Mylife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Why is there so much upheaval and instability in the world today?  Is it a result of us being in transition from golus to geulah?  How did the Rebbe respond to the attempt against President Reagan in 1981?  What does it teach us about the state of today’s society and education?  Did the Rebbe embrace the US Presidents honoring and proclaiming the Rebbe’s birthday as National Education Day?  Should we run away from this country?  What should we do to repay and publicly praise Hashem for the miracle of saving Trumps life?  What can we learn from the fact that the actual freedom came a day later than the verdict?  If G-d could protect the Jews from Balaam, why didn’t He protect from Hamas?  Who is the worst enemy of the Jews?  What lessons can we derive from Pinchas’ zealotry?  What is the deeper meaning behind Moshe hitting the rock instead of speaking to it?  Is it possible that the tragic events of October 7th and the taking of

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answered Donate now: https://mylife500.com For recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier. Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: • What does Gimmel Tammuz teach us today? 0:55 • How should we approach the 30th anniversary of Gimmel Tammuz? 06:30 • What can we learn about Gimmel Tammuz from Joshua stopping the sun from setting on this day thousands of years ago? 15:00 38:00 • Can we explain why the geulah has not come all this time? 40:48 • Can we apply ben shloshim l’koach to giving us special strength this year to overcome any last obstacles that are holding back the final geulah? 17:14 • Did the Rebbe give us clear instructions on what to do after Gimmel Tammuz? 21:20 • Is there a reason the rabbis didn't mark this day as one of mourning or celebration (like Lag B’Omer)? 26:55 • Can we say “yom hilula” regarding Gimmel Tammuz? 28:50 • Was there any last instruction from the Rebbe before Gimmel Tammu

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answered Donate now: https://mylife500.com For recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier. Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What does this time period and Torah portion teach us today? • What do we learn from Chof Ches Sivan? 04:40 • Why does this day signify the beginning of a new era in history? 04:40 • What do we learn from Parshas Korach? 10:05 • What lessons do we derive from the Korach episode about leadership and uniting under one leader? 13:00 • What is the significance of Aaron’s rod sprouting almonds to prove that G-d chose him to be the high priest? 20:15 • Why did Korach want to be the high priest? 22:40 • Will he be a high priest in the future? 24:58 • What’s the story with Dasan and Aviram? 29:08 • What do we learn from the haftorah? 29:53 • How do we explain why the Jews so readily received the Torah but opposed entering the Promised Land incited by the scouts? 33:43 How should w

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this time period and Torah portion teach us today?    How do we apply the journey of the Jewish people in the wilderness toward the Promised Land to our life journey?  What do we learn from the sin of the scouts about facing the challenges in our life’s journeys?  What can we do during today's war and unrest to not repeat the same mistake as the scouts?  After the sin of the scouts, why were the Jews not given a chance to do teshuva?  Is it possible that the Geulah will be delayed due to our mistakes today?  What do we learn from lighting the menorah until the flames rise on their own?  What is the deeper meaning behind the Jews’ complaining that they want meat?  Is Canada different than the USA?  Why not conquer all of Gaza and settle it with Jews?  Are we allowed to launch missiles from our backyards into Gaza to help the war effort?  Should we try to shower the Gazans with kindness?  Should Israelis living near the b

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 500  Tribute to Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky a”h  How should we react to the rescue of the four hostages?  What happened on this day 3336 years ago?  Why is it important for us to honor it?  What is Torah?  What is Torah from G-d's perspective?  Why was the Torah not given at the beginning of creation?  Why is it called Mattan Torah? Why is G-d giving us a gift?  Why did the Jews have to restrain themselves for three days before Mattan Torah?  Why don’t we dance with the Torah on Shavuot as we do on Simchat Torah?  Did we receive the Torah willingly or were we coerced?  Why is saying naaseh v’nishma considered such a big thing?  Why were crowns placed on the heads of the Jewish people at Sinai, and why did the angels and not G-d Himself place these crowns on their heads?  What is the significance of a crown (keser)?  What is the difference between the two levels of Keser, arich and atik?  How d

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:MyLife 500 campaign  What assets and resources do we have to face life’s challenges?  The power of Torah and Chassidus   Transition from Iyar to Sivan  Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Like one man, with one heart  Bamidbar  Bechukosei  Omer  Should we be concerned that America will turn against Jews, and begin planning our exit strategy?  Can we compare events today to events that happened in Europe during the 30’s?  When do we escape danger and when do we remain?  How could the Frierdiker Rebbe visit Israel and then leave from there?  Should we be looking at the events of October 7 as deeper blessings hidden in the curses?  If the Palestinians turn out to be from the lost twelve tribes would we welcome them?  What should our reaction be to the Trump verdict?  Are we allowed to pray for him?  What does this time-period and Torah portion teach us today?  Is it significant that a group climbing Mt. Everest brought a Sefer Torah with the

