MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: TISHREI What is the significance of this month? ROSH HASHANA How do I personalize Rosh Hashana? Why is there no special commemoration of Elul 25, when the world was created? Why do some people have the custom to visit cemeteries Erev Rosh Hashana? If we can narrow it down, what is the single most important thing we need to do on Rosh Hashana? What is the book of life and how do we get inscribed (with a “full page ad”) in it? Why do we dip an apple in honey? Is it better to make good resolutions that are small but easily achievable, or larger and more difficult ones? Is it appropriate to resolve to transgress and then refrain from doing so? Why can’t Rosh Hashana be on a Friday when the first Rosh Hashana was a Friday? Why don’t we sound the Shofar on Shabbos? How does Shabbos spiritually accomplish the same thing that blowing the shofar accomplishes? Has anyone yet come up with an acronym for the new year tof shin pey daled? TEN DAYS OF TESHUVA What is the significance of these days and how do I personalize them? YOM KIPPUR How do I personalize Yom Kippur? Why does Yom Kippur come after Rosh Hashana? Why did the Rebbe dance on a chair during Napolean's March? YOM KIPPUR TO SUKKOS What is the significance of the four-day transition from Yom Kippur to Sukkos? Why is Sukkos such a joyous holiday? Is it related to Yom Kippur? How do I personalize Simchas Torah? HOLIDAYS How does Chassidus explain the spiritual energy of all the high holidays and why they all come together at the beginning of the year? Is it called the high holidays because our prayers can travel higher than normal during these holidays Is there a limit how far our prayers can travel through the spiritual worlds? Can our prayers reach the essence of G-d? SUKKOS Why is Sukkos not in the Spring after Pesach? Are those that sleep in a Sukkah doing anything wrong? Hakhel: If G-d enjoys us gathering together, why do we only do it in a Hakhel year? Follow-up: How to resolve a disagreement between spouses whether to hang a picture of a secular hero near the picture of the Rebbe?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to Chai Elul What does this day teach us? What did Chassidus come to accomplish? How did it address the challenges of the time? How does Chai Elul help us enter Rosh Hashana? What were some of the revolutionary ideas introduced by the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe? What is the difference between the “two luminaries”? Is inspiration ever initiated by us and by Hashem at the same time? According to Chassidus should we be shunning the beauty of the natural world? Was Hemshech Ayin Beis ever concluded? New revelation Lessons from Netzavim-Vayeilech What is the primary lesson from this week’s portion? What does the Parsha mean when it says this is “very near to you in your mouth and heart so you can do it”? Since we are concluding a Hakhel year, should we make one last stand during Elul and organize Hakhel gatherings? Is the shofar sounding also a wake-up call for Hashem? Are there situations where G-d, for whatever reason, answers our prayers only at the last possible moment? What should I tell my daughter when she argues against tzinius saying that we shouldn't be hiding the beautiful body Hashem created? How to resolve a disagreement between spouses whether to hang a picture of a historic secular activist near the picture of the Rebbe? Follow-up: Missing a day of putting on Tefillin

