MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Preparing for the New Year • What should be our focus during these last days of Elul? • What do we learn from the creation of the universe on the 25th of Elul? • Looking back at 5785 can we say it was a good year? • How can we prepare for the New Year if we feel empty and alone due to family separations? • Can a person prepare for the New Year while remaining emotionally unhealthy? • How can I prepare properly for Rosh Hashana when I am struggling financially and it's taking a toll on my shalom bayis? • Just as we need time to prepare for the coronation of the king, can we say that the 31 years since Gimmel Tammuz was needed to prepare for the coronation of Moshiach? Netzavim • Why do we always read this Parsha before Rosh Hashana? • What lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha? • Unity • Redemption • Torah’s personal relevance • Choose life • What did this covenant add to the Sinai covenant? • How does Tanya explain the verse ki karov ey’lecha ha’dovar me’od b'picha u'blvovcha la’soso?How can I find a trustworthy and competent mashpia? How should we react to the assassination of Charlie Kirk? • Should we be supportive of him though he advocated Christianity? • How should we respond to his enemies mocking him? What does the Torah mean when it says that after the Geulah our mouths will be filled with laughter?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus as we begin the third week of Elul?  What is unique about the month of Elul? Why is the entire month of Elul not a holiday due to the revelation of the Divine compassion during this month? Why does Elul include V’Dodi Li (from above), which seems to be primarily during the holidays in Tishrei? Why am I not seeing the blessings that I asked for from the “king in the field”? What else can I do to help reveal these blessings?Did the Rebbe say that the parable of the “king in the field” teaches us that influential people need to go into the fields to greet regular people and make sure they have everything they need physically and spiritually? Is there a correlation between the king leaving his palace and going into the field to the concept of dira b'tachtonim, the king leaving the higher worlds and dwelling in the lower worlds? If we are meeting the “king in the field” why do we wait an entire month to coronate Him? Is there a connection between Elul and education? How can an emotionally unhealthy person prepare for the New Year?What can be done about the dissonance between being extremely religious in certain areas and despicable in human relationships? What is the significance of this day? How did Chassidus come to address the abovementioned dissonance? How does Chai Elul infuse more life into Elul to help us get ready for the new year? Do we know of other “new” souls besides the Alter Rebbe? What lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha? Chai Elul Ki Tavo 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus as we begin the second week of Elul?  How can Elul practically help us in our daily struggles? Since we can do teshuva in the “blink of an eye” why do we need thirty days of Elul and ten days of teshuva? How do we apply the Alter Rebbe’s example of the “king in the field” in our daily lives? What did the Rebbe add to this example? Is there value in just wanting to be better, even if no action is taken? How can we ensure that we are creating the proper containers in Elul to receive the Divine blessings? Can we tap into Elul’s energy all year round? How does sof maaseh b'machshava techila relate to the month of Elul as the last month of the year leading into the new year? What personal and global lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha in how to fight our life battles? How do we explain the Torah allowing taking a “beautiful woman” captive during war? What are the practical applications of remembering what Amalek did to us? Can we apply Amalek to the war against Hamas? Why aren’t more religious Jews joining this war? Why are sin offerings brought in the holy temple relevant for us to read today, as well as after the geulah when evil will be eradicated? Are we davening properly? What impact should prayer have on us and our emotional intelligence? How can we make davening a more transformative experience? Ki Teitzei Prayer What can Chassidus teach us about trichotillomania (hair pulling)? As a non-Jew, will learning Hebrew and studying Torah make my life happy? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus as we begin the month of Elul?  What is unique about this month? What journey did Moshe take on Rosh Chodesh Elul? How do we recreate that journey in our lives? Why does the name Elul, adopted from Babylonian, carry so much weight?  Is there a connection between Elul and hilula? What are the thirteen divine attributes of mercy, how are they more revealed in this month and how can we benefit from them? Why do we blow shofar during this month? Why don’t we begin on the 15th of Av? What did the Rebbe suggest we do during Elul to ensure we have a sweet and successful new year? What personal and global lessons can we learn from the judges and law enforcers we appoint at our gates? What are these gates referring to? Why did the kohen speak to the troops before they went to war? Why is sorcery prohibited? What can we learn from eglah arufah? Can it be applied to the responsibility of those that allowed October 7th to happen? How can we learn Chassidus not just conceptually but as a practical guide for life? What is Ahavas Hashem and how is it expressed in our daily lives? Shoftim Is Chassidus impacting our lives? What takes precedent – mental health or religious commitment? What is Zionism? How should we relate to people of other faiths? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus as we move from the month of Av into the month of Elul?  How does the Jewish calendar mirror our life cycles? How does it help us navigate the ups and downs of our lives?  How do we apply the acronym of Elul in our personal lives? What is the significance of the rose in the verse I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me, he who grazes among the roses? Why is the path of the opposite of blessing considered a gift? What is the message of Re’eh – vision? What personal and global lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha? If the weekly Torah portion captures the energy of the corresponding time period, can the Parsha in which I was born tell me about my life mission? If prayer replaced the temple offerings, and they were only allowed to be brought in the temple, then why are we allowed to pray at home? Are there people whose personalities and characters have been refined and transformed by Chassidus? Why is Chassidus not inspiring many of us?  How can we improve how Chassidus is being taught in our schools and ensure that it inspires and is internalized into the next generation? How can we learn Chassidus not just conceptually but as a practical guide for life? Re’eh Is Chassidus impacting our lives? 

