MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: 16 Iyar Why don’t we recite the Parsha about Manna every day, as well as the Ten Commandments, like we do the Parsha of the Akeidah, as stated in Shulchan Aruch? What is the significance of this special day? How could the students of Rabbi Akiva not respect each other to the point of it causing a plague? Why don’t we see such harsh consequences (G-d forbid) due to other acts of disrespect in our times? How did the Mitteler Rebbe celebrate Lag B’Omer? Why was it a day of miracles? How can Lag B’Omer open up channels of connection between parents and children? What is the source that this day is the hilula of Rashbi? Why is the day of Rashbi’s passing a time of joy and celebration? What is the connection with Hod of Hod? Why is Rashbi referred to as Shabbos? What were some of the big secrets Rashbi revealed right before his passing? How could Rashbi have passed away while he was teaching Torah? What is the connection between Lag B’Omer and the gal (mound) that Jacob built to serve as a witness of the boundary between him and Laban? How is that consistent with the verse gal einei, which is a state of open revelation, the opposite of Jacob’s gal that separates and conceals? How does Chassidus explain the difference between Choni HaMaagel and Rashbi causing it to rain? Why did Rashbi hide from the Romans, while the Alter Rebbe allowed himself to be arrested? How could Rashbi have caused fire to consume and destroy? Is Lag B’Omer or Yud Tes Kislev the Rosh Hashana of the Inner Torah? What did the Rebbe mean when he said that Rashbi is at the Ohel? Should I write a pan to the Rebbe or to Rashbi, or both?Chassidus Applied to Lag B’Omer

Beis Iyar • How do we apply l’chatchila ariber in our lives? 01:30Acharei-Kedoshim • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 13:04 • Is there a connection between these two chapters? 19:20 • How do I sanctify my life? 17:40 • What was wrong with Nadav and Avihu’s behavior? 19:28Tazria-Metzora • What is the relevance of the spiritual maladies in these Torah portions to our times? 24:10 • How does one find mental, emotional and psychological healing? 24:10 • Is there a connection between Mitzrayim and Metzora? 27:15Iyar • Does Ani Hashem Rofecho include all forms of healing? 29:20Omer • What maamar would you suggest we learn that explains Sefiras Ha’Omer? 37:25 • Why do we need to refine our emotions every year when the Jews already did that before receiving the Torah? 39:55 • Why do we only refine our emotional midos and not our intellectual midos? 42:23 • How do we understand chesed within chesed, gevurah within gevurah etc.? 45:24 • Is it inappropriate to use a phone app to remind us to count sefira? 47:38 • Why is it customary to study Mesechta Sotah during sefira? 49:28Post Pesach and Iran • What lessons can we learn from this time period regarding world events? 52:58 • What is expected of us during these days? 52:58 • Why did G-d not protect the young soldier killed in Lebanon before Pesach? 57:59Chof Ches Nissan – 35 years later • What is a summary and explanation of the Rebbe’s famous 28 Nissan sicha? 01:00:43 • Is there a connection between that sicha and that of Purim 5747? 01:03:55 • How did the Rebbe explain his words in a “straightforward way” in the farbrengen of Shabbos Tazria-Metzora 5751? 01:05:30 • Has anything changed since the Rebbe’s talk 35 years ago? 01:06:05 • If we are closer than ever to the geulah, why does the world situation and the anxiety caused by it seem to be getting worse rather than better? 01:06:05 • What should we be doing now, 35 years after 28 Nissan 5751? 01:07:25

