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Rabbi YY Jacobson presented this keynote lecture to employees of "Rayim," an organization dedicated to help people with special needs and all forms of physical and mental challenges.

The event took place on Wednesday, 8 Teves, 5785, Parshas Vayechi, January 8, 2025, at Florham Park, NJ.

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This class was presented on Tuesday, 25 Adar, 5785, March 25, 2025, Parshas Pekudei, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

Why did Moshe feel compelled to account for every coin he received? Did people think Moses packed away some of the cash to buy real estate in Saudi Arabia or purchase his private jet? Even if it is important to know that Moses gave an accounting to teach us transparency, the Torah could have simply said that Moses gave an accounting of all the gold, silver, and copper contributed to the Sanctuary project.

The theme of the entire second book of the Torah, Shemos, is dedicated to nation-building. In Genesis, we are referred to as “benei Yisroel,” the children of Israel; we are a family, and a fragmented one as such. It is only in Exodus, when we are first called an “Am,” a nation. This is the pervading thread of the entire book of Shemos. While the narratives of Genesis focus on individuals—Adam, Eve, the snake, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Lot, Hagar, Ishmael, Isaac, Rebecca, Esau, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Judah, Joseph etc.—Exodus is a book about a people, a nation. Individuals are mentioned, of course, but all these names are discussed as representatives of a nation or assisting the formation of a nation. Shemos is about the collective, not the individual.

Here comes a profound challenge. Does nation-building, by definition, come at the expense of the individual? Sure, you can’t have a nation without individuals joining together, but perhaps the value of the individual is only insofar as he or she becomes a part of the whole. The value of my “I” is only because it contributes to the “We.”

The class explored the profound need for each of us to be seen, and to be able to truly see others, especially our children and students, see them in their full power and presence.

This class is the second in a series on the Maamar (Chassidic discourse) Zos Chukas Hatorah, presented by the Lubavitcher Rebbe at the Farbrengen of Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, Parshas Parah, 23 Adar, 5721, March 11, 1961.

This text-based class by Rabbi YY Jacobson was presented on Thursday, 20 Adar, 5785, March 20, 2025, Parshas Vayakhel, Parshas Parah, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

The class explores a deeply enigmatic Midrash comparing the two Mitzvos of Pesach and the Red Cow to two queens of whom we do not know who is greater. We continue to discuss why the only labor specified in the Torah not to do on Shabbos is igniting a fire, and the meaning of Moshe comparing Hashem to a "consuming flame." We explain what is the wick that channels the Divine flame and light into our world and how surrender is the key to the fire burning in our consciousness and our universe.

This closing session/Keynote address, followed by Q & A with Rabbi YY Jacobson at the Kesher Nafshi Shabbaton took place on Sunday, 2 Adar, 5785, March 2, 2025, at the Armon Hotel, Stamford, Connecticut.

"Kesher Nafshi" is an organization that provides guidance and produces Chizuk Events for parents whose children are struggling with life-threatening challenges such as alcohol, drug addiction, depression, suicidal idealization, and many other emotional challenges.

This class was presented on Tuesday, 18 Adar, 5785, March 18, 2025, Parshas Vayakhel, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

This class is the first in a series on the Maamar (Chassidic discourse) Zos Chukas Hatorah, presented by the Lubavitcher Rebbe at the Farbrengen of Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, Parshas Parah, 23 Adar, 5721, March 11, 1961.

This text-based class by Rabbi YY Jacobson was presented on Monday, 17 Adar, 5785, March 17, 2025, Parshas Vayakhel, Parshas Parah, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

The class explores a deeply enigmatic Midrash comparing the two Mitzvos of Pesach and the Red Cow to two queens of whom we do not know who is greater. We continue to discuss why the only labor specified in the Torah not to do on Shabbos is igniting a fire, and the meaning of Moshe comparing Hashem to a "consuming flame." We explain what is the wick that channels the Divine flame and light into our world and how surrender is the key to the fire burning in our consciousness and our universe. 

Amazing & Inspiring Kids Program with Stories, Science, Davening, Learning, and Live Q & A with Rabbi YY. Ask any question here or text or Whatsapp (718) 977-5279. 

Click to watch the full class

This class was presented on Thursday, 13 Adar, 5785, March 13, 2025, Parshas Ki Sisa, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.