MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should our focus be during this last week before Rosh Hashana?   25 Elul What is the significance and personal application of this day?  How can we say that the world was created on the 25th of Elul when time itself was a creation and there was no time before creation? What is unique about this year beginning on Shabbos? And it being the longest possible year? Has anyone come up with a good acronym for Tov Shin Pei Zayin? Do you have anything to say about the fact that we have 213 years left until the end of the sixth millennium? Should we be afraid of Judgment Day? What can I do about the heaviness and guilt I feel every Rosh Hashana? Is everything I do for myself and not for G-d a sin? Why should I bother going to shul on Rosh Hashana? Especially considering that my prayers are not being answered? What is the source in Torah that on Rosh Hashana we coronate Hashem as King? If the creation of the universe and G-d's coronation as King is dependent on us, how did that come to be at the outset of creation before there was an “us”? Since “malchus has nothing of its own” do we say that our relationship with G-d is completely dependent on us? What is the difference between the renewal of existence on Rosh Hashana and its renewal every moment? How could G-d consult the angels about creation when the angels themselves were created? Are there any differences between how the 13 attributes of mercy manifest in Elul and how they manifest in the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? What is the connection between Atem Netzavim HaYom and Rosh Hashana? Why was the shofar sounded in the Beis Ha’Mikdash on Shabbos? Since Shabbos accomplishes the same thing the shofar accomplishes, why do we need to sound the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashana? What is the sequence of the holidays following Rosh Hashana? What is yechida and how do we access it on Yom Kippur? What is the significance of the joy of Sukkos following the Days of Awe? Why do they have to remain hidden? 5787 Rosh Hashana Yom Kippur and Sukkos 36 Tzaddikim (follow-up) 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What is Chai Elul's Personal Message to Us? Who revealed to us that this day is the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe? Why was it kept secret for many years? What is the meaning of the statement that Chai Elul infuses chayus into the entire month of Elul? What is the source that the last twelve days of this month correspond to the twelve months of the year? And what is the connection with Chai Elul?  Why did the Baal Shem Tov sign his name “Yisroel from Okup” when he was born in Tlust? What is the story about the Baal Shem Tov’s previous reincarnation? What is the significance of the Alter Rebbe being a neshama chadasha? Why does such a neshama need 24 months of gestation? Who was Achiya HaShiloni, the teacher of the Baal Shem Tov, and what is their connection? What do we know about the thirty-six hidden tzaddikim? What were the two last things the Baal Shem Tov heard from his father, and how did that shape him and the philosophy of Chassidus? Why was the Baal Shem Tov not arrested for spreading Chassidus like the Alter Rebbe? What is the connection with the establishment of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim? Do we know why the cornerstone of 770's expansion was laid on the 17th of Elul? Why do they say that if you don't believe Baal Shem Tov stories you are an apikores and if you do believe them, you are a fool? Did the Baal Shem Tov banish demons from this earth?Why did the Frierdiker Rebbe get married on a Friday, as was customary then, but today we don't usually have weddings on a Friday? Does the “king in the field” mean that Elul impacts us even if we don’t improve our behavior? And does this power exist all year round?  How do we reconcile the explanation of ani l’dodi v’dodi li with the Frierdiker Rebbe’s interpretation that it refers to businesspeople and scholars? How do we justify tragedies in this month of compassion? Why are our prayers not being answered? 13 Elul Elul Thank you 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should our focus be during these days of Elul? What makes Elul unique? Is Elul initiated from below (Ani L’Dodi) or from above (the king in the field)? (follow-up) How do we create vessels for G-d's blessings this time of the year? If the king is in the field during Elul, where does that leave us the rest of the year? Is G-d more present during this time of the year? I’ve had a very difficult year... What more can I do to ensure that the thirteen attributes of compassion manifest in my life? Since G-d does all the mitzvos he commands us to do, how does He perform the mitzva of teshuva? Can we say that this is like tzaddikim doing teshuva? How can we say that G-d “regrets” anything? Why does a Baal Teshuva reach higher than a Tzaddik? Why are there no Shoftim maamorim in Likkutei Torah? Can we bless someone with a happy new year over the phone? Should they answer amen? What is the power of answering amen? Is the blessing valid and does it work even without answering amen? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the significance of “Tavo” and the mitzva of the first fruit offering (bikurim) What do we know about the stones upon which the Torah was inscribed?  How do we possibly explain the hidden blessing in child cannibalism?! Why did the Rebbe tell us to celebrate and be extra joyous on the Frierdiker rebbes wedding anniversary? Ki Tavo 13 Elul G-d leading our footsteps when we travel on vacation (follow-up) Are we allowed to pray for others without their knowledge and consent? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What should our focus be during these early days of Elul? 05:03 • How does Av give birth to Elul? 01:04 • What is unique about the “king in the field” in Elul when we have access to G-d all year round? 08:59 • Is Elul initiated from below (Ani L’Dodi) or from above (the king in the field)? 15:29 • What are the thirteen attributes of divine compassion (Yud Gimmel Midos HaRachamim)? 20:43 • How are they related to the Yud Gimmel Tikkunei Dikna (thirteen strands of the beard)? 24:11 • What more can I do to ensure that these attributes of compassion manifest in my life? 30:27 • Is there a connection between Elul and the similar sounding word hilulah? 38:12 • What’s the best way to bless someone for a happy new year? 40:06 • Is it enough just to bless each other for a good year, or do we need to do some action as well? 42:40 • Why don’t we refrain from sounding the shofar thirty days before Rosh Hashana as we do with eating matzah before Pesach? 44:25 • What maamar would you suggest we study in Elul that discusses the spiritual energy of the month of Elul? 47:30How do I deal with a guilty past? • How to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy remorse? 49:42 • Can the mystical concept of sheviras ha’keilim help us in this process? 54:20Ki Teitzei • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 58:55 • Why do we “go out” (ki teitzei) to wage war, and we do so “above our enemies” (al oi’vecho)? 58:55 • How does that dramatically change the way we face life challenges? 01:00:50 Who is leading our footsteps when we travel on vacation? 01:02:38Camp (follow-up) • Does Gan Israel suggest a level lower than Israel? 01:05:30

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus during these days as we transition from Av to Elul? Why is Elul a special month?  How do we maximize its opportunities? What is our main work this month? What is its personal relevance in our lives? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the connection between Shoftim and Elul? Why does the Torah prohibit sorcery and witchcraft? How is it different from a doctor? Can this be applied to going to shamans today for plant medicine ceremonies? Why were those exiled to the cities of refuge freed upon the passing of the High Priest? What does this teach us about current leaders? What lessons do we learn from the Eglah Arufah? Why is a king prohibited from buying many horses? How does this apply today? Why did the Shaloh ask his son not to build a house more opulent than his needs?  Why did the Rebbe reject a new car?Should we pray based on our merits or asking for G-d's favor? Follow-up Shoftim Vaetchanan Who named it Camp Gan Israel? What was the relationship between Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and the Rebbe?  Are we allowed to take off our yarmulkas for any reason?   How can I encourage my spouse to stop speaking negatively about one of our children to another child?