Weekly Women's Class by Rabbi YY Jacobson

Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Behar, 13 Iyar, 5784, May 21, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The Midrash recounts that in the second century, in the famous seaport town of Sidon, on the coast of Lebanon, there lived a married couple blessed with wealth and an honored position in the community. There was, however, a great void in their lives. Although they were married for ten years, they had no children. The couple decided to get divorced. They turned to the great Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for advice. He looked at the couple for a long time, and then he said to them, “I ask only one thing of you both: If you must part, then just as you wed with celebration, so should you part from each other with celebration.” They took his advice and arranged a great feast. During the evening, the husband raised his cup and said to his wife, who would soon leave, “True, this is the last meal we shall share. Before you go, look around at the treasures of this house, choose the most precious jewel your heart desires, and take it back with you to your parents’ house.” The wife did not respond to his offer. Instead, she mixed and spiced the wine, and they drank a lot. The candles burned low in the room, and the husband fell asleep, overcome by heavy drowsiness. While he was asleep, the wife told her servants to lift him on a bed and carry him to her parents’ house. As dawn broke, the husband opened his eyes in a daze and discovered he was in unfamiliar surroundings. Astonished, he asked, “Where am I?” “In the house of my parents,” she said. “Why?” he asked. “This is where you asked to be taken. Did you not say to me last night, ‘Take with you the most precious thing your heart desires?’ To me, dear husband, there is nothing in the world more precious than you. They had found each other again. They now fully realized how strongly they loved each other. The next day, the couple of Sidon appeared again before Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He prayed for the couple, and after a joyful year, they were blessed with a child. What is the message of this story? And why didn’t Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai pray for them in the first place? The story of the couple of Sidon, says the Alter Rebbe, is not only about them; it tells an eternal truth about every marriage and the enduring power of love. When the couple first came to Bar Yochai, their love for each other was conditional and goal-oriented. If the marriage was not producing a child, there was ultimately no point in it. But then as they were about to part, they discovered how deeply they loved each other. They began to celebrate the intrinsic value of love. So, the couple returned to visit the rabbi, not because they had a solution, but because they knew they wanted to be together. Paradoxically, when the couple began to understand the purity of love that has no ulterior motive, their relationship bore fruit. The class explores how our first marriages must morph into second marriages, even with the same partner, and how the setbacks and betrayals we experience are often cries of the soul for a deeper, more authentic, and more vulnerable relationship. We can grow from a superficial relationship to one in which the very relationship means more than anything else. The same is true also in our relationship with Hashem. We tell a story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe saving a marriage, even after divorce, when the husband discovered he was not a Kohen.

Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Kedoshim, 29 Nissan, 5784, May 7, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Metzora, 16 Nissan, 5784, April 16, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tazria, 1 Nissan, 5784, April 9, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Who are the four children of the Haggadah? What’s this great hullabaloo about them? Why four and not five, six, or ten? Why are they central to our Passover experience? What are their questions, and why are these questions so important? The premise to answering these questions is that the four children are not external to us; they are within each of us: Within each of our hearts, there are “four children” who ask four distinct questions. What are four bigquestions on Judaism? 1) The strange laws that we simply cannot wrap our brains ahead. 2) How can small people believe that G-d cares about their lives and actions, especially in a painful and scary universe? 3) I lead my own life and define my destiny; I don’t need G-d. 4) I don’t care. The Haggadah addresses each of these four powerful questions, with which each of us struggles in one way or another. Erev Pesach in Bergen Belzen. The Bloshever Rebbe sacrificed his life to obtain matzah. But when the Nazis discovered the matzah bakery, all was gone besides a few matzos. He decided the elderly would get them. Until a woman's voice was heard: “Binaranu ubezkananu,” the youth must come first.

Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tzav, 16 Adar II, 5784, March 26, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayikra, 9Adar II, 5784, March 19, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Pekudei,25Adar II, 5784, March 12, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. In one of the most bizarre Talmudic stories (Megilah 7b), two of the greatest Talmudic sages feast on Purim together. They are inebriated and one of them slaughters his friend. The next day he brings him back to life. The following year he invites his colleague for another Purim meal. This fascinating class, based on an address of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, re-invents the meaning of the story, and applies it to our daily opportunity to link heaven and earth. Purim represents the gift to experience an ego-death, the portal to true inner connection and bliss.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayakhel, Parshas Shekalim, 25Adar I, 5784, March 5, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. This Sabbath, Jews the world over will read, in addition to the weekly Torah portion, an extra Torah portion, known as Parshas Shekalim, or the "portion of the coins." This section of the Torah records the mitzvah incumbent upon the people of Israel, to make a yearly contribution of a half shekel to cover the cost of all communal Temple offerings. A shekel was a specific weight of silver (about 16 grams) that was the standard coinage used by the Jews in the desert. The Jewish people were instructed to contribute a half-shekel coin, which was a silver coin weighing about 8grams, to the Temple. The Torah is extremely particular about the amount of the contribution: "The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel." I do not think there was ever again in Jewish history an appeal made setting a limit to the contributions of the rich! What is baffling about this mitzvahis the Torah's insistence that the contribution consist of a half-coin, rather than a whole, complete coin. Why would G-d instruct the Jewish people to give a contribution that is not complete? Especially considering that the Torah demands all elements connected to the Temple service be as complete and perfect as possible. In his final address, two days before he suffered a stroke, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, presented a profound explanation. This was Shabbos Vayakhel, 25 Adar I, 5752 (1992). It explored the question if a human being in his deepest placeis a lonely creature, struggling with a mysterious and complex self in a way that nobody else can really understand or appreciate? Many philosophical and spiritual disciplines eloquently describe the sense of solitariness that comes hand in hand with one's journey into the inner chambers of the self. The deeper you go, the lonelier you become.But the Rebbe presented a very different view, one which helps teach us how to live with love and joy, despite the pain and disappointment.

