MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
What should our focus be at this time of year?   

• What should we do when we don't feel inspired? 
• What great things are accomplished through self-generated effort? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• Can we view Sarah's laughter when she heard that she would bear a child in a positive way? 
• Are the problems caused today by Arabs/Muslims a continuation of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away from Abraham's home? 
• How could Abraham, a merkavah to G-d's will, challenge G-d for wanting to destroy Sodom? 
• Was it inappropriate of Abraham to pray for Sodom? 
• What does it mean when G-d says "I will descend now and see" if Sodom has sinned – isn't G-d omnipresent and omniscient? 
• Why did the residents of Sodom mistreat travelers?  
• Why doesn't G-d destroy other wicked cities? 
• Why did Lot's wife turn into a pillar of salt? 
• How do we explain the strange story of the Akeidah? 
• Why didn't Isaac resist? 

• Can you present a short biography of the Rebbe Rashab? 
• How do we explain the Tzemech Tzedek's response that Abraham earned G-d's revelation due to his circumcision – didn't G-d reveal Himself to Abraham earlier as well? 

Vayeira  
Chof Cheshvan Can we say that Europe is suffering its fate due to its mistreatment of Jews, as G-d told Abraham, "Those that bless you shall be blessed"?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:

What should our focus be as Tishrei concludes and Cheshvan begins?

• What does v’Yaakov holech l’darko mean?
• Why do we use a verse about Yaakov’s return to Israel to describe our leaving the holiday season and entering the mundane year?
• Why is this month called MarCheshvan?

Can we predict what will happen in 5787 based on its number Tav Shin Paz (gold)?

• What can we learn from events that happened 100 and 200 years ago?

Noach

• What do the flood and the ark teach us about today’s world?
• What is the meaning and significance of the teivah (ark)?
• How can we say that teivah refers to the words of Torah before the Torah was given?
• Why is this Parsha read in the month of Cheshvan?
• What is the connection between the flood and a mikveh?
• Why did G-d destroy the entire world in the great flood and not just the sinners?
• Is it possible that G-d will destroy the world because of today’s terrorists and their supporters as He did in the time of the flood?
• What was the difference between Noach and Abraham?
• How do we reconcile Noach being a tzaddik just in his generation with the meaning of that title explained in Tanya?
• Why the distinction between kosher and non-kosher animals entering the ark, when consuming meat was not permitted before the flood?
• What happened to the fish during the flood?
• Why did the animals want to leave the ark after the flood, unlike Noah?
• Why was life expectancy lowered to 120 after the flood?

Miracle of Flight 1073

• Why does G-d not do more great miracles?
• How do we reconcile this miracle with the many times miracles don’t happen to save people from tragedies, such as on October 7 when 1200 people were killed?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should our focus be during this last week before Rosh Hashana?  
 
25 Elul 

• What is the significance and personal application of this day?  
• How can we say that the world was created on the 25th of Elul when time itself was a creation and there was no time before creation? 

• What is unique about this year beginning on Shabbos? 
• And it being the longest possible year? 
• Has anyone come up with a good acronym for Tov Shin Pei Zayin? 
• Do you have anything to say about the fact that we have 213 years left until the end of the sixth millennium? 

• Should we be afraid of Judgment Day? 
• What can I do about the heaviness and guilt I feel every Rosh Hashana? 
• Is everything I do for myself and not for G-d a sin? 
• Why should I bother going to shul on Rosh Hashana? 
• Especially considering that my prayers are not being answered? 
• What is the source in Torah that on Rosh Hashana we coronate Hashem as King? 
• If the creation of the universe and G-d's coronation as King is dependent on us, how did that come to be at the outset of creation before there was an “us”? 
• Since “malchus has nothing of its own” do we say that our relationship with G-d is completely dependent on us? 
• What is the difference between the renewal of existence on Rosh Hashana and its renewal every moment? 
• How could G-d consult the angels about creation when the angels themselves were created? 
• Are there any differences between how the 13 attributes of mercy manifest in Elul and how they manifest in the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? 
• What is the connection between Atem Netzavim HaYom and Rosh Hashana? 
• Why was the shofar sounded in the Beis Ha’Mikdash on Shabbos? 
• Since Shabbos accomplishes the same thing the shofar accomplishes, why do we need to sound the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashana? 