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answeredDonate now: https://mylife500.comFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus as we go forward from the 15th of Av? • What is the significance and the virtue of the nights getting longer? 02:02 • What do we learn from the full moon – when it reflects the sun in its entirety? 04:43 • What is the meaning of yichud shimsha v’sihera, the union of sun and moon? • How is this connected to increasing in Torah study? 08:46 • What are its lessons to our personal lives? Chof Av • What is the relevance of this day to us all? • Is there a connection between this day to the coming New Year? • What is a timely teaching from Reb Levi Yitzchak that we can all learn from? • How does a mezuzah reflect peace at home between husband and wife? • Why do we begin wishing each other a happy new year starting on the 15th of Av? • Why is Yom Kippur considered a joyous holiday? • What is its connection to the 15th of Av? Va’etchanan • What do we learn from Moshe’s 515 prayers to enter the Promised Land? How should we react to negative predictions about the future? Is Chassidus impacting our lives? • Are there people whose personalities and characters have been refined and transformed by Chassidus? • Why is Chassidus not inspiring many of us? • How can we improve how Chassidus is being taught in our schools and ensure that it inspires and is internalized into the next generation? What guidelines should be followed in publicizing private materials of the Rebbeim?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to Tisha B’Av How does this day capture the paradox of a Jew? Why are we still grieving? What is the healthy way of mourning over loss while not being defined by it? Should the main focus of this day be the sadness and grief over the destruction of the Holy Temple, or should it be the joy and happiness that the third Temple will be revealed and be greater than the first two? Why was Moshiach born in the darkest moments of this saddest day of the year? Why did the other sages not laugh like Rabbi Akiva; were they not aware of the future prophecy? Is there a custom to do a “prank” on Tisha B’av as in the story with Reb Yisroel Ruzhiner? Are we supposed to continue the mourning on the 10th of Av? How important is unity in repairing the wounds of Tisha B’Av? And how does that apply today to winning the battles with our enemies? Can we apply Tisha B’av to healing from all forms of illness? What is a balanced Torah approach to healing and medicine? Should we listen to doctors who only medicate and do not address the soul? What is the significance of Shabbat Nachamu? Why the double Nachamu Nachamu Ami? Why is the 15th of Av such a great holiday comparable to Yom Kippur? What can we learn from the joyous events that occurred on this day to give us hope that we will endure and thrive despite the latest demonstrations of antisemitism? Did the Rebbe say that the breaking of the axe also symbolizes that we have finished our work of refining the world?  Why was public dancing permitted on this day? How is it consistent with strict standards of modesty followed today?Nachamu/15th of Av How should we respond to questions about the recently publicized photo of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin? Follow-up 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Why are we still mourning? The inside story of the Nine Days: A Chassidic perspective  Rosh Chodesh Av What lessons do we learn from Aaron’s yahrzeit? What is the significance of him passing away on Har HaHar? What lessons do we learn from the Arzial’s yahrzeit?  Chassidus Applied: What are the spiritual roots of pain, dissonance and unhappiness? How does this relate to the tzimtzum harishon, (cosmic concealment) sheviras ha’keilim (shattering of the containers) and the reshimu (cosmic trace)? Can we connect the “big bang” theory with sheviras ha’keilim? How can there be evil in the world created by a good G-d? What psychological lessons do we learn from this period in dealing with our own challenges? What can I do about my insecurities, self-consciousness and self-centeredness? What is the Chassidic perspective on pain and suffering?Is the Rebbe angry with me? 5 Av Nine Days How should we respond to questions about the recently publicized photo of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin?  How can I channel my artistic talent toward transcendent goals? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Three Weeks and Moshiach What powerful psychological lessons do we learn from this period in dealing with our own setbacks and difficulties? How do we look at today’s events in the Middle East through the lens of the Three Weeks? Are they a sign of the imminent redemption? After all the signs and promises that Moshiach is about to come, how do we avoid being skeptical that it will happen now? What did the Rebbe mean when he said that the birurim were completed? How do we receive and greet Moshiach? How to achieve geulah consciousness? Will the Third Temple be a physical structure or a spiritual state of consciousness? What does it mean that we are not “obligated to finish the job, but we are not free to abandon it” either? The Rebbe said: “do all you can.” What more can we do? Should we be trying any “trick” methods to bring the geulah? Should we be quitting our jobs and just be focusing on the work to prepare ourselves and the world for Moshiach? Does the geulah have to come by the year 6000? How can we integrate the geulah paradigm into our daily lives and routines? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: 17 Tammuz Why is breaching the walls surrounding Jerusalem a tragedy marked by a fast day? How is this day relevant to our lives? What can we learn from its tragedies to help motivate us during these turbulent times? What does this period teach us about current events? Why will these days be transformed into joyous holidays? What actions should we take during this time? What are both positive and negative signs of the imminent redemption? Does G-d protect each one of us? Are Jews more susceptible to suffering? Why do we grieve during the Three Weeks and don’t just accept that this was G-d's will? What is the central theme and lesson from this week’s Torah portion? How do we determine when we must take initiative like Pinchas and not ask our leaders? Should we seek out a modern-day Pinchas to zealously protect us against our enemies? What are we to think about Jews marching with our enemies? Do you know who this musician is?  Why do people accuse Israel of committing genocide when Israel is the victim? What is wrong with our PR? What can we do differently to help present the true narrative? Three Weeks Pinchas The story gone viral: A musician inspires a woman to light candles Could the possible election of an openly anti-Semitic mayor in New York city be Hashem’s way of getting Jews to move to Israel?  War in Gaza 

Ep. 550: How Does the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Liberation Impact Us Today?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Gimmel Tammuz How can we describe and explain this day? How do we honor this day? Why do we say that the presence of a tzaddik is stronger after they pass away?  What was the Rebbe’s last major teaching before Chof Zayin Adar and Gimmel Tammuz? What maamar of the Rebbe would you recommend we study on this day? How is Gimmel Tammuz this year, 31 years later, different from previous years? Are there guidelines on how to pray at the Ohel to realize the best results? Why do some people see their prayers fulfilled more than others? Is there a connection between Korach challenging Moshe’s leadership and Gimmel Tammuz? Is there a connection with the theme of Parshas Chukas, about purification from the toxins of death? What can we do to not feel depressed and threatened by today’s world events? What did the Rebbe say about wars waged in Persia? Can we say that the Rebbe is Moshiach after Gimmel Tammuz? Will everyone in the world immediately know that Moshiach has arrived? Is this a positive thing? What would the Rebbe say? Is there a connection between Khamenei and Haman? Did the Rebbe say that one way to defeat irrational hatred is by increasing in irrational love? What is the connection between suprarational laws and engraved letters – both interpretations of the word Chukas? What can we learn from the story of Moshe hitting the rock instead of speaking to it? What would the Rebbe advise?  Should we move out of New York?How will those sensitive to heat move to Israel?Ceasefire between Israel and Iran Chukas How should we react to the nomination of an anti-Israel NY Mayoral candidate? What lessons can we learn from the recent heat wave? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should we focus on during this time? What's a good way to thank Hashem publicly for all the great miracles he did to protect us from Iran's attacks? What lessons about current events can we learn from these days and this week’s Torah portion? Should we be relying on President Trump and the USA to help Israel? How will this war change the future of the world?  What is our role in these unfolding events? How can we inspire each other? Are there parallels between Haman and Khamenei and between Persia then and Persia today? Are we to blame in any way for today’s events? Once Iran is vanquished, what happens next? How do we reconcile G-d's all pervasive unity (ein od m’levado) with forces of evil? Should we be gathering names of our enemies online? Are we allowed to watch a video or read updates about the war posted in Israel on Shabbos? Should we be seeking vengeance and retribution over our enemies? 

