Ep. 478: Is the War in Gaza a Step Toward Transforming Exile Into Redemption?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
What does this week’s Torah portion teach us about today’s war? 

• Why is the entire book of Shemos, including the narrative about the bitter exile, called the “Book of Redemption”? 
• What does this teach us about darkness and about attacking Jews? 
• Can we learn any lessons from G-d appearing to Moshe in the burning bush?  
• What do we learn from Moshe’s protest to G-d: “why have You harmed this people?” 
• If Jacob’s best years of his life were in Mitzrayim, why was he so adamant that he should be buried in Israel? 

20 and 24 Teves 

• The Rambam and the Alter Rebbe’s merits should save us all 

The Enemy 

• Should we see all the Palestinians as our enemy? 
• How can we transform, not just eradicate, the enemy? 
• If darkness is only the absence of light, how is it that our enemies have captured the minds of many people? 
• Is the war in Gaza a step toward transforming exile into redemption?  

Actions 

• What impact should this war have on our lives? 
• How to become a more sensitive person? 
• What is the best way to restore confidence to someone who has suffered humiliation? 
• Is there a quota on how much Tehillim should be recited? 
• Is there a time that we should refrain from learning Torah to deprive the enemy of strength, as we do on Nittel? 
• Should we have more intention when we say the blessing “matir asurim” to help free the remaining hostages? 
• Is it wrong to make racist jokes about Hamas? 
• Should Chassidus be taught to non-Jews? 

Lessons from Tunnels 

• Are there any personal and positive lessons we can learn from the tunnels of destruction built under Gaza? 
• Can a secular song be the carrier of a inspiring divine message?  

• Is it appropriate to honor the secular new year? 

• Is there any similarity between the new year and Rosh Hashana? 

New Year 

• Is it appropriate to honor the secular new year? 
• Is there any similarity between the new year and Rosh Hashana?