• What is the sequence of the holidays following Rosh Hashana? 
• What is yechida and how do we access it on Yom Kippur? 
• What is the significance of the joy of Sukkos following the Days of Awe? 

• Why do they have to remain hidden? 

5787 Rosh Hashana Yom Kippur and Sukkos 36 Tzaddikim (follow-up) 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What is Chai Elul's Personal Message to Us? 

• Who revealed to us that this day is the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe? 
• Why was it kept secret for many years? 
• What is the meaning of the statement that Chai Elul infuses chayus into the entire month of Elul? 
• What is the source that the last twelve days of this month correspond to the twelve months of the year? And what is the connection with Chai Elul?  
• Why did the Baal Shem Tov sign his name “Yisroel from Okup” when he was born in Tlust? 
• What is the story about the Baal Shem Tov’s previous reincarnation? 
• What is the significance of the Alter Rebbe being a neshama chadasha? Why does such a neshama need 24 months of gestation? 
• Who was Achiya HaShiloni, the teacher of the Baal Shem Tov, and what is their connection? 
• What do we know about the thirty-six hidden tzaddikim? 
• What were the two last things the Baal Shem Tov heard from his father, and how did that shape him and the philosophy of Chassidus? 
• Why was the Baal Shem Tov not arrested for spreading Chassidus like the Alter Rebbe? 
• What is the connection with the establishment of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim? 
• Do we know why the cornerstone of 770's expansion was laid on the 17th of Elul? 
• Why do they say that if you don't believe Baal Shem Tov stories you are an apikores and if you do believe them, you are a fool? 
• Did the Baal Shem Tov banish demons from this earth?

• Why did the Frierdiker Rebbe get married on a Friday, as was customary then, but today we don't usually have weddings on a Friday? 

• Does the “king in the field” mean that Elul impacts us even if we don’t improve our behavior? 
• And does this power exist all year round?  
• How do we reconcile the explanation of ani l’dodi v’dodi li with the Frierdiker Rebbe’s interpretation that it refers to businesspeople and scholars? 
• How do we justify tragedies in this month of compassion? 
• Why are our prayers not being answered? 

13 Elul Elul Thank you 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should our focus be during these days of Elul? 

• What makes Elul unique? 
• Is Elul initiated from below (Ani L’Dodi) or from above (the king in the field)? (follow-up) 
• How do we create vessels for G-d's blessings this time of the year? 
• If the king is in the field during Elul, where does that leave us the rest of the year? 
• Is G-d more present during this time of the year? 
• I’ve had a very difficult year... What more can I do to ensure that the thirteen attributes of compassion manifest in my life? 
• Since G-d does all the mitzvos he commands us to do, how does He perform the mitzva of teshuva? 
• Can we say that this is like tzaddikim doing teshuva? 
• How can we say that G-d “regrets” anything? 
• Why does a Baal Teshuva reach higher than a Tzaddik? 
• Why are there no Shoftim maamorim in Likkutei Torah? 
• Can we bless someone with a happy new year over the phone? Should they answer amen? 
• What is the power of answering amen? 
• Is the blessing valid and does it work even without answering amen? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• What is the significance of “Tavo” and the mitzva of the first fruit offering (bikurim) 
• What do we know about the stones upon which the Torah was inscribed?  
• How do we possibly explain the hidden blessing in child cannibalism?! 

• Why did the Rebbe tell us to celebrate and be extra joyous on the Frierdiker rebbes wedding anniversary? 

