Addressing the Personal and Emotional Needs of Our Community and Answering the Most Pressing Questions of Our Lives -- from the Perspective of Chassidic Thought.

THIS WEEK'S TOPICS:

• Chassidus applied to Vayakhel-Pekudei, Hachodesh and Nissan  

       o What is golus and geulah in our personal lives, and how do we turn displacement into redemption? 

       o What was Betzalel’s role as builder of the Sanctuary? 

       o How can lowly materials become a Divine Mishkan? What is their significance? 

• Lessons from 25 Adar – 120th birthday of the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka 

       o What is the connection to the birthday of the universe? 

       o What do we learn from a birthday? 

• What do we learn from 27 Adar? 

       o What was the last teaching of the Rebbe before the stroke? 

       o The power of unity 

       o Redeeming the Rebbe’s speech by becoming the Rebbe’s mouthpiece  

• Covid and joy

       o How are we to fulfill our role as Shluchim in the age of Covid limitations? 

       o How can we bring the joy of Shabbos back into our homes during these times of lockdown?  

       o Please explain the concept simcha poretz geder. Specifically: how can we force ourselves to be joyous during the current pandemic? 

• Why did Tanya not prevent the epidemic?  

• Is it possible that G-d has not yet sent Moshiach because He is deriving too much pleasure from all that we are doing to fulfill His will? 

• Comments and Follow-up: 

       o Tanya applied 

       o Abuse 

       o Acknowledgements 

• Chassidus question: Why should I care about what's happening “up there”; why should I learn about seder hishtalshilus? 

• MyLife 2020 Chassidus Applied Essay and Creative Contest: 17th Place winners: 

       o Essay English: A Journey from Fear and Suffering to Control and Serenity, Countess Rivka Elkaim, 68, Bal Harbour, FL. Age 68 

       o Essay Hebrew (men): שטות דקדושה, Levi Bar, Student, Kfar Chabad, Israel 

       o Essay Hebrew (women): עידן הקורונה - בוא נצא מהבידוד, Mushka Malka Dekel, Student, Beis Chana Seminary, Tzfas, Israel 

       o Creative: Tefillah to the Heavens (painting), Tanni Cohen, 15, Student, Torah Academy – Johannesburg, South Africa