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to Ki Tavo  Lessons from Elul  What can I do about missing a day of putting on tefillin due to illness?  If I'm traveling to a small town that doesn't have any known Jewish people, should I put on my tefillin at home or should I wait until I get to this town and do it there to elevate the land with a mitzvah, which might not normally occur there?    What is the Chabad view of the turmoil Israeli judicial reform is causing in Israel?   How to address different sexual orientations and identities?  Follow-up: Dealing with narcissism 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to Elul What should we be doing during this special month? What was Moshe doing during Elul? What indestructible power do we have in this month? Does “the king in the field” mean a literal field? Is there something we can do via prayer and meditation during this month to guarantee that Hashem will answer our prayers positively in a revealed manner? During this month can we benefit and draw down extra measures of Divine kindness by repeatedly saying the verse of the 13 attributes of compassion, or do we need to understand its inner meaning? Why not refrain from sounding the Shofar all of Elul to prevent the negative forces from mounting an “attack” against us? Every year around this time, I fail to keep my resolve not to indulge in inappropriate behavior. What shall I do? Lessons from Ki Teitzei What is the general lesson from this week’s portion? How do we successfully face the battles and challenges in life, and not become overwhelmed by them? What is the deeper meaning of the mitzvah of returning a lost object? Is Hashem obligated to return to us the Beis HaMikdash to fulfill the mitzvah of returning a lost object? What is the significance of the mitvzah of sending away the mother bird before taking her fledglings or eggs? Is divorce a mitzvah? Why are the laws of marriage derived from the laws of divorce? What is the deeper meaning of eradicating Amalek? What is Asheiroh? How do I know if I have self-esteem, and what can I do to build it up? How to address same gender attraction? How should I deal with a relative or friend who thinks he might be gay and refuses to talk to anyone about it? What should I do about my own confusion around my sexual identity? Why are Rabbis not dealing with this issue? Why be frum if the secular may be on a higher level?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to Elul What does this time period teach us? Why is the entire month of Av called Menachem Av? With Elul approaching, what are some practical things we can do to end the year on a high note and begin the new year with the proper inspiration? What does “the king is in the field” practically mean? Lessons from Shoftim Why does the Torah command us to install a physical king in Israel when we have G-d as our true King? Why does the Torah prohibit kings from having more horses than they need? What is today’s equivalent of a “city of refuge”? Does eglah arufah teach us that a community is responsible for the hurt and abuse that occurs in the area of their jurisdiction? What can we learn from the wildfires that have ravaged Hawaii, killing and injuring many people? How should I deal with my son who thinks he might be gay? To what extent should we be investing in restoring historical Jewish sites? Any advice for overcoming writer’s block? Follow-up: Dealing with narcissism

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What does this time period teach us?    Chassidus applied to Chof Av  Lessons from Re’eh  Who was Moshe’s “mouthpiece” after Aaron passed away?  How should we react to yesterday’s riot in Union Square?  What's more important in a child developing their personality – genes or environment?    How does a spiritual soul transform and become a physical existence in a body?  What does it mean to reveal G-dliness in the physical world?  Where do I find a community of like-minded people?    Follow-up: 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What do we learn from this time period – following Tisha B’Av? Chassidus applied to the 15th of Av What does this day teach us? What is the connection between the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur? Does it make a difference if we say Tu B'Av or Chamisha Asar B'av? Why is this day related to shidduchim? Why is it customary to start wishing each other kesiva v'chasima tova on the 15th of Av? In our times how do we fulfill the custom of young men and women meeting for shidduchim on this day? Why is this day called the “day that broke the axe”? What connection does that have to the meaning of the 15th of Av and to the additional Torah learning that begins on this day? What is the significance of cutting down a tree with the axe handle made of the very wood of the tree itself? If it takes the wood of a tree to cut down trees, how did they cut down the first tree? Post Tisha B’Av How do we address our children’s disappointment that Moshiach has not come yet despite the different promises and signs? Since King Solomon build a hidden Holy of Holies to demonstrate that it never gets destroyed, why do we fast on Tisha B’Av? Why do we fast when eating is a way of placating the animal soul? Lessons from Eikev What is the general lesson from this week’s portion? Does Eikev hint to ikvasa d'meshicha? What is the significance of the eikev (the heel)? How is the resurrection of the dead alluded to in this parsha? According to chassidus what is the significance of Israel being a land that flows with milk and honey? The Rebbe visiting summer camps Why did the Rebbe visit the camps? Why only a few times? What was his message to the campers? Any good stories that happened during these visits? Gimmel Tammuz follow-up: What does it mean that “tzaddikim never die”?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What does this time period teach us?  Chassidus applied to the 5th of Av – the Arizal’s 451st yahrzeit  How do we counter and transform the negative and divisive energy of these days?  Shabbos Chazon  Tisha B’Av  What can we learn from the loose lion in Berlin in this month of Leo?   What can we learn from the recent rainstorms?  Lessons from Shabbos Nachamu  Lessons from Parshas Vaetchanan  Follow-up: 

Chassidus applied to the Nine Days What do we learn from these days? How are they reflected in our psyches? What is the significance of Aaron’s yahrzeit on Rosh Chodesh Av? Why specifically nine days? Lessons from Shabbos Chazon How do we reconcile R’ Levi Yitzchak Berditchever’s explanation of Chazon with its literal meaning? How to transform a vision of destruction into a vision of redemption? Lessons from Parshas Devarim What is the general lesson from this chapter? Why is Devarim called Mishneh Torah? Does it have the same divinity as the first four books since it was spoken by Moshe? Since every word in Torah is precise, why was it necessary for Moshe to repeat some events and laws in Mishneh Torah? Why were the two and a half tribes that wanted to settle outside the borders of Israel not judged as harshly as the scouts? How to deal with a spouse’s zealotry? Should we leave our shlichus due to a health threat of tics? Why did G-d create mosquitos? Dealing with narcissism – follow-up