Ki Tavo 13 Elul G-d leading our footsteps when we travel on vacation (follow-up) 
Are we allowed to pray for others without their knowledge and consent? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What should our focus be during these early days of Elul? 05:03 • How does Av give birth to Elul? 01:04 • What is unique about the “king in the field” in Elul when we have access to G-d all year round? 08:59 • Is Elul initiated from below (Ani L’Dodi) or from above (the king in the field)? 15:29 • What are the thirteen attributes of divine compassion (Yud Gimmel Midos HaRachamim)? 20:43 • How are they related to the Yud Gimmel Tikkunei Dikna (thirteen strands of the beard)? 24:11 • What more can I do to ensure that these attributes of compassion manifest in my life? 30:27 • Is there a connection between Elul and the similar sounding word hilulah? 38:12 • What’s the best way to bless someone for a happy new year? 40:06 • Is it enough just to bless each other for a good year, or do we need to do some action as well? 42:40 • Why don’t we refrain from sounding the shofar thirty days before Rosh Hashana as we do with eating matzah before Pesach? 44:25 • What maamar would you suggest we study in Elul that discusses the spiritual energy of the month of Elul? 47:30How do I deal with a guilty past? • How to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy remorse? 49:42 • Can the mystical concept of sheviras ha’keilim help us in this process? 54:20Ki Teitzei • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 58:55 • Why do we “go out” (ki teitzei) to wage war, and we do so “above our enemies” (al oi’vecho)? 58:55 • How does that dramatically change the way we face life challenges? 01:00:50 Who is leading our footsteps when we travel on vacation? 01:02:38Camp (follow-up) • Does Gan Israel suggest a level lower than Israel? 01:05:30

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should be our focus during these days as we transition from Av to Elul? 

• Why is Elul a special month?  
• How do we maximize its opportunities? 
• What is our main work this month? 
• What is its personal relevance in our lives? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• What is the connection between Shoftim and Elul? 
• Why does the Torah prohibit sorcery and witchcraft? How is it different from a doctor? 
• Can this be applied to going to shamans today for plant medicine ceremonies? 
• Why were those exiled to the cities of refuge freed upon the passing of the High Priest? 
• What does this teach us about current leaders? 
• What lessons do we learn from the Eglah Arufah? 
• Why is a king prohibited from buying many horses? 
• How does this apply today? 
• Why did the Shaloh ask his son not to build a house more opulent than his needs? 
•  Why did the Rebbe reject a new car?

• Should we pray based on our merits or asking for G-d's favor? Follow-up 

Shoftim Vaetchanan Who named it Camp Gan Israel? 
What was the relationship between Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and the Rebbe? 
 
Are we allowed to take off our yarmulkas for any reason?  
 
How can I encourage my spouse to stop speaking negatively about one of our children to another child? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should be our focus during these days? 

• Why do we begin blessing each other with wishes for a good year on the 15th of Av? 
• Why is it written that there were no holidays like the 15th of Av in the past tense? 

• What is the relevance of this day? 
• What is the significance of this day coming 40 days before Rosh Hashana? 
• Why did the Rebbe’s father have to endure such excessive suffering? 
• Can it be explained by the idea that, to grow to an unprecedented higher level, one needs to nullify previous levels entirely? 
• What was unique about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s teaching style? 
• How would you describe what it adds to Chabad Chassidus in general? 
• Are his writings Chassidishe Chassidus or Rebbe’she Chassidus? 
• Can you give us an example of some of his teachings? 
• How can we honor the Rebbe’s father? 
• Who is in charge of publishing Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s teachings? 
• What is the connection of Reb Levi Yitzchak to the month of Av? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• What is the meaning of the blessings and curses in the Torah? 
• What is the proper way to bless someone? 
• Is there a source that on a birthday one has a special power to bless others? 
• How do we create a vessel for blessings? 
• What can we do to remove blockages from receiving blessings? 
• How do we transform a curse into a blessing? 
• If curses are really hidden blessings, why do we need revealed blessings? 
• Why does the Midrash connect the blessings and curses to the physical topography of the mountains associated with them? 
• What can we learn from the Torah’s way of recognizing a true and false prophet to help us identify charlatans and scammers today? 

