MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Simon Jacobson
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MyLife: Chassidus Applied Podcast by Simon Jacobson addresses the personal and emotional needs of our community by answering the most pressing questions of our lives -- from the perspective of Chassidic thought. The podcast demonstrates how the Torah provides us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offers us all the guidance we need to live the healthiest possible life and build nurturing homes and families, bringing up the healthiest possible children, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Get unlimited free downloads of MP3 recordings o

  1. 2h ago

    Ep. 599: What Is the Correct Way to Understand and Experience the Sadness of This Time of Year

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What should our focus be during these days? 01:48 • What is the correct way to understand and experience the sadness of this time of year? 01:48 • How does the spiral of time work according to Jewish thought? 05:19 • How do we explain the Gemara “just as when Av begins one decreases in rejoicing, so too when Adar begins, one increases in rejoicing”? 04:40Rosh Chodesh Av/Nine Days • What lessons do we learn from this time period? 12:23 • What is unique about Rosh Chodesh Av? 15:30 • Why are these days sadder than other days of the year? 20:54 • What's the highest level of divine revelation that we can access today? 22:33 • How do the laws of the nine days, like not bathing or washing clothes, help build the Third Beis HaMikdash? 27:37Devarim/Chazon • How do we reconcile the literal meaning of Chazon (Isaiah’s vision of the Temple’s destruction) and R’Levi Yitzchok Berditchev’s interpretation that every Jew is shown the Temple from afar? 33:06 • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 35:30 • Why is an entire book of Torah dedicated to reviewing past events that have already happened and been documented? 38:59 • Why are new mitzvos introduced in this book? 42:50 Is there a special connection between the Ramak, whose yahrzeit was on 23 Tammuz, and Chabad Chassidus? 45:57What special strengths does our generation have? 49:46 • Why don’t we have miraculous tools like in previous generations? 54:24 • How are today’s scientific advances in AI consistent with the prophesies about the spread of knowledge in the messianic era? 57:26 What did the Rebbe say when he visited camp? Follow-up • Is money the root of all evil? 58:22

  2. 2h ago

    Ep. 598: What Are the Challenges of Freedom, and How Can We Harness It in Healthy Ways

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: How do we transform this period of the three weeks into geulah? 00:54250th anniversary of July 4th • How did the Rebbe connect July 4th with his arrival to America? 07:50 • Is there an explanation why July 4th 1776 was the 17th of Tammuz? 12:09 • How about the divine providence of Founding Fathers Adams and Jefferson both dying on July 4th? 15:38 • What are the challenges of freedom, and how can we harness It in healthy ways? 16:30Matos-Masei • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 23:37 • How do we reconcile the rigidity of Matos with the flexibility and movements of Masei? 23:37 • Is halacha rigid or flexible? 26:00 • What do the cities of refuge represent on a physical and spiritual level? 30:09 • Why is it important to know the detailed 42 journeys of the Jewish people through the wilderness to Israel? 32:40 • What happens if someone is missing the Sukkos journey in their life (the second of the 42 journeys in our lives)? 37:52How do we direct our summer month vacation into Divine experiences? 40:36 When did the Rebbe visit summer camps and what can we learn from those visits? 41:13 Is it OK to go on a camping trip with my family? 47:14 Why doesn’t G-d simply eliminate the threat of Iran once and for all? 49:54 What is the appeal of communism? And what can we do about it? 53:21 How should I address my daughter and her friends attending a gay pride parade? 59:42

  3. Jun 30

    Ep. 597: How Did the Frierdiker Rebbe Honor America's Liberty When He Visited Philadelphia in 1929​

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Gimmel Tammuz – 99 years: What does this day teach us?  What is the underlying power and message of this liberation for our times? What maamorim did the Frierdiker Rebbe deliver on the days of his geulah, and what are their lessons for today? Is there a comparison between Rashbi and Reb Elozor and the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe? What do we learn from this day? Was shattering the tablets a positive thing? What did the Rebbe say about this in his deeply emotional talk on Simchas Torah 5747? Will it be transformed into a holiday like Tisha B’Av? How did the Frierdiker Rebbe honor the Declaration of Independence when he visited Philadelphia in 1929? What did the Rebbe say about the Founding Fathers' divine inspiration? What is the core mission and purpose of the United States? How does it prepare the world for geulah? What role do the nations of the world play in the grand divine scheme of things? What is the connection between 12-13 Tammuz and July 4th?  Is it appropriate to thank the Rebbe together with thanking Hashem?  What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why was the Land of Israel divided by lottery? Why was the complaint of the daughters of Tzelofchad not rejected like other complaints of the Jews? 17 Tammuz Should we be recognizing the 250th anniversary of July 4th? Gimmel Tammuz Pinchas   What is the significance of a Siyum Sefer Torah? Why the great celebration?