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answeredDonate now: https://mylife500.comFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:How should we react to Operation Rising Lion? • What is G-d's message to us today? 05:36 • What can we learn from the operation being called Rising Lion, from the verse k’lovi yokum? 16:20 • Is the lion, the symbol of Judah, connected to Moshiach? 20:17 • What can we do about this situation? 27:40 • Should we be afraid? 31:38 • With open miracles taking place, is this an auspicious time for receiving G-d's blessings? 34:36 • Is there a deeper story unfolding? 36:59 • What are the historical and spiritual roots of this conflict? 41:00 • Are there parallels between the current war with Iran and the war with our enemies in ancient Persia concluding with our victory celebrated on Purim? 43:20 • Where is this headed? 47:15 • What did you learn from your time with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Argentinian President Milei last week? 48:30 • Is it true that you were with them at the Western Wall hours before the attack? 48:30 • Do you know why Netanyahu put on a tallis when he prayed and placed his note in the wall? 48:30 • What did he write in his note? 48:30 • What transpired and what did you experience at the Wall? 48:30 • What is the significance of that visit in context of the events that followed? 56:13 • Do these days in the year and these weekly Torah portions offer any lessons to current events? 57:58 • What can we learn from the verses about the Ark protecting the Jewish people and the trumpets used in time of war? 57:50 59:00 • Should I sound a shofar during this time? 59:20 • Is it a coincidence that Israel launched a strategic defensive attack against Iran on 6/13? 01:00:40 • Is there a connection between this week’s parsha about the spies and Mossad’s spying on Iran? 01:01:30 • Can we glean from the Rebbe's teachings whether he would support a preemptive strike against Iran? 01:02:33

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answeredDonate now: https://mylife500.comFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Post Shavous? • What is the significance of the 12th of Sivan? 01:10 • What is the energy and focus of our work during this time period? 07:54 • Why did we need to refine ourselves during the 49 days of Sefirah in preparation for receiving the Torah, when the Torah itself refines us? 10:27Behaalotecha • What is the central theme of this week’s Torah chapter? 13:50 • What is the significance of the “flame rising on its own”? 16:30 • What personal and global lessons does it offer us for our times? 21:58 • Why did Moses say “where am I to get meat”? 26:52 • Why was he able to relate to meat when it came to the Passover offering? 32:30 • Why did they want actual meat and did not suffice with the manna tasting like meat? 36:43 • Why was only Miriam punished for speaking ill about Moses? 39:08Nasso • Why is the blessing of the priests so powerful? 42:46 • Why do we recite them in our daily prayers? 47:12 • What is the connection between the blessings after the meals and the priestly blessing? 49:40 • Why did G-d command the erasing of His holy name in the laws of Soteh? 50:50 • Should religion ever be a cause of conflict between spouses? 51:44 • Is there a minimum time for committing oneself to being a Nazir? 53:34How do we know that G-d wants us to control the Land of Israel? 56:28How should we react to the fallout between President Trump and Elon Musk? 01:04:29Should we be concerned? 01:05:27

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:How should we respond to the latest tragic Washington murders? Where is Hashem in all of this? Is there something we can do? Should we stop displaying our Jewish identity, not go to shul, remove Jewish symbols? Why do we read this Torah chapter before Shavuos? Who owns the Torah? Can anyone claim royalties? What personal and global lessons does it offer us for our times? What is the personal significance of this holiday? What is the Torah, and why is the giving of the Torah such a monumental event? What is the deeper meaning of so many seemingly trivial details in the Torah? Why is it important for everyone to go to shul on Shavuos to hear the Ten Commandments if we have already heard them in previous years? If the “entire Torah” is about loving another, why do we see many Torah observant people who are not loving? Does the “entire Torah” include the inner dimension of Torah? Why do the Ten Commandments begin with describing G-d as taking us out of Egypt and not as Creator? And why not G-d that will bring the final redemption? What does Anochi signify? Why were spouses commanded not to be intimate before Mattan Torah? Isn’t intimacy a sacred act? Why do we dance with the Torah on Simchas Torah and not on Shavuos? Why do we celebrate receiving the Torah when we didn't even have a chance to read it yet?  Is there a Maamar Chassidus on the book of Ruth that you would suggest we study? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What is the connection between this Omer period, Lag B’Omer and the weekly Torah portion? Revealing the hidden and deeper good even in negative experiences What is the central theme of this week’s Torah chapter? Is Judaism rigid or flexible? Static or dynamic? What personal and global lessons does it offer us for our times? Why are some blessings so great that they have to be hidden within curses?   