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chof Teves What is the significance of the Rambam’s yahrzeit? What makes a leader different than a scholar?What does the Egyptian exile teach us about dealing with difficulties? What did the Rebbe say about this day? What did he have in common with the Alter Rebbe? What personal lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why do we recount the suffering in Egypt?What does the story of Moshe’s birth teach us? What is the significance of him being born before the enslavement began and that he himself was not a slave? Why did Hashem appear to Moshe in a burning bush? Why did Moshe challenge G-d by saying “Why are You doing evil to these people?” After the Egyptian exile and redemption why was there a need for other exiles? How can we understand the tzimtzum in simple and practical terms? What does “Yaakov Avinu lo mes” mean? Is there a plan to print more Chassidus in English? Shemos Vayechi Are there any relevant lessons to be learned from the United States toppling the Venezuelan president? Hei Teves What can be done about "discrimination" against Ba'alei Teshuva or others seen as outsiders? If I feel that my teacher is not being fair, how can I challenge him without being disrespectful?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Aftermath of the horrific Sydney massacre What inner strength (netzach and hod) does Chanukah offer us? What are the souls of the kedoshim experiencing now? We still cannot fathom this terrible tragedy. Any words of wisdom? Why would G-d allow it to happen? How can we call G-d kind and compassionate in face of this horror? During the time of the Greeks the Jews would hide their observance due to the danger involved. How is today different? What is the special significance of this day? What comes next? What is the connection between the eighth day of Chanukah and Shemini Atzeres, completing the high holiday season? How will it work after Moshiach comes and we light eight candles on the first night? What is the significance of the new moon? Why was finding pure olive oil so significant? What's the connection between Chanukah and education? What is the significance of it being a rabbinic holiday? Why is chassidus compared to oil? Does Shammai not hold that we have to grow each day in holiness? Why is chapter 67 in Tehillim printed in the shape of a menorah? What should we focus on in the month of Teves? What are we celebrating on Hei Teves? How did the Rebbe instruct us to observe this day? Is there a connection between Chanukah and Hei Teves? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why did Joseph ask everyone to leave the room when he revealed his identity to his brothers? Why did Joseph not inform his father over the 22 years that he is alive? Zos Chanukah Rosh Chodesh Teves Chanukah Hei Teves Vayigash How should we react to Mamdani’s visit to the Ohel?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What is unique about the month of Kislev, and what lessons does it offer us? Yud Tes Kislev Why is this day the Rosh Hashana of Chassidus? Why was Chassidus revealed in the later generations? What is the difference between “before Petersburg” and “after Petersburg”? What do we learn from this day? Why was there a heavenly accusation against the Alter Rebbe for teaching Chassidus? Should we be afraid to say a dvar torah at the Shabbos table lest the heavenly court indict us? How do we explain the Alter Rebbe’s analogy of Chassidus being like the most precious crown jewel being crushed to help save the life of the royal prince? How do you compare the Alter Rebbe’s spreading of Chassidus to other Kabbalists who taught Penimiyus HaTorah? Why did they not face resistance? Is Chassidus based on the Zohar and Kabbalah or is something entirely different? Is learning the Tanya compared to having a personal yechidus with the Alter Rebbe? What “second half” is necessary to understand Tanya? Can you appreciate Tanya without song? How did the Alter Rebbe deliver his teachings to us? What is a farbrengen and where did it originate from? What's the difference between a maamar and a sicha? What was the main teaching of the Maggid of Mezritch? What is a black Marie chariot and why was it sent for the alter rebbe? How did the Alter Rebbe win his court case; what evidence did he produce to exonerate himself? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the inside story of the tribes’ jealousy of Joseph, and of Joseph’s fall and rise? What was the significance of Joseph’s dreams that he will rule over his brothers? How could the righteous tribes sell their brother into slavery? Vayeishev