Chof Av Re'eh 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should be our focus during these days following Tisha B'Av? 
 
15 Av 

• What is the relevance of this day? 
• Why is it considered the greatest holiday together with Yom Kippur? 
• Why did they break the axe after finishing the yearly wood chopping quota instead of keeping it for next year? 
• Will this day still be celebrated after Moshiach comes? Or will the transformed 9th of Av supplant this day? 
• What maamar or sicha do you suggest we learn explaining this day? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• How does Eikev allude to ikvasa d’meshicha, the heel/footsteps of Moshiach?  
• What is the meaning of ikvasa d’meshicha – why is it called “heel”? What is its significance? 
• What's the difference between the footsteps of Moshiach, the days of Moshiach, and the era of Moshiach? And which stage are we in today? 
• Why is Eikev the gematria of the 172 words of the Ten Commandments? 
• Are the seven species that with which Israel is blessed (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates) healthier for us? 
• Why is the second set of tablets greater than the first? 

• If we are comforted by being shown the third temple on Shabbos Chazon, why do we additionally need Shabbos Nachamu? 
• Why is there a double expression of consolation – Nachamu Nachamu stated twice? 
• Can we say that the first half of summer is sadder due to The Three Weeks, and the second half is happier due to the Seven Weeks of Comfort? 
• What can one do if they don't feel consoled on this Shabbos due to the active problems that exist in the world? 

• Why was Moshe told to stop praying to enter Israel when we are taught that prayer has the power to change G-d's will? 
• Was Moshe praying or asking for a gift? 
• Is it risky to ask G-d for a favor? 

• How is it possible that with the great revelations of holiness in the Beis Hamikdash people were able to sin and cause its destruction? 
• Is the Beis Hamikdash an actual physical structure or is it a superconscious collective state of harmony between the spiritual and physical world? 
• Even if we aren’t allowed to rebuild the Beis Hamikdash, can we start collecting money for it?  
• Is Israel holy because the Beis Hamikdash was there, or was the Beis Hamikdosh there because Israel is holy? 
• When Moshiach comes, will we all feel it? 

• Why does the Torah name some villains and not others? 
• Why did the sages not speak up in defense of Bar Kamtza and why is the name of the host not mentioned – the Chasam Sofer’s explanation? 

Eikev Nachamu Vaetchanan Rebuilding the Temple Kamtza and Bar Kamtza – follow-up  

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 5 Av: Yahrzeit of the Arizal 

• What is the relevance of this day? 
• How was the Arizal unique? 
• What is a short biography of the Arizal and his teachings? 
• What does it teach us?  
• What did the Arizal say in his eulogy of the Ramak? 
• How should we honor this day? 

• What should be our focus during these days leading into Tisha B'Av? 
• What is the meaning of this month’s name? 
• Do people born this month have a unique personality type? 
• Why was the Temple destroyed? 
• How could baseless hatred, which is not punishable in the Torah by death, be enough reason for the destruction of the Temple and death of so many? 
• Is it appropriate to eat meat during these days? 
• Why do some people insist on eating meat? 
• What is the meaning and significance of the last verse in the Shabbos Chazon Haftorah: Tzion ba’mishpat ti’podeh v’shoveho b’tzedakah? 
• Does it mean that redemption will literally come through charity? 
• Why are we not told the names of the perpetrators in the Kamtza Bar Kamtza story – the host, the silent rabbis? 
• Does Tanya chapter 32 mean that all Jews are actually equal, or only potentially so? 

• What lessons did the Rebbe teach us from soccer? 

• Why was Moshiach born on this day? 
• Doesn’t the human Moshiach have an actual birthday? 
• Is there a connection between Eicha (which we read on this day) and the question ayeko (which is comprised of the same letters) that G-d asked Adam? 
• Are there any lessons to be learned from the fact that smoke from Canadian wildfires has filled the air of Northern USA on the weekend before Tisha B’Av? 

Menachem Av/Nine Days What can we learn from the World Cup, especially during these days? Tisha B'Av