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:MyLife 500 campaign  What does Lag B’Omer teach us today?  How does Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai help us deal with our challenges?  Why is this day so special?  What is the source that Lag B’Omer is the day of Rashbi’s Hilula?  Why can we listen to music and make weddings on Lag B’Omer?  Did the Rebbe suggest that we visit the Ohel on this day?  Is there an alternative for someone who can’t go to the Ohel?  Why don’t we celebrate with a parade on other special days of the year?  Why is there a custom to light bonfires on Lag B’Omer?  How could the students of Rabbi Akiva defy their teacher’s cardinal rule about loving another?  Why did the students of Rabbi Akiva die in an epidemic – does not respecting another warrant the death penalty?  Why do we say Lag B’Omer, but don’t say Tu B’Av?  Should we be relying on the segulos associated with Lag B’Omer?  Segulos don't seem to work for me. What should I do differently?  What can we learn fr

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What lessons and empowerment does this time-period and Torah portion offer us in facing today’s war?   What is the significance of the period between Pesach and Shavuos?  What does the month of Iyar teach us?  What is the connection between Rafah and healing?  What do we learn from Pesach Sheni?  How does counting the Omer help refine and strengthen us?  Weeks of Netzach and Hod: What are netzach and hod and what are their functions?  Behar: What does a “mountain” teach us?   Do the laws of Yovel apply today?  Beis Iyar  How to fight a war with a l’chatchila ariber attitude?  Who was the Rebbe Maharash named after and what do we learn from that?  Should we induce labor to give birth to a child on an auspicious day like Beis Iyar?  What do we learn from the soldiers that were tragically killed by “friendly fire”?  Is Israel the safest place on earth?  How do we reconcile the Rebbe’s statement that Israel is the safest place in the

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this time-period and Torah portion teach us today?   How does Pesach continue to empower us as we conclude Nissan?  How could we have celebrated Pesach with a free heart when our brothers and sisters are being held hostage by our enemies? Any advice on how to address my heavy heart?  Why did the liberating energy of Pesach not help the hostages be safely freed from captivity Don't they also deserve to have been free to enjoy the seder with their families?   Is there a prayer with which we can complain to G-d when He hurts us, just as there is the Hallel prayer to praise Him when He is kind to us?  Can we refrain from praising Hashem when our families are in danger?  What is the significance of praising G-d?  How can we say that Chizkiyahu did not say praise when he certainly said Hallel that Pesach?  Why was the tribe of Ephraim killed for leaving Egypt 30 years earlier? What did they do wrong?  What is a synopsis of the Rebb

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does Pesach teach us today?  How do the miracles and redemption of Pesach empower us in dealing with our current challenges?  What is the main theme of Pesach?  Is it the joy of freedom from slavery or the lessons in humility from eating the matzoh?  Why don’t we do a thorough internal cleansing of any chometz left in our bodies before Pesach?  What is the best way to run a Seder?  Is it better to have an enjoyable experience even if we compromise some of the more stringent details?  Why are we constantly reminded that we were slaves in Egypt and idol worshippers when we’re not supposed to remind someone of their past sins?    Is the Egyptian exile a deeper concealment than that of the tzimtzum harishon?  Why are we not all wealthy today as the Jews were when they left Egypt?  Why are matzos, and Pesach food in general, so expensive? Is there a spiritual reason for this?  Is that why we call matzah “the bread of the impoverished”?! 

Episode 493: When: Sunday, March 24, 8:00PM ET For recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier. Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: • How can we explain the attack by Iran in the month of miracles and redemption? 02:20 • What does this time-period and Torah portion teach us today? 08:13 • What can we learn from the first Nassi, Nachshon ben Aminodov? 08:53 • How should we prepare for Yud Alef Nissan? 15:59 • What is the best gift to give the Rebbe in honor of his birthday? 20:34 • What lessons can we glean from this week’s parsha? 20:40 • Why would a parsha have such a negative name? 21:10 • How does spiritual “leprosy” apply today, and what is its cure? 26:20 • Is tzaraat of the home a punishment or a reward? 27:43 • Pesach • Pesach is all about chinuch. But I'm filled with pain when I think about my inability to find an appropriate Jewish school for my special needs child. 32:04 • How should we react to the latest attack by Iran? • What are the

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this time-period and Torah portion teach us today?  How does the transition from Adar to Nissan empower us?  Chassidus applied to Rosh Chodesh Nissan  What do we learn from the new moon?  What's the significance of saying the daily nasi the first twelve days of Nissan?  Are the miracles of Nissan within or above the natural order?  Can we expect to see open miracles this month, namely victory and the safe return of all the hostages?  How do we honor Beis Nissan?  What do we learn from Parshas Tazria?  Is a leper compared to golus, and its healing to geulah?  How do we change the letters of negah, the leprosy of golus, to oneg, the pleasure of geulah?  What's the connection between Parshas Shemini and Moshiach?  Is the eclipse a negative sign?  What lessons does it offer us?  Are we allowed to leave yeshiva to view the eclipse?  What are we to make of the recent earthquake in the tri-state area?  Are earthquake

