we have not acted ethically and courageously.  

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[1] Ber. 37, 26

[2] Amud HaEmet, p.30, par. 3

11) Look Out For The Hunters:

“Esau was a man who knew how to hunt”[1] 

Hunting implies a certain deviousness and the ability to adopt a camouflage.

The Kotzker understood Esau’s deceitfulness as follows; 

“Don’t think that Esau was a simple villager who wore checked shirts, walked barefoot and looked after animals. 

Instead Esau had a beard and payers, he headed a community and gave over Torah at Shalosh Seudos (the third Sabbath meal).”[2]

In the spiritual chase it is deceptively easy to be fooled by appearances.

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[1] Ber. 25,27

[2] Amud HaEmet p.23 par. 5