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Kislev Why is it called the month of geulah? What message does this month teach us in our personal lives? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the personal application of Vayetzei Yaakov? What is represented by Jacob’s ladder and the angels ascending and descending?Why is prayer compared to a ladder?Why was there a need for G-d to make a promise to Jacob when He had already promised the same thing to Abraham? How could Jacob be fooled by Laban when he knew the entire Torah? What do we learn from Rachel giving the signs to Leah? How was Yaakov and Leah's marriage valid according to halacha if the kesuba named Rachel and not Leah? Who were Bilhah and Zilpah? Did Bilhah and Zilpah consent to marriage? How do we explain all the allegorical and mystical interpretations in Torah seemingly justifying questionable behavior? What is the difference between the balance of chesed and gevurah and tiferes? Was there a difference between Jacob and Esau as children and as adults? What are the dynamics of a blessing? Why did Isaac bless Yaakov with the name Elokim and not Havaya? What was unique about the Mitteler Rebbe? What do we learn from this day? What are some interesting teachings of the Mitteler Rebbe? To what extent are people facing mental health struggles or addictions responsible for their Torah obligations? For a person suffering from addiction, is the message just to continue doing mitzvos — or does that minimize the need to address the addiction itself?Vayeitzei Toldos Tes Kislev Responsibilities of those suffering from mental health issues and addictions

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chof Cheshvan What is the unique energy of this time period? Who was the Rebbe Rashab named after? What is the significance of this name, and how does it reflect the work of the Rebbe Rashab? What lessons do we learn from the Rebbe Rashab for our times? Did the Rebbe Rashab pick the souls of all the students of Tomchei Tmimim? Why did he refer to these students as soldiers going “out to a battle of the House of David”? What are practical ways to honor Chof Cheshvan? Studying the Rebbe Rashab’s Chassidus Rabbi Jacobson’s daily Chassidus classes What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why is the chapter that discusses Sarah’s passing named “the life of Sarah”? How do we define true life? What personified Sarah’s life and legacy? How can we see the evolution of Judaism through the stories of the patriarchs and matriarchs? How old was Rivka when she married Yitzchak? Why did G-d consider concealing His plan to destroy Sodom from Abraham? What was considered true justice – sparing or destroying Sodom? Why was Sarah not told about the Akeidah? Now what? Should we be running away from New York? How should we react to accidental deaths of young children, G-d forbid: Do we blame their parents? After G-d promised not to bring another flood, how do we explain the flood that just hit New York killing and hurting people? What should our attitude be towards these protests? Is it appropriate for yeshiva students to join the military? Chayei Sarah Vayeira New York City Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani Untimely Death Protesting Mandatory Military Service for Yeshiva Students What do you suggest I say at an upcoming Bat Mitzva of a relative? Suggested way to celebrate a birthday: Light candles on a birthday cake instead of blowing them out

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Post Holidays Follow-Up What should be the focus of our work during these first days of Cheshvan? Why do the revelations of Tishrei, specifically on Shemini Atzeres, give birth only on Pesach? And if that’s the case, what does our avodah entail during these months? Can MarCheshvan also mean Gmar Cheshvan? Why the need for Tohu? Why does G-d elaborate on the place of Abraham’s departure (lech lecha m’artzecha, um’moladetecha um’beis avicha) and is vague about his destination (el ha’aretz asher er’echa)? Why was it important for Abraham to leave his land, birthplace, and parents' home? What are the three types of subjectivity that impede your ability to discover your true self and move forward in life? Is “G-d speaking to Abraham” literal or metaphorical? Was Terach an abusive father? Was Abraham the first Jew? How do we explain “those that bless you shall be blessed”? Who was Melchizedek King of Salem? Why was the priesthood taken from him due to his blessing Abraham before G-d? What is the significance of adding a hei to Abram and changing his name to Abraham? What was the bris bein ha’besarim? Why does the Torah not tell us specifics about Abraham's great deeds and only uses hints that seem materialistic (about his wealth, cattle, battle victories, travels)? What can we learn from Yishmael about Hamas and the Arab/Muslim world today? What was the sin of building the Tower of Babel? What do we learn from the fact that G-d stopped their conspiracy by confusing their languages and disrupting their unity? How can we express our gratitude to G-d for his blessings in releasing the last hostages safely? What should we do about the upcoming NYC mayoral election? Are we allowed to pray and write notes to the Ohel asking for brochos that Mamdani should not win the election?Lech Lecha Noach Hostages Freed New York City Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani