Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 15th of Shevat 

• Why do we celebrate the New Year for Trees? 
• Why don’t we celebrate it on the third day of creation, when trees and vegetation were created?  
• How do trees celebrate their new year? 
• What is the basis of Shammai and Hillel’s different opinions of when we celebrate the new year for trees? 
• Can it serve as an analogy for stages in the revelation of Moshiach? 
• Was this day celebrated in Biblical times? 
• What is a 15th of Shevat Seder and how do we conduct one? 
• What are some lessons we learn from trees? 

• Is there a source that Shevat is the acronym of sheyihi besuros tovos? 
• Why is Shevat considered a month of good news when sad events took place in it, such as the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• How do the three major events in the book Shemos – Exodus, Matan Torah, building the mishkan – reflect three key stages in our personal, collective and cosmic journey? 
• Why is Matan Torah in Parshas Yisro?
• How would you describe G-d? 
• Is G-d aware of His own existence? 
• Why did the giving of the Torah begin with the Ten Commandments? 
• How did Matan Torah change the world? 
• Why were they not allowed to approach Mt. Sinai, but today anyone can climb that mountain? 
• Why are the Jewish people called a “kingdom of priests”? 
• Is Mitzrayim compared to the meitzar ha’goron, the narrow neck?   

• Why was there a need for the parting of the sea, when their path to Israel did not require going through the Red Sea? 
• Was the parting of the sea an actual event or a metaphor? 
• What is the significance of the people singing the song of the sea after it was parted? 
• What is the power of song? 

Shevat Yisro Beshalach What lessons do we learn from the car ramming into 770 on the night of Yud Shevat? 
 
How do I know if I am doing the right thing in launching a new training program based on Chassidus? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Yud Shevat/Basi L’Gani 

• What is the main theme of Basi L’Gani and this year’s 16th chapter? 
• What is the mission of our generation? 
• What is the role of Gan Eden today? 
• Why can’t the Divine be revealed in the presence of sins? 
• What treasures are being splurged to win today’s wars? 
• If the treasures are being splurged, why are some of us struggling financially? 
• How do we benefit from learning about higher spiritual worlds and levels of G-dliness that we might be unable to access in our physical world?   
• Does the power to conceal require deeper energy than the power to reveal? 
• How would you define a Rebbe in one word? 
• How do you translate “bittul”? 
• Is tzedakah an act of bittul?  
• Should we add tzedakah in honor of Yud Shevat? 

What is the Torah view on alternative forms of healing, such as breathwork, plant medicine, somatic therapy and others? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Rosh Chodesh Shevat • What is the significance of this month and what should be the main focus of our avodah in this time? 02:36 • What do we learn from the mazal of Shevat – bucket (d’li)? 02:36 • What does the word Shevat mean? 07:20Bo • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 10:42 • Why does this parsha combine both the end of the exile and the beginning of the redemption? 11:04 • Why does it mean that during the plague of darkness, there was “light among the Jews”? 14:30 • Why did that light not dispel the surrounding darkness? 17:39 • Why did Pharaoh survive the plague of the firstborn? 21:22 • Why did the exodus begin with the mitzvah of HaChodesh Hazeh Lochem, establishing a lunar based calendar, and why was this the first commandment in Torah? 23:03 • What was the significance of offering the Pascal Lamb and what was the process? 27:16How can we benefit today from the fact that the Jews left Egypt with great wealth? 30:44Vaeirah • What is the story behind the maamar of the Alter Rebbe called "Der Frumer Vaeirah”? Follow-up 35:18Yud Shevat/Basi L’Gani • What is the significance of this day in practical and personal terms? 44:28 57:24 • How does Basi L’Gani describe the purpose of our lives (in the first 10 chapters), and the treasures we are given to fulfill this purpose (in the last 10 chapters)? 44:28 57:24 • What is a summary and chiddush of this year’s chapter 16 of Basi L’Gani? 44:28 57:24 • Why are all sevenths beloved, when the number eight represents a higher, transcendent level? 01:00:33

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Rosh Chodesh Shevat 

• What is the significance of this month and what should be the main focus of our avodah in this time? 
• What do we learn from the mazal of Shevat – bucket (d’li)? 
• What does the word Shevat mean? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• Why does this parsha combine both the end of the exile and the beginning of the redemption? 
• Why does it mean that during the plague of darkness there was “light among the Jews”? 
• Why did that light not dispel the surrounding darkness? 
• Why did Pharaoh survive the plague of the firstborn? 
• Why did the exodus begin with the mitzvah of HaChodesh Hazeh Lochem, establishing a lunar based calendar, and why was this the first commandment in Torah? 
• What was the significance of offering the Pascal Lamb and what was the process? 
• How can we benefit today from the fact that the Jews left Egypt with great wealth? 

• What is the story behind the maamar of the Alter Rebbe called "Der Frumer Vaeirah”? Follow-up 

• What is the significance of this day in practical and personal terms? 
• How does Basi L’Gani describe the purpose of our lives (in the first 10 chapters), and the treasures we are given to fulfill this purpose (in the last 10 chapters)? 
• What is a summary and chiddush of this year’s chapter 16 of Basi L’Gani? 
• Why are all sevenths beloved, when the number eight represents a higher, transcendent level?   

