MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Ep. 576: What Are We to Make of the Uprisings in Iran?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chof Dalet Teves What is the significance of a Tzaddik’s histalkus? How does it impact us? What connection does it have to current events? What lessons do we learn from the Alter Rebbe’s hilula?  What were the circumstances that led to the Alter Rebbe’s passing? How was it related to him fleeing Napoleon’s advance? Is there a connection between the Alter Rebbe returning to retrieve a pair of slippers so they not fall into the hands of Napoleon and Jacob returning to retrieve the small vessels? Why was the Alter Rebbe on a spiritual trial for teaching Chassidus? Was the opposition to the Alter Rebbe based on fear resulting from the Shabbatean movement? Why was the Alter Rebbe attracted to the teachings of Chassidus, which drove him to found Chabad Chassidus? Do we know why the Alter Rebbe family surname changed from Pozner to Baruchovitch? Who authored the maamorim in Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah that begin with the words “LeTosfes Biur”? How can I support the printing of Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah in English?  What is the story behind the maamar of the Alter Rebbe called "Der Frumer Vaeirah”? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the connection between the revelation of Havaya to Moshe to help him free the Jews from Egypt and the splurging of the treasures to help us win our current battles? What do the four expressions of redemption refer to? What is the deeper meaning of Aaron's staff turning into a snake and swallowing the staffs of the Egyptian sorcerers? Why did G-d send ten plagues and not just one massive plague to break Pharoah? Do we know the original names given to Moshe by his parents? How did Moshe find out that he was Jewish? What lessons can we learn from Moshe’s childhood in Pharoah’s palace? How do they reflect on the bigger scheme of future events? Did the Rebbe make any public statements about Iran during the 1979 Islamic revolution that we can learn from today? Vaeirah Shemos What are we to make of the uprisings in Iran? 

Ep. 575:What Can Be Done About “Discrimination” Against Ba’alei Teshuva or Others Seen as Outsiders?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chof Teves What is the significance of the Rambam’s yahrzeit?  What makes a leader different than a scholar?What does the Egyptian exile teach us about dealing with difficulties? What did the Rebbe say about this day? What did he have in common with the Alter Rebbe? What personal lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why do we recount the suffering in Egypt?What does the story of Moshe’s birth teach us?  What is the significance of him being born before the enslavement began and that he himself was not a slave? Why did Hashem appear to Moshe in a burning bush? Why did Moshe challenge G-d by saying “Why are You doing evil to these people?” After the Egyptian exile and redemption why was there a need for other exiles? How can we understand the tzimtzum in simple and practical terms? What does “Yaakov Avinu lo mes” mean? Is there a plan to print more Chassidus in English? Shemos Vayechi Are there any relevant lessons to be learned from the United States toppling the Venezuelan president? Hei Teves What can be done about "discrimination" against Ba'alei Teshuva or others seen as outsiders? If I feel that my teacher is not being fair, how can I challenge him without being disrespectful? 

Ep. 574: What Does the Cold Winter Teach Us?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What does the cold winter teach us?  Asarah B’Teves What is the significance of this day and what lessons does it teach us, especially facing our current challenges? Why does this fast day supersede Shabbos? Does this fast day commemorate other sad events that happened during these days? Why was translating the Torah into Greek considered a tragedy? And what about the passing of Ezra the Scribe?  May I vent and express my anger and frustration? After all the pain and anguish, I want to also voice my pride in the powerful response of the Jewish people Where does the expression “didan notzach” originate? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why did Yaakov initially consider revealing when Moshiach would come? And then why was he prevented from doing so? If we include Menashe and Ephraim as tribes, why are their twelve tribes and not fourteen? What's the difference between Reuven and Shimon in our personal avodah? What exactly does hiskashrus to the Rebbe mean? Can it be imposed and done mechanically? Does it leave room for individuality? How does hiskashrus enhance life? Aftermath of the horrific Sydney massacre Hei Teves Vayechi Hiskashrus 

Ep. 573: What Inner Strength Does Chanukah Offer Us to Face the Horrific Sydney Massacre?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Aftermath of the horrific Sydney massacre What inner strength (netzach and hod) does Chanukah offer us? What are the souls of the kedoshim experiencing now? We still cannot fathom this terrible tragedy. Any words of wisdom? Why would G-d allow it to happen? How can we call G-d kind and compassionate in face of this horror? During the time of the Greeks the Jews would hide their observance due to the danger involved. How is today different? What is the special significance of this day? What comes next? What is the connection between the eighth day of Chanukah and Shemini Atzeres, completing the high holiday season? How will it work after Moshiach comes and we light eight candles on the first night? What is the significance of the new moon? Why was finding pure olive oil so significant? What's the connection between Chanukah and education? What is the significance of it being a rabbinic holiday? Why is chassidus compared to oil? Does Shammai not hold that we have to grow each day in holiness? Why is chapter 67 in Tehillim printed in the shape of a menorah? What should we focus on in the month of Teves? What are we celebrating on Hei Teves? How did the Rebbe instruct us to observe this day? Is there a connection between Chanukah and Hei Teves? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why did Joseph ask everyone to leave the room when he revealed his identity to his brothers? Why did Joseph not inform his father over the 22 years that he is alive? Zos Chanukah Rosh Chodesh Teves Chanukah Hei Teves Vayigash How should we react to Mamdani’s visit to the Ohel? 

Ep. 572: Dedicated to all the Kedoshim hy”d murdered on the first night of Chanukah in Sydney, Australia. And a refuah shleimah v’krovah to all those injured.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: How can we possibly address the horrific terror attack on Jews celebrating Chanukah in Sydney leaving 16 of our people dead? Ad mosai?! What does G-d want of us? How could this happen on Chanukah, which is about conquering darkness with light? And demonstrating this in the streets with a public menorah as the Rebbe instructed?  How can we ever explain the tragic murder of any innocent person, let alone a shliach, when we are told that shluchei mitzvah einan nizokin? Where was the protection from above, especially considering that Chanukah draws down from the highest levels of G-dliness, eight above seven? Is it safe to light public menorahs? What do we do about this – physically and spiritually? How can we not feel deep despair and want to give up on Judaism? How do we celebrate Chanukah and learn its lessons in face of this tragedy? What are the primary lessons of Chanukah? Why do we mark the holiday by lighting flames rather than commemorating the victory in the battle against our enemies? What does the light actually represent? What was the war about between the Greeks and the Jews? Did it also include a civil war between the Jewish Hellenists and the rest of the community? Why do we light the candles in the evening, at the door facing outside, and why eight candles – differently than the menorah lighting in the Holy Temple? Why are we not allowed to benefit from the light of the Chanukah candles? Why did the Rebbe institute the lighting of public menorahs? What is the basis of Hillel and Shammai’s different opinions about the order of lighting the Chanukah candles? How will we light the candles after Moshiach comes? How to navigate when you're at rock bottom with barely any support?\Can we apply the story of hearing the child’s cry to Hashem and His people? Does Miketz hint to the end of golus? Chanukah Dealing with harsh difficulties Miketz