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?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should be our focus as we begin the third week of Elul?  

• What is unique about the month of Elul? 
• Why is the entire month of Elul not a holiday due to the revelation of the Divine compassion during this month? 
• Why does Elul include V’Dodi Li (from above), which seems to be primarily during the holidays in Tishrei? 
• Why am I not seeing the blessings that I asked for from the “king in the field”? What else can I do to help reveal these blessings?
• Did the Rebbe say that the parable of the “king in the field” teaches us that influential people need to go into the fields to greet regular people and make sure they have everything they need physically and spiritually? 
• Is there a correlation between the king leaving his palace and going into the field to the concept of dira b'tachtonim, the king leaving the higher worlds and dwelling in the lower worlds? 
• If we are meeting the “king in the field” why do we wait an entire month to coronate Him? 
• Is there a connection between Elul and education? 
• How can an emotionally unhealthy person prepare for the New Year?
• What can be done about the dissonance between being extremely religious in certain areas and despicable in human relationships? 

• What is the significance of this day? 
• How did Chassidus come to address the abovementioned dissonance? 
• How does Chai Elul infuse more life into Elul to help us get ready for the new year? 
• Do we know of other “new” souls besides the Alter Rebbe? 

• What lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha? 

Chai Elul Ki Tavo 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should be our focus as we begin the second week of Elul?  

• How can Elul practically help us in our daily struggles? 
• Since we can do teshuva in the “blink of an eye” why do we need thirty days of Elul and ten days of teshuva? 
• How do we apply the Alter Rebbe’s example of the “king in the field” in our daily lives? 
• What did the Rebbe add to this example? 
• Is there value in just wanting to be better, even if no action is taken? 
• How can we ensure that we are creating the proper containers in Elul to receive the Divine blessings? 
• Can we tap into Elul’s energy all year round? 
• How does sof maaseh b'machshava techila relate to the month of Elul as the last month of the year leading into the new year? 

• What personal and global lessons can we learn from this week’s Parsha in how to fight our life battles? 
• How do we explain the Torah allowing taking a “beautiful woman” captive during war? 
• What are the practical applications of remembering what Amalek did to us? 
• Can we apply Amalek to the war against Hamas? 
• Why aren’t more religious Jews joining this war? 
• Why are sin offerings brought in the holy temple relevant for us to read today, as well as after the geulah when evil will be eradicated? 

• Are we davening properly? 
• What impact should prayer have on us and our emotional intelligence? 
• How can we make davening a more transformative experience? 

Ki Teitzei Prayer What can Chassidus teach us about trichotillomania (hair pulling)? 
As a non-Jew, will learning Hebrew and studying Torah make my life happy? 

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 What should be our focus as we begin the month of Elul?  

• What is unique about this month? 
• What journey did Moshe take on Rosh Chodesh Elul? 
• How do we recreate that journey in our lives? 
• Why does the name Elul, adopted from Babylonian, carry so much weight?  
• Is there a connection between Elul and hilula? 
• What are the thirteen divine attributes of mercy, how are they more revealed in this month and how can we benefit from them? 
• Why do we blow shofar during this month? 
• Why don’t we begin on the 15th of Av? 
• What did the Rebbe suggest we do during Elul to ensure we have a sweet and successful new year? 

• What personal and global lessons can we learn from the judges and law enforcers we appoint at our gates? 
• What are these gates referring to? 
• Why did the kohen speak to the troops before they went to war? 
• Why is sorcery prohibited? 
• What can we learn from eglah arufah? 
• Can it be applied to the responsibility of those that allowed October 7th to happen? 

• How can we learn Chassidus not just conceptually but as a practical guide for life? 
• What is Ahavas Hashem and how is it expressed in our daily lives? 

Shoftim Is Chassidus impacting our lives? What takes precedent – mental health or religious commitment? 
What is Zionism? 
How should we relate to people of other faiths?