Mylife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to this Omer period How does refinement of our characters reflect the unique power of being a Jew? What is the best response to adversity and hatred?  How do you celebrate the beauty of your soul while recognizing the despicable toxins of your selfish body? Lessons from Tanya chapter 31. How do we apply Netzach, this week’s sefirah/midah, to today’s challenges? Why don’t we listen to music during this period? What is the connection between refining our character traits with the Omer barley offering? What lessons do we learn from the R’ Yisroel Aryeh Leib’s 74th yahrzeit? What did the Rebbe say after he stood up from Shiva in 1952? What does his name indicate? What does this day teach us? Does it have any specific application to current events?  What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha?  Why does the Torah seemingly discriminate against handicapped priests? Sharing a personal miracle in my family Is it

Beis Iyar • How do we apply l’chatchila ariber in our lives? 01:30Acharei-Kedoshim • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 13:04 • Is there a connection between these two chapters? 19:20 • How do I sanctify my life? 17:40 • What was wrong with Nadav and Avihu’s behavior? 19:28Tazria-Metzora • What is the relevance of the spiritual maladies in these Torah portions to our times? 24:10 • How does one find mental, emotional and psychological healing? 24:10 • Is there a connection between Mitzrayim and Metzora? 27:15Iyar • Does Ani Hashem Rofecho include all forms of healing? 29:20Omer • What maamar would you suggest we learn that explains Sefiras Ha’Omer? 37:25 • Why do we need to refine our emotions every year when the Jews already did that before receiving the Torah? 39:55 • Why do we only refine our emotional midos and not our intellectual midos? 42:23 • How do we understand chesed within chesed, gevurah within gevurah etc.? 45:24 • Is it inapprop

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Alef Nissan Pesach Do we say Gut Yom Tov today? How do we honor the Rebbe’s birthday? What is the single most important thing each of us should do on this special day? How did the Rebbe celebrate his birthday? What were the events that led to the things done for Yud Alef Nissan 5742 – eighty years? What is the significance of the number eleven? Is it significant that “peace in Israel” are the last words in Tehillim chapter 125, which we begin reciting today? Do some people receive answers from the Rebbe more than others?  Miracles and Iran Seder What is the relevance of the war in Iran to Pesach? What's the underlying message of Pesach? What does it truly mean to be free?  How is the energy of Nissan and Pesach different than that of ani l’dodi v’dodi li of Elul and Tishrei? Do I have to observe the holiday if I am experiencing financial difficulties, which cause stress and anxiety, antithetical to the theme of Passover? Why is Passover celebrated on t

Topics:Nissan, Miracles and Iran What can we expect in this month of Nissan, a month of miracles and redemption? 06:57Are there parallels between the redemption from Egypt and today’s battles? 04:50How do Pesach and Mitzrayim reveal the inside story of history in general, and specifically the current war against Iran? 22:35What is the connection to the month of Nissan? 12:30What is the meaning of a miracle? 07:12How victory over Iran – and today’s miracles – will bring to conclusion events that began with Abraham and Egypt over 3300 years ago? 12:40What will the Middle East and the world look like with the elimination of Iran as a threat? 18:30How can today’s events help us bring our Pesach Seder alive? 22:30Can we see the Strait of Hormuz as a modern version of mitzrayim, as in dire straits? 25:08How today’s war needs to be fought in our personal lives in microcosm? 30:00War in IranHow should we be reacting to the current war? 32:58What responsibility do we carry in this time? 37:25What should be our respons

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: War in Iran Should we be supporting this war? How do we determine when war is just? How do we understand the deeper cosmic battle between Rome (the Western World) and Persia (the Arab/Muslim World) How can we envision these battles leading us into the Geulah?  How should we react to antisemitic and anti-Chabad rhetoric by media personalities? Is there anything positive that we can learn from this? Is it appropriate to wear patches with an image of the third temple? Do we continue increasing in joy throughout the entire month? How does joy empower us in challenging times? Is there a connection between the good mazal of joy and the Torah portions discussing the building of the Mishkan? What is the significance of building a sanctuary? How do we apply it to our lives today? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why does the Torah repeat the details of building the mishkan? Adar Vayakhel-Pikudei Can brochos come to som