Bo Vaeirah Yud Shevat/Basi L’Gani 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Chof Dalet Teves 

• What is the significance of a Tzaddik’s histalkus? 
• How does it impact us? 
• What connection does it have to current events? 
• What lessons do we learn from the Alter Rebbe’s hilula?  
• What were the circumstances that led to the Alter Rebbe’s passing? 
• How was it related to him fleeing Napoleon’s advance? 
• Is there a connection between the Alter Rebbe returning to retrieve a pair of slippers so they not fall into the hands of Napoleon and Jacob returning to retrieve the small vessels? 
• Why was the Alter Rebbe on a spiritual trial for teaching Chassidus? 
• Was the opposition to the Alter Rebbe based on fear resulting from the Shabbatean movement? 
• Why was the Alter Rebbe attracted to the teachings of Chassidus, which drove him to found Chabad Chassidus? 
• Do we know why the Alter Rebbe family surname changed from Pozner to Baruchovitch? 
• Who authored the maamorim in Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah that begin with the words “LeTosfes Biur”? 
• How can I support the printing of Torah Ohr and Likkutei Torah in English?  

• What is the story behind the maamar of the Alter Rebbe called "Der Frumer Vaeirah”? 
• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• What is the connection between the revelation of Havaya to Moshe to help him free the Jews from Egypt and the splurging of the treasures to help us win our current battles? 
• What do the four expressions of redemption refer to? 
• What is the deeper meaning of Aaron's staff turning into a snake and swallowing the staffs of the Egyptian sorcerers? 
• Why did G-d send ten plagues and not just one massive plague to break Pharoah? 

• Do we know the original names given to Moshe by his parents? 
• How did Moshe find out that he was Jewish? 
• What lessons can we learn from Moshe’s childhood in Pharoah’s palace? 

• How do they reflect on the bigger scheme of future events? 
• Did the Rebbe make any public statements about Iran during the 1979 Islamic revolution that we can learn from today? 

Vaeirah Shemos What are we to make of the uprisings in Iran? 

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:
 What does the cold winter teach us? 
 
Asarah B’Teves 

• What is the significance of this day and what lessons does it teach us, especially facing our current challenges? 
• Why does this fast day supersede Shabbos? 
• Does this fast day commemorate other sad events that happened during these days? 
• Why was translating the Torah into Greek considered a tragedy? 
• And what about the passing of Ezra the Scribe?  

• May I vent and express my anger and frustration? 
• After all the pain and anguish, I want to also voice my pride in the powerful response of the Jewish people 

• Where does the expression “didan notzach” originate? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• Why did Yaakov initially consider revealing when Moshiach would come? 
• And then why was he prevented from doing so? 
• If we include Menashe and Ephraim as tribes, why are their twelve tribes and not fourteen? 
• What's the difference between Reuven and Shimon in our personal avodah? 

• What exactly does hiskashrus to the Rebbe mean? 
• Can it be imposed and done mechanically? 
• Does it leave room for individuality? 
• How does hiskashrus enhance life? 

Aftermath of the horrific Sydney massacre Hei Teves Vayechi Hiskashrus 

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:
 How can we possibly address the horrific terror attack on Jews celebrating Chanukah in Sydney leaving 16 of our people dead? 

• Ad mosai?! 
• What does G-d want of us? 
• How could this happen on Chanukah, which is about conquering darkness with light? And demonstrating this in the streets with a public menorah as the Rebbe instructed?  
• How can we ever explain the tragic murder of any innocent person, let alone a shliach, when we are told that shluchei mitzvah einan nizokin? 
• Where was the protection from above, especially considering that Chanukah draws down from the highest levels of G-dliness, eight above seven? 
• Is it safe to light public menorahs? 
• What do we do about this – physically and spiritually? 
• How can we not feel deep despair and want to give up on Judaism? 
• How do we celebrate Chanukah and learn its lessons in face of this tragedy? 

• What are the primary lessons of Chanukah? 
• Why do we mark the holiday by lighting flames rather than commemorating the victory in the battle against our enemies? 
• What does the light actually represent? 
• What was the war about between the Greeks and the Jews? 
• Did it also include a civil war between the Jewish Hellenists and the rest of the community? 
• Why do we light the candles in the evening, at the door facing outside, and why eight candles – differently than the menorah lighting in the Holy Temple? 
• Why are we not allowed to benefit from the light of the Chanukah candles? 
• Why did the Rebbe institute the lighting of public menorahs? 
• What is the basis of Hillel and Shammai’s different opinions about the order of lighting the Chanukah candles? 
• How will we light the candles after Moshiach comes? 

• How to navigate when you're at rock bottom with barely any support?\
• Can we apply the story of hearing the child’s cry to Hashem and His people? 

• Does Miketz hint to the end of golus? 

Chanukah Dealing with harsh difficulties Miketz 

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