MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:

What do we learn from Parshas Vayeira?

What is the central theme of this Torah portion?

Why did G-d reveal Himself to Abraham?

How can we gain Divine revelation?

How could Abraham turn away from G-d to greet guests?

If greeting guests is greater than greeting the Shechina, why was G-d offended by Malki-Zedek first blessing Abraham and then blessing G-d?

What can we learn about today’s hostages from Abraham freeing Lot and his family who were taken hostage?

What do we learn from Abraham praying for the wicked people of Sodom?

Can we apply this to praying for Gazans and other criminals?

Are there parallels between today’s events in the Middle East and the story with Sodom?

Does the pillar of salt still exist?

What can we learn from Lot’s wife?

Why didn’t Lot learn from Noah’s mistake in getting drunk?

How can you possibly explain G-d asking Abraham to kill his son?

Why did Abraham not refuse this request?

Cheshvan

What is the meaning of Mar Cheshvan?

Why did King Shlomo wait a year until dedicating and opening up the First Temple?

The song to the words kesiva v’chasima tova – follow-up

What comforting words can you share for the untimely passing of a good friend?

Lech Lecha

How does one get out of their comfort zone?

Is the Promised Land about the physical land or its spiritual power?

Noach

Isn’t it ironic that while we read this parsha, Spain is suffering a devastating flood after they voted to boycott and divest from Israel?

How should we react to President-Elect Trump’s victory?

Should we be celebrating?

Are we allowed to say she’hechiyanu to celebrate his victory?

Can and should we say that he won because he visited the Ohel?

How do you explain the inability of so many Harris supporters to accept that they may be wrong?

What should we say to the Democrats devastated by their loss?

How should I deal with friends and family who refuse to speak to me because I voted for Trump?

Can we say that President Trump has a divine mandate?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:

Chassidus applied to this time of year

What is the lesson from this period following the Tishrei holiday season?

What is the meaning of the custom to announce, “and Yaakov went on his way”?

How can we manifest Divine infinity into our finite lives?

What is the story behind the song to the words “kesiva v’chasima tova”?

What does the month of Cheshvan teach us?

What is the meaning of the name of this month – Mar Cheshvan?

Why is this month related to bitterness (mar) when it follows the festive month of Tishrei?

Why is this month also called bul?

What lessons do we learn from the 7th of Cheshvan?

How do we maintain a connection with G-d even when we feel separate?

What do we learn from this week’s parsha?

What is the central theme of this Torah portion?

How do the promises in this week’s chapter help us in our current battles?

Why does G-d give three descriptions of Abraham’s departure location and is vague about his destination?

What does it mean that Hashem spoke to Abraham? Is that literal or metaphorical?

Why is Abraham’s recognition and declaration of one G-d so significant and consequential?

What is the significance of the bris bein ha’besorim?

Was Abraham the first Jew?

What should our perspective be on this week’s Presidential election?

Can we rest assured that G-d will pick the presidential candidate that will be best for us?

Can we say Tehillim and pray that our chosen candidate wins the election?

How should I deal with my family harshly split over politics?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:

Chassidus applied to this time of year

Why are these days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos so powerful?

What is the lesson from these days?

Why is the day after Yom Kippur called “G-d’s Name”?

What is the proper way to greet people during these days?

What is the significance of new year and holiday blessings?

How do our blessings and best wishes help?

Can we bless others with the priestly blessing even if we are not kohanim?

Though I am a simple person, can I bless others?

Is it appropriate to bless people with “may you always have good news to share”?

Post Yom Kippur

If everyone was forgiven on Yom Kippur, why are some people being punished and suffering?

Why do we sound the shofar at the end of Yom Kippur?

What's the difference between a regular shofar and the “great shofar” that will be sounded when Moshiach comes?

Is there a connection between the call of the “great shofar” and Yom Kippur’s impact on all Jews to do teshuva?

Why do we sing Napoleons March at the end of Yom Kippur and not at the beginning?

Why Napoleon’s March when the Alter Rebbe was so opposed to him?

Why is Yom Kippur exclusively a day of repentance when a person should be repenting every day?

To what extent can Yom Kippur help a person who hasn't repented all year?

Why did G-d send Jonah to a non-Jewish city and encourage them to repent?

How can Sukkos help us in this time of war in Israel?

What is the essential message of Sukkos?

How does the Sukkah help us internalize the light of Yom Kippur?

Why is Sukkos a time of great celebration?

What is the difference between Sukkah and the four species?

Are the four species spiritual weapons?

How can we maximize the blessings of the Sukkah considering that it is the only mitzvah that encompasses our entire bodies?

If the sechach represents the clouds of glory that protected us in the wilderness, why didn't it provide protection on October 7th?

Why was pouring water during Simchas Beis HaShoeivah considered such a joyous event?

How did the Rebbe revitalize this celebration? And why in the streets?

War in Israel

What more can we do?

Is it appropriate to invoke in a note to the Rebbe the merit of his mother to have the hostages released?

What is the background behind the Poalei Tzedek group, established in the town of Lubavitch, who would wake up early every morning to say Tehillim and learn Torah together, and should we recreate that today?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:

How should we honor October 7th?

What can we learn from this day's timing in the holiday season?

What does Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Simchas Torah teach us about today’s war in Israel?

Why is Israel and the Jewish people so central to human civilization?

What should be the number one export from Israel?

What is the connection with the yahrzeit of Rabbi Akiva on the 5th of Tishrei?

What lessons can we draw from the 60th yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chana on Vav Tishrei?

How can Yom Kippur help us in this time of war in Israel?

What is the central theme of Yom Kippur?

What is Yechida, how does it manifest on Yom Kippur and how do we apply it to our lives?

What does this day teach us about today’s events?

Should our children serve in the IDF?

What do we learn from Yom Kippur?

Why do we need ten days of teshuva when one can do teshuva in the blink of an eye?

What is an example of the proper way to do teshuva before and on Yom Kippur?

What is the difference between teshuva tataah and teshuva ilaah?

Are we automatically forgiven on Yom Kippur?

Is there a connection between saying amen yehei shmei rabbah and repentance, prayer, and charity?

What exactly is determined on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur?

Wasn’t everything determined at the time of creation?

Why do we wear white garments?

What should our attitude be about Trump visiting the Ohel?

Why can't Rosh Hashana begin on Friday? Follow-up

What do we learn from Rosh Hashana and the Shofar? This year’s special schedule 

Am I responsible for someone else’s transgressions? Follow-up 
 
What do we learn from Parshas Netzavim-Vayeilech? Selichos War in Israel 

What do we learn from Parshas Ki Teitzei? Does Jewish supremacy have any basis? 

What do we learn from Parshas Shoftim? Enlisting in the IDF How should we defend ourselves from antisemitic attacks? Presidential Election What should our attitude to sports be?