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to the Three Weeks  Lessons from Parshas Matos Massei  Why don’t we fall off the earth?  What is the process of a soul descending to earth?   Dealing with narcissism  Gimmel Tammuz follow-up 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Lessons from Yud Gimmel Tammuz  Chassidus applied to Parshas Pinchas  Chassidus applied to 17 Tammuz  Is it better to be another member of a Chassidic community or live out of town where you can be a leader?   Should I indulge my family with materialism for the sake of shalom bayis?  Gimmel Tammuz follow-up 

Submit your question now at https://www.chassidusapplied.com/ask-rabbi-jacobson, or email: info@chassidusapplied.com. WEBSITE: https://www.chassidusapplied.com/ EMAIL US: info@chassidusapplACied.com SPONSOR A MYLIFE: CHASSIDUS APPLIED EPISODE, OR EXPLORE OTHER GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: https://www.meaningfullife.com/sponsorships THIS WEEK'S TOPICS: • Chassidus applied to Tammuz o How do we explain the paradoxes of this month? 01:13 o Is it easier or more difficult to serve G-d during the summer? 01:38 o What are the opportunities and challenges of summertime? 07:50 o Why is this month called by the name of an idol? 04:20 • Chassidus applied to Parshas Chukas-Balak o How can we heal from the toxins of death? 11:30 o What is the connection between Chukas and Gimmel Tammuz? 09:20 o How does sprinkling the ashes of a red cow purify us? 22:48 o Why does a copper snake on a pole represent healing? 25:00 o How do Chukas and Balak reflect the paradox of Tammuz? 20:38 o What is the inner meaning of Balaam’s blessing mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov? 29:10 o Can we say that if our enemy who was paid to curse us gave us such a powerful blessing, how much more valuable and powerful are blessings we give each other from ahavas yisroel? 32:24 o If Zimri and Cozbi would have sinned privately would Pinchas still have the legal right to kill them? 33:32 • Lessons from Yud Beis Tammuz o What is the significance of this day? 38:50 o How does the geulah of Yud Beis Tammuz express the paradox and transformation from darkness to light? 42:05 • Titan’s implosion o What lessons can we learn from the tragic implosion of the submersible exploring the wreck of the Titanic? 44:44 o Is it a coincidence that this sinking happened in the week when we read about Korach and his cohorts sinking into the earth? 52:30 • Gimmel Tammuz follow-up o Will we have a second chance to make the Rebbe proud? 56:16 o Is it possible that the Rebbe is ignoring my requests? 57:34 o Did the Rebbe ever refuse to give someone a blessing? 59:49 o Are the Rebbe’s answers for all people at all times, or can we say that times may have changed and the Rebbe would now answer differently? 01:02:12 MyLife: Chassidus Applied is a weekly video webcast candidly answering questions from the public about all life matters and challenges, covering the entire spectrum of the human experience. The objective of the program is to provide people with inspired guidance and direction, empowering them to deal with any issue they may face. MyLife demonstrates how Chassidus provides us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offers us all the guidance we need to live the healthiest possible life and build nurturing homes and families, bringing up the healthiest possible children, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. #MyLife #Chassidus #Uvalde

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Lessons from Gimmel Tammuz  Is darkness a creation or is it just an absence of light?   Chassidus applied to Parshas Korach  Behaalotecho – follow up: What does the upward and downward movement of light teach us about G-d?   Shelach – follow up:  