Is it appropriate to get an aliya when they read the tochacho? Why did the Mitteler Rebbe not learn from the Alter Rebbe’s previous readings that the curses are actually blessings? Can we say that the only reason we are still in golus is due to the pleasure Hashem gets from our effort to overcome the darkness and the challenges it presents? What is the difference between Lag B’Omer and Yud Tes Kislev? Should Israel be relying on America for protection? What can we learn from Rashbi’s criticizing the Roman government? Why does Lag B’omer, the Mattan Torah of the Inner Torah, precede Shavuos? Is the Zohar the source of Chassidus? Why did Rabbi Akiva’s students stop dying? Why are we allowed to sing during the days of Sefirah? What is the difference between sefiros and partzufim? What is the personal application of Yesod?  Is this week a good time to receive blessings to conceive healthy children?Can you share a few stories about his relationship with the Rebbe? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What lessons can we learn from 13 Iyar, the 73rd yahrzeit of Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib a”h  What does his name and life teach us? What did the Rebbe say after he stood up from shiva for his brother in 1952? How do we deal with setbacks and difficulties? How do we personalize this day? Is there a connection between the 13 and 14th of Iyar? Why do we celebrate on the day Rashbi passed away? What is the connection between Rashbi and joy? What do we learn from Rashbi and Lag B’omer? What impact does the inner dimension of Torah have on our lives? What is the significance of counting the Omer? How do we apply to our lives the fact that the Omer counting begins after the barley offering? What different meanings are there in the word sefira? Why do we refine our emotions during these days? Why not focus on cognitive emotions? After counting the Omer why do we recite psalm 67 about the conductor of songs? Why do we not make a blessing after we missed one day of counting? Do we get a special reward for counting all 49 days? Why do we not schedule weddings and listen to music during the days of the Omer? Why does Chabad (and others) resume the customs of mourning after Lag B’Omer? How is it possible that Rabbi Akiva’s students did not show respect to each other? Why did Rabbi Akiva not stop their behavior? What lessons can we learn from this in dealing with conflicts today?Why is there a custom to study the tractate of Sotah during these days? What is the meaning of “l’hazhir ha’gdolim al ha’ktanim”? What relevance does the service of the priests have to most of us who are not kohanim? Why can a Kohen with physical deformities not serve in the temple?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:In loving memory of Rabbi Sholom Lipskar a”h A few words about Rabbi Jacobson’s relationship with Rabbi Lipskar What is the meaning of “living with the times”? What is the central theme of this Parsha? What is the meaning of sanctification? How do we sanctify the mundane? How can someone be despicable in the “name of Torah”? How do we create balance in our lives – balance between transcendence and integration?Why was the offering of Nadav and Avihu called “strange fire”? Can you explain how the imbalance of rotzo and shuv led to the death of Aaron’s sons? How do we reconcile the different reasons given for their death? What responsibilities do we have to ensure we are sanctifying G-d in our lives? How would the Rebbe advise us to deal with the pro Hamas protests in our neighborhoods? Are the Jews who march supporting Hamas terrorists part of the erev rav? What reaction should we have to a recent confrontation between a Jew and a man in a wheelchair? Is owning a dog appropriate? What attitude should we have to people who own dogs? Does this month contain a special energy because it's the only month where every day of the month has the time bound mitzvah of counting the Omer? What type of healing does this month refer to? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Transition from Nissan to Iyar What is the central theme of this period in time? What is the meaning of geulah – personally and psychologically? Rosh Chodesh Iyar What lessons do we learn from this month? What is the significance of it being the second month, and of its acronyms? Beis Iyar Is there a connection between Tiferes of Tiferes and l'chatchila ariber? How do we personalize this day? 28 Nissan How can we not feel despair after hearing the Rebbe’s words on Chof Ches Nissan – if the Rebbe was not successful in bringing Moshiach, what chance do we have? Tut altz vos ir kent – what more can we do? What specific things did the Rebbe instruct us to do to help bring the geulah? A message from a child to the Rebbe about increasing acts of goodness and kindness How do we envision the geulah?  How do we achieve geulah consciousness? Why will the wolf be at peace with the lamb? Is Seudas Moshiach connected with the Rebbe’s words on Chof Ches Nissan? Does partaking in a festive meal in honor of a certain event help manifest its reality?  What is the meaning of kabolas malchus of Moshiach? Should we be telling people that the Rebbe is Moshiach? Are recent scientific accomplishments – like the resurrection of the DNA of an extinct wolf – a sign of geulah?