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this week’s Torah portion and time period teach us today?  How do you maintain a positive and joyous outlook with all the troubles brewing around us?  How do we reconcile the difficulties we are facing today with this double month of joy and the redemption of Purim leading into the redemption of Pesach?  What is the main theme of Parshas HaChodesh, and what lessons can we derive from this unique chapter?  What is the significance of the four special parshios we read between these weeks – from Adar through Nissan?  Do they correlate to the four worlds of Atzilus Beriah Yetzira and Asiya?  What is the main theme of Parshas Shemini and what are its lessons for us?  What do we learn from the story of Nadav and Avihu?  What takes precedence: Winning the war or freeing the hostages?  How do you respond to those that try to create a moral equivalence between both sides?  Should we excommunicate a Jew who attacks Israel?   Should we si

Episode 490: Special Purim EditionWhen: Sunday, March 24, 8:00PM ETFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does Purim teach us today?  What is the main theme of Purim and how can we access its power in our time?  How can Purim help us face our enemies today and transform even the greatest threat to total victory?  Why is Purim celebrated with so much joy, more than any other day in the year?  What is the meaning of “everyone who stretches out his hand, is given” on Purim?  What happened Purim 1966 when the Rebbe made this announcement?  What were the three different ways the Rebbe reacted to those stretching out their cups, and what fundamental lessons can we learn from them?  Can Megillas Esther be translated as the revelation of the concealed?   Why is Purim named after a lottery?  If Haman was accessing a level beyond good and evil how could he have channeled that into evil?  What is the connection betwe

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this week’s Torah portion and time period teach us today?  7 Adar  What mazal does this day bring us?  How does Moshe empower us today?  Are there any special customs or observances on this day?  How could Haman have made such a big mistake and not know the day of Moshe’s birthday?  Is there a connection between Moshe’s name not being mentioned in Tetzaveh with G-d's name not being mentioned on the Megillah?  What is the primary theme of this parsha and its lessons to us?  What is the significance of the small alef in Vayikra?  Why offerings?  Are we fulfilling the mitzvah of prayer if we just say the words without the intention of offering ourselves to G-d?  What is a shelomim (peace) offering?   What is today's equivalent of the peace offering that we can do to end wars?  What is the main theme of Purim and how can we access its power in our time?  What does Purim teach us about today’s war?  Are any of our en

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this week’s Torah portion and time period teach us today?  Lessons from Adar II  Is there significance to moving the clock forward for daylight savings time, which adds an extra hour of light to the day?  Parshas Pekudei Shekalim  The Gaza War  Moshiach  Is it appropriate for women to go on a “mikvah strike” in order to coerce their husbands to put pressure on a get withholder? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What does this week’s Torah portion and time period teach us today?  Lessons from Adar  Parshas Vayakhel: What power is there in gathering together?  Parshas Ki Tissa:   Should we be doing anything different?    Are there any parallels between the war in Ukraine and in Gaza?  Why not return any part of Israel?  What can we learn from the demonic passion of our enemies?  Are we allowed to try to force G-d's hand to bring Moshiach?  Why is intensifying Torah and Mitzvos in order to bring Moshiach not an attempt at forcing G-d's hand?  Are we prohibited from controlling Israel until Moshiach comes?  If there is a question about controlling Israel, why was the Rebbe adamant about holding on to every inch of land?   What did the Rebbe mean when he said that the birurim are finished?   What does “open your eyes” mean? When I open my eyes I see chaos in the world, not Moshiach  Did anything change after 5750 regarding Moshiach

What does this week’s Torah portion and time period teach us today? Lessons from Adar How does joy help us get through difficult challenges? What is the acronym of Adar? Does the joy in Adar have the power to transform true darkness? Is the joy in Adar initiated from above or from our work below? If we defeated Amalek on Purim why are we still facing enemies like Hamas? Why don’t I see blessings in my life as the Rebbe Rashab promised to those who will learn Chassidus? Parshas Ki Tisa What can we learn from Moshe challenging and prevailing over G-d to forgive the people? Is there a connection between the broken tablets and the shattered containers of Tohu? Is the October 7 massacre and subsequent war a punishment for building the Golden Calf? How could the people transgress such a grave sin of idolatry just 39 days after the greatest revelation at Sinai? Why not support a Palestinian state? Why not deport the Arabs and Muslims from Israel? What should be our attitude to Zionism and to displaying t

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Why does the world not demand that Hamas surrender?What does this week’s Torah portion and time period teach us today?  Lessons from Adar Lessons from Purim Katan  Parshas Tetzaveh  Parshas Terumah  Parshas Mishpatim  Can you distinguish between supporting the State of Israel as a secular governing body and recognizing it as a divinely sanctioned state?   What are the different opinions about the “three oaths” which include forbidding Jews from forcefully reclaiming Israel?  How can we support the government of Israel if the Rebbe Rashab strongly opposed modern Zionism?  How do we respond to the question whether we are Zionists?  Should we allow displays of the Israeli flag and the singing of its anthem in our institutions?  How much should we fight about these issues, if at all?   How do we focus on proliferating the positive meaning of Israel and Zionism, instead of addressing the negative?