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus applied to Parshas Shelach  Lessons from Chof Ches Sivan  What lessons can we learn from the intense smoke recently engulfing the East Coast?  If a kind act below generates the divine attribute of chesed from above, does that mean that an unkind act generates unkindness from above?  What is Chassidus “standing on one foot”? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to Sivan 15  Lessons from Parshas Behaalotecho  Why would someone become a nazir? Follow-up  Summer  Should pictures of women to be published in religious publications?  G-d and nature 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to Post Shavuos  End of Sefirah  Lessons from Parshas Nasso  How to deal with estrangement between parents and children? Follow-up   Was the Rebbe loving? Follow-up  How do we address an issue without personalizing it?  What criteria do you use is discussing any given topic?  What would you advise someone whose public statements were misunderstood? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to Shavuos  What exactly is the Torah and what happened at Mattan Torah?   When was the Torah written? Did it always exist just as G-d always existed, or did G-d write the Torah when He decided to create the world?  Does the Torah contain all of G-d's knowledge, or just the parts that relate to creation and to us?  If we were able to travel to a distant planet, would we be responsible to observe Torah and mitzvos there, or was the Torah only given on Planet Earth?  Was the Torah written all at one time or did it evolve and grow as a document and get edited into what it is today?  What exactly was given at Sinai – the written or the oral Torah?   Why is there a written and an oral Torah?   Why was it okay for the rabbis to write down the oral torah when it was prohibited to do so?  Why then can’t we change other prohibitions?  Can there be mistakes in the oral Torah?  Since rabbinic Judaism in the oral Torah is filled with disputes, can we say that those that did not hold by it were on a higher state of Ahavas Yisroel, devoid of arguments?  Why don’t the disputes indicate that there are mistakes in the oral Torah?  Since we ignore certain opinions in the Talmud could it be that we are mistaken in our practice?   How did the Avos do the mitzvos before they were given at Sinai?   How did they know Torah before it was given?  If Abraham performed all the mitzvos, why did he wait until age 99 to do a bris?  How could the Jews sleep and need to be awoken for the giving of the Torah?  Why is it considered special that the Jews said naaseh v’nishmah?  Did they say naaseh v'nishmah out of their own free will, or were they compelled to do so?  Why don't we count the 50th day of the Omer?  Why do we sing and dance on Simchas Torah and not on Shavuos when the Torah was given?   Why do we need two separate commandments, one to believe in Hashem, and another not to believe in false gods?  Why does G-d get so angry about idolatry, if other gods don’t even exist?  Was the Rebbe loving?        Torah         Mattan Torah 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to Bamidbar  Did the Rebbe suggest that people should visit the Ohel on Lag B’Omer? Follow-up  The students of Rabbi Akiva  When Moshiach comes will there be a coronation ceremony like they made for King Charles of England but on a much grander scale?  Parents and children  Sholom Bayis  Can we ask for wealth? Follow-up  What should be our attitude toward healing methods, like chakra energy healing, which may originate from other spiritual or religious disciplines?    Is there any truth in other spiritual schools of thought? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to Lag B’Omer  Lessons from Behar-Bechukosei  Why is G-d not responding to us and bringing the Geulah as he did to the Jews who cried out “why are we deprived?!”  Jewish Soul  How should we deal with difficult children? With children who reject their parents?  Why is Lag B’Omer an auspicious time for parents and children to reconnect? 

Submit your question now at https://www.chassidusapplied.com/ask-rabbi-jacobson, or email: info@chassidusapplied.com. WEBSITE: https://www.chassidusapplied.com/ EMAIL US: info@chassidusapplied.com SPONSOR A MYLIFE: CHASSIDUS APPLIED EPISODE, OR EXPLORE OTHER GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: https://www.meaningfullife.com/sponsorships THIS WEEK'S TOPICS: • What is the unique work we need to do during this time period? • How is discussing the weekly parsha and time we are in part of applying Chassidus to our personal lives? • Chassidus applied to Pesach Sheni o Do we always have a second chance? o Is there hope after we have been deeply wounded? • Lessons from Emor o Is the Torah basically an instruction manual for how to live and operate in the physical world? o What personal message does this parsha offer us? o What is the best way to discipline children and students? o How do we discipline with love? o What is the story with the son of Shlomit? Why was he so mistreated and ultimately killed? What do we learn from this episode? • In these weeks of the Omer how can we access the corresponding sefira and draw down its flow into our lives? o What is the work related to Tiferes? o What is the work related to Netzach? • What is a soul and how do we connect with it? • How do I connect with a person who seems to be disconnected? • What are the ten powers of the soul and how can we use them to grow and become better people? • What is the definition of a Jewish soul? MyLife: Chassidus Applied is a weekly video webcast candidly answering questions from the public about all life matters and challenges, covering the entire spectrum of the human experience. The objective of the program is to provide people with inspired guidance and direction, empowering them to deal with any issue they may face. MyLife demonstrates how Chassidus provides us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offers us all the guidance we need to live the healthiest possible life and build nurturing homes and families, bringing up the healthiest possible children, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. #MyLife #Chassidus #Uvalde