This text-based class, the third of a series on the Maamar Vayedaber Elokim, said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shavuos 5728 (1968), was presented on Monday, 28 Iyar, 5785, May 26, 2025, Parshas Bamidbar, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This text-based class, the second of a series on the Maamar Vayedaber Elokim, said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shavuos 5728 (1968), was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Thursday, 24 Iyar, 5785, May 22, 2025, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class was presented on Tuesday, 22 Iyar, 5785, May 20, 2025, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

The class explores three forms of acquisitions in Jewish law, reflecting three paths in our service of G-d. Selling the tree, selling the future fruits of the tree, and selling a tree for its fruits. 

Generally it is assumed that there are two moral paths through life. There is the sure, tranquil path of the perfectly righteous person who has succeeded in remaking his very character and personality—a path that few can aspire to and even fewer achieve. And there is the path of the imperfect soul whose life is an endless battle—a battle in which defeat is always a possibility and, in the long run, a statistical inevitability. A path which runs along the edge of a moral precipice, in which the slightest misstep or lapse in vigilance sends one hurtling into the abyss.

Is there no other way? Is there no middle ground between utter perfection and perpetual self-doubt? Is there no way to gain control over one’s life short of remaking one’s inner self?

Such was the moral landscape of man until Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi wrote the Tanya and introduced us to the "banuni," “the intermediate man.”

This text-based class, the first of a series on the Maamar Vayedaber Elokim, said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shavuos 5728 (1968),  was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Monday, 21 Iyar, 5785, May 19, 2025, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This text-based class on the Maamar Lehavin Einyan Hilula D'Rashbi, said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Parshas Behar, 15 Iyar, 5719 (1959),  was presented on Thursday, 17 Iyar, 5785, May 15, 2025, Parshas Emor, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

The Struggle Podcast: Joe Farkas interviews Rabbi YY Jacobson.

00:00 – Intro

01:17 – About Rabbi Jacobson

03:48 – Child predators, and community accountability

15:29 – Child abuse, awareness and education

30:09 – How to build self-esteem

39:37 – Parenting

49:04 – Mikvah, Kids going to the mikvah

56:11– Being vulnerable with your spouse

57:41 – The Agunah crisis and how to navigate divorce

1:14:54 – Final thoughts

1:19:08 – Role models in life

This Lag Baomer class was presented on Tuesday, 15 Iyar, 5785, May 13, 2025, Parshas Emor, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

There is no other sage in the history of Judaism who has all of the Jewish people celebrating on the day that he passed away. Why is the yarzeit of Reb Shimon ben Yochai marked in such a unique and universal way?

How did Reb Shimon bar Yochai end up in a cave? It seems like a classic Jewish story and conversation. One Jew, Reb Yosei, remains quiet about Rome. Reb Yehuda praises the Romans for elevating the standards of life; and Reb Shimon is critical because he said it was for narcissistic purposes. But is there a deeper theme behind this debate? The fact that the Talmud records the details of the debate, and gives us the names of the debaters, instead of just saying that Reb Shimon criticized the government, indicates there is some depth and gravitas to this debate, and that the names are important.

As it turns out, the debate on Rome fascinatingly reflects a debate between Reb Yehuda and Reb Shimon in many aspects of Jewish law.

The Talmud states: Chezekiah stated in the name of Rabbi Jeremiah, who said it in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, "I am able to exempt the whole world from judgment from the day that I was born until now!” (Sukkah 45b). What is that supposed to mean?

The Midrash states in Avod Derabi Nasan ch. 16: Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai would say: From this you know that Israel will never see the face of purgatory. But how can a sage say such a thing?

This text-based class is the Sixth & Last of a series on a Maamar (discourse) by the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Sos Tasis, Likkutei Torah Parshas Tazria (said by the Alter Rebbe at the wedding of his grandson, Reb Nachum, in the winter of 1811).

This class was presented on Monday, 14 Iyar, 5785, May 12, 2025, Parshas Emor, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This text-based class, the fifth of a series on a Maamar (discourse) by the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Sos Tasis, Likkutei Torah Parshas Tazria (said by the Alter Rebbe at the wedding of his grandson, Reb Nachum, in the winter of 1811).

This class was presented on Friday, 11 Iyar, 5785, May 9, 2025, Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This text-based class is the fourth of a series on a Maamar (discourse) by the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Sos Tasis, Likkutei Torah Parshas Tazria (said by the Alter Rebbe at the wedding of his grandson, Reb Nachum, in the winter of 1811).

This class, exploring the love we experience from Hashem when we are open to our profound longing for Him, vs. the love we experience when He arouses it from above, was presented on Thursday, 10 Iyar, 5785, May 8, 2025, Parshas Acharei Mos/Kedoshim, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.