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 

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answeredDonate now: https://mylife500.comFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Shluchim conference • Why did the Rebbe institute the annual Kinus HaShluchim? • What can we all learn from it? • What is the meaning of shlichus? • How did the Rebbe connect the shluchim to the weekly Torah portion? • Who was the first shliach in the Torah? Toldos • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? • How could – and why did – Jacob behave deceptively? • Was there anything redeeming about Esau? • Is tiferes an attribute of its own, or is it an outgrowth of chesed and gevurah? Rebbe Rashab – follow-up • Can you begin teaching a new series of classes in the Rebbe Rashab's chassidus? • Is there a way to figure out what the conclusion of Hemshech Ayin Beis may have been? • How about the answers to the questions in the beginning of Ayin Beis about the two crowns? Chayei Sarah – follow-up • What does the union of “mah” and “ban” mean in context of the marriage of Yitchak and Rivkah? • Was Rivkah three years old when she married Yitzchak? • Why don’t we know more details about the other children of Abraham? • Why was Yitzchak named after Sarah’s laughter? Rosh Chodesh Kislev • What should our focus be during this month? • What new ideas and activities did the Rebbe begin after Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738? • New York Under Mamdani – follow-up Protesting Mandatory Military Service for Yeshiva Students • How could you criticize these protests organized by Torah leaders and devout Jews?

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 

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answeredDonate now: https://mylife500.comFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Vayeira • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 05:25 • Can you explain the story of the Rebbe Rashab crying as a child why Hashem doesn’t appear to him as He did to Abraham, and the Tzemach Tzedek’s response? 11:20 • Why is a bris such an important mitzvah that it was commanded to Abraham before the Torah was formally given? 13:48 • Why then are women not obligated to perform this mitzvah? 18:20 • What did the Tzemach Tzedek say that “Rashab” is the same letters as “basar” (reish, shin, beis)? • Why did Abraham turn away from G-d to greet the guests? 20:18 • How is that different than Melchizedek blessing Abraham before G-d? 22:48 • Why doesn’t G-d bless us to be wealthy like Abraham? 26:07 • Why did Sarah laugh when she heard that she would give birth, and was it appropriate? 32:23 • What is the significance of Sarah instructing Abraham to send Yishmael and Hagar away? 35:02 • How can we justify the Akeidah; why would a compassionate G-d command Abraham to murder his son? 39:30 • Why was Abraham called Ivri? 45:17New York City Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani 48:00 • Why is G-d not protecting the city that became the home of the Rebbeim from electing a racist mayor? 50:52 • Should we be afraid and run away if he wins the election? 55:01 • Should we grieve? 56:03 • Is this a sign that we should move to Israel? 57:08 • How is it possible that such a candidate is leading the race? 57:08 • What can we do about the situation? 57:08 • Is there anything we can apply today from Stalin’s downfall related to the Rebbe’s maamar and story about exclaiming three times hu-ra on Purim 5713? 58:10How should we react to the recent, tragic, untimely death of a young man in Israel? 01:01:01

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 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Post Holidays 

• What should be the focus of our work during these last days of Tishrei? 
• What is the meaning of the V’Yaakov holach l’darko announcement after the Tishrei holidays? 
• Why is this next month called MarCheshvan, mar meaning “bitter”? 
• Can mar be interpreted as “master”? 
• What are your thoughts on the over-consumption of alcohol on Simchas Torah in our communities? Why should drinking be allowed at all? 

• What is the meaning of the Chassidic aphorism that “the way you establish yourself on Shabbos Bereishis is how your year will go”? 
• Why does the Torah begin with the letter beis and not alef? If it’s because beis is the acronym for blessing (brocha), then why does the Hebrew alphabet and the Ten Commandments begin with an alef? 
• What is the meaning of Tohu in the second verse of this week’s parsha? 
• What is its connection to Kabbalistic concept of Tohu? 
• Did Tohu have free choice to prevent the containers from shattering? 
• What is the meaning of man being created in the Divine image? 
• Were Adam and Eve commanded to follow any laws besides not eating from the Tree of Knowledge? 
• Did they have access to the Torah? 
• Were they considered Jewish? 
• If Adam and Eve had not eaten from the tree of knowledge, would Moshiach have come right away? If so, how would all the divine sparks have been elevated, and what have we achieved over the last 5786 years? 
• Was the Garden of Eden a physical place on Earth? Where is its location? 
• Did Cain ever repent for killing Abel? 
• Why did the Chabad Gabbai wear a shtreimel when he “sold” the mitzvos on Shabbos Bereishis? 
• Why don’t Chabad chassidim wear shtreimels?” 

• How should we react to the recent release of the hostages and the peace proposal advanced by President Trump?

Bereishis Hostages Freed 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Yud Gimmel Tishrei 

• What was unique about the Rebbe Maharash? 
• How did the Rebbe explain (on 13 Tishrei 5740) the words of the Baal HaHilula: “Now we have to go visit my father and hear what is happening? 
• What practical lessons can we learn from the Rebbe Maharash? 
• Does a Rebbe ever "leave" us?

• How could such an atrocity happen on the day when G-d’s essence is revealed? 
• Why should we go to shul if that makes us targets? 
• What would the Rebbe say to these congregants and to the broader Jewish community to strengthen them? 

• What is the origin of the Sukkos holiday? 
• What is the personal significance of this holiday? 
• Is Sukkos a continuation of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? 
• How does it help us internalize the light and energy of Yom Kippur? 
• What do we learn from the fact that the sukkah is the only mitzvah that surrounds our entire body? 
• Why doesn’t Chabad sleep in the Sukkah? 
• Since Sukkot foreshadows the Messianic era, why do we focus on temporary dwellings rather than permanent redemption? 
• What is the personal spiritual meaning of the four species? 
• What is the significance of the Ushpizin and the Chassidishe Ushpizin? 
• Why was Sukkos established in the rainy season of autumn and not close to the Passover spring season? Why do we care what the Gentiles would say? 
• What is the meaning of the Musaf prayers about the seventy bull offerings? 