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Purim and Persia: Then and Now What lessons can we learn from Purim about today’s events in Iran? How do we connect the dots of many seemingly fragmented events now and throughout history? Why would anyone think of reading the Megillah backwards? What are the parallels between ancient and modern-day Persia? Is it providential that Khamenei and his cohorts were wiped out while we were reading the Torah portion about obliterating Amalek?  What happened on Purim 1953 when the Rebbe led the chassidism in shouting hoo-ra hoo-ra three times, and its connection to Stalin’s death that night? How does that apply to our times? What was the general theme of the maamar the Rebbe delivered then? What is the central message of Purim? Why is G-d's name not mentioned in the Megillah? If our enemies cannot hurt us within the structures of nature, how do we explain tragedies that we suffered throughout history? How do we reconcile the Purim miracle being dressed up in natur

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Adar What does Purim teach us about retroactively transforming a negative past? Is there a connection between joy and Pisces, the sign of Adar? Why is Adar made up of the two words, “alef dar”? Are there other reasons why we increase in joy during this month? Does Adar have an association with Adaru (this month in Akkadian and Babylonian), which means darkness and gloom? Can animals be trained to do mitzvos? 7 Adar Why don’t we make a bigger deal of this day – the birthday and yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu? How do we apply Zayin Adar to our lives? 11 Adar What do we learn from the Rogatchover Gaon, whose yahrzeit is on this day? Tetzaveh What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why is Moshe’s name not mentioned in this Parsha? What is the positive reason for this? Why is the pure olive oil, the ketoros and the Yom Kippur service not discussed in the same Torah portion of the actual building of the Mishkan and its vessels

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Adar Why do we increase in joy during this month? What unique opportunity does this month offer us? Can you begin your program about Adar with a piece of humor? Is this entire month filled with joy? What is the difference between the good mazal of Shevat and that of Adar? Is this a month when Iran will be held accountable just as it was with Persia of old? How do we reconcile the fact that ancient Persia allowed us to rebuild the second Temple and Rome destroyed it, with the tables being turned today with Iran being our enemy and the Western empires being our allies? Should we be praying for the innocent people of Iran? Which events during the 1991 Persian Gulf War did the Rebbe cite as signs that the world is ready for Moshiach — and that all we need to do is open our eyes? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? How do we create a sanctuary for G-d today?  What is the significance of the holy ark?Can we compare G-d

Episode 580 When: Sunday, February 8, 8:00PM ETFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chof Beis Shevat How did this day impact the Rebbe and what do we learn from that? What is the significance of this day for each one of us? Can you share a short biography and some stories about the Rebbetzin?  What practical actions should we be doing in honor of this day? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why weren’t all Torah laws given at the same time? Why do rational laws (mishpatim) have to be built upon the foundation of Sinai, Anochi Hashem Elokecho? Why was the Torah given on Mt. Sinai and not on Mt. Moriah, the Temple Mount? Since the Patriarchs studied and kept the entire Torah, what was unique about Matan Torah? What is the significance of naaseh v’nishma? And what is the logic of committing to something before hearing what you are committing to? Is there a connection between the ten

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: 15th of Shevat Why do we celebrate the New Year for Trees? Why don’t we celebrate it on the third day of creation, when trees and vegetation were created?  How do trees celebrate their new year? What is the basis of Shammai and Hillel’s different opinions of when we celebrate the new year for trees? Can it serve as an analogy for stages in the revelation of Moshiach? Was this day celebrated in Biblical times? What is a 15th of Shevat Seder and how do we conduct one? What are some lessons we learn from trees? Is there a source that Shevat is the acronym of sheyihi besuros tovos? Why is Shevat considered a month of good news when sad events took place in it, such as the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? How do the three major events in the book Shemos – Exodus, Matan Torah, building the mishkan – reflect three key stages in our personal, collective and c