Weekly Women's Class: This Women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Sisa, 18 Adar I, 5784, February 27, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. In the conversation between Hashem and Moshe after the sin of the Golden Calf, G-d says something shocking: “On the day I make an accounting, I will bring their sin to account against them.” G-d, it seems, is telling Moses He will never forget this sin. And whenever He is going to make an accounting, this sin will be included in the “package.” This is deeply enigmatic. It is one of the foundations of Judaism that Teshuvah, repentance, atones for all sins and wipes them away completely. Every Yom Kippur, we declare that Hashem “removes our sins every year again.” No matter how many times we commit a sin, if we repent, we are forgiven. Teshuvah removes all guilt. It’s over. Yet here we are told that G-d will never let go of this transgression? The most marvelous answer was presented by the famed Chassidic master and one of the greatest lovers of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov (1740-1809). In a daring interpretation, classic to the Chassidic approach toward Judaism, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak becomes the great “advocate” for the Jewish people, as he always was. The class explores two models of education, one based on outer behavior and control, and the other one on connection and trust, and developing an internal relationship which allows a child to feel understood and empowered. We focus on the need to appreciate our successes, not only our failures.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 11Adar I, 5784, February 20, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The class explores the end of the Code of Jewish Law on the availability of constant bliss, the joy of the month of Adar, and the grief of the month of Av. We explore the enigmatic Talmudic story of Reb Akiva's visit to Rome and why he laughed, the explanation of the Alter Rebbe on bliss and pain, and the exchange between the Rebbe and Eli Wiesel on the question of the Holocaust, and why Jews have not lost their faith, even in the face of such adversity. We finally explain how pain and joy merge together in the profoundest experience of the soul's bliss.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Mishpatim, 27 Shvat, 5784, February 6, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Yisro, 20 Shvat, 5784, January 30, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 13 Shvat, 5784, January 23, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Bo, 6 Shvat, 5784, January 16, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 21Tevet, 5784, January 2, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Why Moshe? Why was he chosen as the first and greatest Jewish leader, teacher, and prophet? The Torah does not provide an explicit reason. But it does give us a clue. Often people ask me why the Torah focuses so much on men. The question is strange, because in Genesis, almost every important history-changing decision is made by a woman. And in Shemos, it is six women who are responsible for the entire story of the Egyptian Exodus: Shifra, Puah, Yocheved, Miriam, Pharaoh’s daughter Batya, and Tziporah. These six extraordinary people refused to bow their heads to the inevitable; they are giants in the story of mankind and in the story of the Jewish people. They were also, it seems, the role models who molded, crafted, and mentored Moses; they taught him how to live, how to think, how to act. The three stories the Torah shares about Moses, which made him the man suitable to be the greatest leader ever, are essentially all stories inspired by these women who impacted his life, who—like our mothers, wives and daughters to this very day—helped him become the person who would change history forever. The class concludes with a life-changing message by Einav Efrat Danino, the mother of Ori, 24, who was taken captive by Hamas on October 7th 2023, may we see his redemption, and the redemption of all the hostages, very soon.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 14 Tevet, 5784, December 26, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. On his deathbed Jacob speaks to Joseph: “A charming son is Joseph, a son charming to the eye; the women strode along to see him. They made his life bitter and they quarreled with him; archers despised him.” Rashi explains: “The women of Egypt strode out on the wall to gaze upon his beauty." What is Jacob trying to bring out? Literally, that Joseph’s beauty was dazzling. Not only was he appealing to any eye that saw him, but even the Egyptian women were enthralled by his figure. They ascended the walls and fortresses of Egypt to be able to gaze at him. But why is thisrelevant on the deathbed of Jacob? For this we have to understand what was at the root of this conflict in the first family of Israel? Could it be that a multicolored coat or a favorite son’s share of his father’s affections should generate such profound strife? Something deeper was at stake. Joseph and Judah embodied two divergent worldviews. They possessed different approaches on the meaning of Judaism, which was just beginning to bud, and how we achieve a state of transcendent oneness. There is a remarkable law in Talmud: While when the Temple existed in Jerusalem you can only eat the meat of the sacrifices within the Jerusalem walls, when the Tabernacle stood in Shilo, in Joseph’s territory, you can eat the meat of the offerings as far as the eye could behold the Tabernacle. This law captures the magic and revolution of Joseph which we must emulate today. We explore the unique role of women in gazing at Joseph, and the power of the woman to reveal Divine oneness within the material fragmented reality. The class explains how our daily lives must integrate the visions of Judah and Joseph, so that even as our thoughts can pull us in all directions, we remain anchored in the "solar core."

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayigash, 7 Tevet, 5784, December 19, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Finally one of the most dramatic stories in the Torah reaches its climax. Yosefreveals himself to his brothers and ultimately reunites with his beloved father after 22 years of heart-break and suffering. The brothers are first shocked, embarrassed, and then finally relieved. But let us take a step back. Yosefhad recognized his brothers immediately, yet chose to conceal this fact. Instead, he accused them, imprisoned them, and forced them to and from Egypt, ultimately tearing beloved Benjamin away from Yaakov, and causing his elderly father more unnecessary prolonged suffering. If he forgave them, then he should have revealed himself immediately, and reunited with his father?! And finally, only after this whole ordeal does he choose to do what he should have done initially, identify himself. Why did he do this? Was it revenge? Or to exact punishment on his brothers? This class will show how Yosef’s actions show us the depth of true healing, and define the process of true repentance. Yosefwas not manipulating his brothers; on the contrary, he was guiding them. It was only due to his superficial ‘heartlessness’ that sincere, heartfelt, reconciliation became possible. Healing, or Teshuvah has three irreplaceable components: remorse for the past, resolve for the future, and finally, a moment, a déjà vu, when that resolve is fully actualized and proven. Joseph wanted to ensure that his brothers experienced all three so that a new chapter in history can begin. The lessons today, as the Jewish people are at war, are powerful. This is a time for internal transformation.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayeshev, 22 Kislev, 5784, December 5, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 15 Kislev, 5784, November 28, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday,Parshas Vayetzei,8 Kislev, 5784, November 21, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.