• What is the connection between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur with Hoshana Rabba, Shemini Atzeret and Simchas Torah? 
• Does Hoshana Rabba represent yechida within yechida? 

• On which holiday of this month is our livelihood determined – Rosh Hashana, or Shemini Atzeres when the amount of rainfall is established? 
• What is the history behind the Sefer Torah the Rebbe danced with on Simchas Torah? 
• How can women fully experience Simchas Torah? 
• What is the meaning behind the story that the angels found shoe soles in Gan Eden the morning after Simchas Torah?

Manchester Yom Kippur terrorist attack Chassidus Applied to Sukkos  Hoshana Rabba Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Vav Tishrei 

• Any recollections of Vav Tishrei 5725? 
• Why did the Rebbe honor his mother by explaining Rashi’s commentary on the parsha? 
• Can you tell a story about the Rebbe’s mother to inspire us as we head into Yom Kippur? 

• Why is this the holiest day of the year? 
• What is the personal significance of this day? 
• Does G-d need to “atone” for suffering He has caused us? 
• Why lekach? 
• Is Yom Kippur a joyous day? 
• Why do we fast? 
• Why is Yom Haki-purim compared to Purim? 
• What is the connection to a lottery? 
• Why two goats? 
• Should we fight our enemies or transform them? 
• What are some suggestions the Rebbe made to help win the Yom Kippur war? Can we do some of those things this Yom Kippur to win today’s war? 

• Kaporos 
• Kol Nidrei 
• Ki Hinei KaChomer 
• Why do we say in Avinu Malkeinu that “we have no accomplishments”? 
• Why were the ten martyrs killed? 
• V’tiher Rabbi Yishmael 

• How should we react to the embarrassing conflicts in our own shul? 

Chassidus Applied to Yom Kippur  Yom Kippur Prayers How should we react to countries like England, France and Canada declaring a Palestinian state? 
Can we expect peace in Israel if we have no peace in our communities? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Why does Rosh Hashana offer us new opportunities and possibilities? Erev Rosh Hashana • Why is it customary to visit the gravesite of the righteous before Rosh Hashana? • Please describe how to write a letter to the Rebbe at the Ohel. Or do you write to G-d in merit of the Rebbe? • What is the connection to the Tzemach Tzedek’s birthday on Erev Rosh Hashana? Chassidus Applied to Rosh Hashana • What is the personal significance of this day? • What is the connection between Rosh Hashana being the birthday of the human race and it being the Day of Judgment? • What does Judgment mean? • What does it mean to be written in the Book of Life? • Why don’t we always see the fulfillment of our prayers? • How can we create the proper containers for G-d's blessings? • Are we allowed to ask for physical success and wealth? • Is there one prayer to focus on? • Why do we read on Rosh Hashana the story of Chana praying for a child? • What do we learn from Chana about how to pray? • Why is praying for our needs not a lack of faith in G-d's plans for us? • How do we balance both extremes of focusing on coronating G-d as King and our own needs? • How can we mere mortals crown G-d as our King when G-d is completely beyond us and our comprehension? • Is there truth to the story with the Rebbetzin asking that blessings for the new year should be directed to Klal Yisroel instead of to her personally? • What is the meaning of the Alter Rebbe saying that he davened on Rosh Hashana with his “shtender”? • Why is parnasa for the year determined during the reading of the "Mizmor L’David" recited on Rosh Hashana evening? • Can I dip my apple in sugar? Rosh Hashana 5786 • What is the significance of Rosh Hashana falling on Tuesday? • What acronym can be suggested for the year Tov Shin Peh Vav? Shofar • Is there a connection between the commandment to make and sound trumpets to the shofar that we blow today on Rosh Hashana? • What is the difference between a regular shofar and "the great shofar"? • Why does the sounder of the shofar look at the community after blowing the shofar? • Was it important to look at the Rebbe when he sounded the shofar? • What is the connection of Rosh Hashana with the Baal Shem Tov hearing that Moshiach will come when his wellsprings are spread outward?What can we do to ensure that Hashem will have mercy on the remaining hostages and have them all safely freed?What is the connection of Rosh Hashana with the Baal Shem Tov hearing that Moshiach will come when his wellsprings are spread outward?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Preparing for the New Year • What should be our focus during these last days of Elul? • What do we learn from the creation of the universe on the 25th of Elul? • Looking back at 5785 can we say it was a good year? • How can we prepare for the New Year if we feel empty and alone due to family separations? • Can a person prepare for the New Year while remaining emotionally unhealthy? • How can I prepare properly for Rosh Hashana when I am struggling financially and it's taking a toll on my shalom bayis? • Just as we need time to prepare for the coronation of the king, can we say that the 31 years since Gimmel Tammuz was needed to prepare for the coronation of Moshiach? Netzavim • Why do we always read this Parsha before Rosh Hashana? • What lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha? • Unity • Redemption • Torah’s personal relevance • Choose life • What did this covenant add to the Sinai covenant? • How does Tanya explain the verse ki karov ey’lecha ha’dovar me’od b'picha u'blvovcha la’soso?How can I find a trustworthy and competent mashpia? How should we react to the assassination of Charlie Kirk? • Should we be supportive of him though he advocated Christianity? • How should we respond to his enemies mocking him? What does the Torah mean when it says that after the Geulah our mouths will be filled with laughter?