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 

What is unique about the month of Kislev, and what lessons does it offer us? 
 
Yud Kislev 

• What do we learn from this day? 
• What distinguishes the liberations of the Mitteler Rebbe’s on Yud Kislev and the Alter Rebbe on Yud Tes Kislev? 
• How are these differences connected to chochmah and binah? 
• Do we know why this day is not celebrated with the same level of festivities as the 19th of Kislev?  
• Can you summarize the Maamar Padah B’sholom Nafshi, delivered by the Rebbe on the 10th of Kislev 5722? 
• What was the name of the Mitteler Rebbe’s maamar discussing the reasons for the decree of drafting the Cantonists? And what lessons can we learn from it that we can apply to other tragedies and evil decrees against us? 

• Why is this the day that connected the Rebbe to us? 
• How do we practically apply the Rebbe and the Rebbe’s anniversary to our personal lives? 

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 
• What is the deeper meaning in the story of Jacob and Esau – their battle and reconciliation? 
• What are the cosmic and historic implications of their confrontations, and how is it connected to Yud Tes Kislev?  
• Why were the “small vessels” so important that Jacob put himself at risk by returning to retrieve them?  
• Why did Esau’s angel wrestle with Jacob and displace his hip?  
• Can we contrast that with Jacob protecting his head with stones earlier? 
• What is the significance of the angel changing his name to Yisroel, and why does he retain the name Yaakov? 
• Why is Isaac the only one of the patriarchs that did not have his name changed? 
• Are the names of Yaakov and Yisroel connected to tiferes? 
• What lesson do we learn from the detailed descriptions and names of Esau’s progeny? 

• Now that the hostages have been released, what can I do to apologize to G-d for my earlier complaints to Him?

Yud Dalet Kislev Vayishlach Do people with mental health issues or addictions have free will? 
 
Hostages Freed 

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