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Shevat/Basi L’Gani What is the main theme of Basi L’Gani and this year’s 16th chapter? What is the mission of our generation? What is the role of Gan Eden today? Why can’t the Divine be revealed in the presence of sins? What treasures are being splurged to win today’s wars? If the treasures are being splurged, why are some of us struggling financially? How do we benefit from learning about higher spiritual worlds and levels of G-dliness that we might be unable to access in our physical world?   Does the power to conceal require deeper energy than the power to reveal? How would you define a Rebbe in one word? How do you translate “bittul”? Is tzedakah an act of bittul?  Should we add tzedakah in honor of Yud Shevat? What is the Torah view on alternative forms of healing, such as breathwork, plant medicine, somatic therapy and others? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Rosh Chodesh Shevat • What is the significance of this month and what should be the main focus of our avodah in this time? 02:36 • What do we learn from the mazal of Shevat – bucket (d’li)? 02:36 • What does the word Shevat mean? 07:20Bo • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 10:42 • Why does this parsha combine both the end of the exile and the beginning of the redemption? 11:04 • Why does it mean that during the plague of darkness, there was “light among the Jews”? 14:30 • Why did that light not dispel the surrounding darkness? 17:39 • Why did Pharaoh survive the plague of the firstborn? 21:22 • Why did the exodus begin with the mitzvah of HaChodesh Hazeh Lochem, establishing a lunar based calendar, and why was this the first commandment in Torah? 23:03 • What was the significance of offering the Pascal Lamb and what was the process? 27:16How can we benefit today from the fact that the Jews left Egypt

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

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

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

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

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

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What is unique about the month of Kislev, and what lessons does it offer us? Yud Tes Kislev Why is this day the Rosh Hashana of Chassidus? Why was Chassidus revealed in the later generations? What is the difference between “before Petersburg” and “after Petersburg”? What do we learn from this day? Why was there a heavenly accusation against the Alter Rebbe for teaching Chassidus? Should we be afraid to say a dvar torah at the Shabbos table lest the heavenly court indict us? How do we explain the Alter Rebbe’s analogy of Chassidus being like the most precious crown jewel being crushed to help save the life of the royal prince? How do you compare the Alter Rebbe’s spreading of Chassidus to other Kabbalists who taught Penimiyus HaTorah? Why did they not face resistance? Is Chassidus based on the Zohar and Kabbalah or is something entirely different? Is learning the Tanya compared to having a personal yechidus with the Alter Rebbe? What “second half” is necessary

What is unique about the month of Kislev, and what lessons does it offer us?  Yud Kislev What do we learn from this day? What distinguishes the liberations of the Mitteler Rebbe’s on Yud Kislev and the Alter Rebbe on Yud Tes Kislev? How are these differences connected to chochmah and binah? Do we know why this day is not celebrated with the same level of festivities as the 19th of Kislev?  Can you summarize the Maamar Padah B’sholom Nafshi, delivered by the Rebbe on the 10th of Kislev 5722? What was the name of the Mitteler Rebbe’s maamar discussing the reasons for the decree of drafting the Cantonists? And what lessons can we learn from it that we can apply to other tragedies and evil decrees against us? Why is this the day that connected the Rebbe to us? How do we practically apply the Rebbe and the Rebbe’s anniversary to our personal lives? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the deeper meaning in the story of Jacob and Esau – their battle and reconci

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Kislev Why is it called the month of geulah? What message does this month teach us in our personal lives? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the personal application of Vayetzei Yaakov? What is represented by Jacob’s ladder and the angels ascending and descending?Why is prayer compared to a ladder?Why was there a need for G-d to make a promise to Jacob when He had already promised the same thing to Abraham? How could Jacob be fooled by Laban when he knew the entire Torah? What do we learn from Rachel giving the signs to Leah? How was Yaakov and Leah's marriage valid according to halacha if the kesuba named Rachel and not Leah? Who were Bilhah and Zilpah? Did Bilhah and Zilpah consent to marriage? How do we explain all the allegorical and mystical interpretations in Torah seemingly justifying questionable behavior? What is the difference between the balance of chesed and gevurah and tiferes? Was there