  4. Jun 25

    Ep. 596: What Does Yud Beis Tammuz Teach Us?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Beis Tammuz – 99 years: What does this day teach us?  What happened on this day and what lessons does it offer us today? Why does the celebration of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s liberation extend for two days – 12-13 Tammuz? Why is this month named after a Babylonian idol? What is the spiritual energy of this month? Is there a connection between the events of this day in 5754 and back in the time of Joshua when the sun was stopped? Is there something special about today, June 21, being the longest day of the year? Why didn’t Joshua simply pray that the enemy be defeated? What is the mission of Chassidim who are not on shlichus? Is the Rebbe perfect? Follow-up What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Can we heal people today by using a similar treatment to gazing at a serpent of brass mounted on a pole, as Moses was commanded? Why was Moses striking the rock such a great sin? Why was he not given the opportunity to do teshuva? Why were others not given the opportunity to do teshuva just as the sons of Korach were? What was the sin of Baal Pe’or? What lessons does this despicable sin offer us today? Why is a Parsha named after the evil Balak? What parts of Balaam’s blessings were about Moshiach? What can we learn from Balaam’s closing plot against the Jews? How should we react to the President's latest deal with Iran? Can we parallel the back-and-forth attitude of Iran to what Pharaoh and the Egyptians did regarding freeing the Jews? Tammuz Gimmel Tammuz Chukas-Balak Iran How is today's unrest in the Middle East a continuation of the unresolved conflict between Ishmael and Isaac? And what can we do to achieve permanent peace? Is it a good idea to allow my son to travel with a group to visit the concentration camps in Poland and Ukraine?

  5. Jun 15

    Ep. 595: What Does Gimmel Tammuz Teach and Expect of Us?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: 29 Tammuz: The bridge between 28 Sivan and 3 Tammuz  What should be our focus as we move from the third to the fourth month?How do we reconcile Gimmel Tammuz with the Rebbe telling us about the imminence of Moshiach’s coming? Ad mosai – how much longer must we wait for the geulah? Did the Rebbe make any statements that implied Gimmel Tammuz was about to happen, and did he give clear instructions for what he wanted us to do afterward?  Why do we discuss fewer details about Gimmel Tammuz than about the day of the passing of the previous Rebbes? How can one honor Gimmel Tammuz if they are unable to visit the Ohel? Are kohanim and others who usually avoid visiting a gravesite allowed to visit the Ohel? Is a Rebbe perfect? How should a Chassid approach a situation where he does not understand something the Rebbe said or did? Is the Rebbe doing more miracles today than before Gimmel Tammuz? Can we say that the Rebbe is Moshiach after Gimmel Tammuz? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Is there a connection between Korach and Gimmel Tammuz? What was the deeper reason for Korach’s opposition to Moses? Was Korach like a “communist”? Why did the children of Korach survive? Why does it say that they “thought they were alive” when they were actually alive? Were Dasan and Aviram total villains? Didn’t they allow themselves to get whipped instead of their brethren? Why will Korach serve as Kohan Gadol in the future? How about the rioting that ensued? Gimmel Tammuz – 32 years: What does this day teach and expect of us? Korach Are there any lessons to be learned from the NY Knicks victory?

  6. Jun 8

    Ep. 594: Chof Ches Sivan – 85 Years: What Is the Historic, Spiritual and Cosmic Significance of the Rebbe Coming to America?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chof Ches Sivan – 85 years: What lessons does this day teach us?  What is the historic, spiritual and cosmic significance of the Rebbe coming to America? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? "Send them if you wish": Why did G-d leave the decision to Moshe, and what does it teach us about life's choices? Why were all the Jews punished for the sin of the scouts? Who was Tzelofchad and what was he trying to accomplish by purposely gathering sticks on Shabbos?  Modern Orthodoxy? How do we determine which different opinions are acceptable in Torah?Shelach What do we “live with” when the parsha we read in Israel is different than the one we read outside of Israel?  23 Sivan: What is the significance of this day?   May we walk on the Temple Mount?  How should we react to the Mayor of NYC not marching in the Israeli Day Parade?  What should be our attitude to other types of Jewish communities?

  7. Jun 1

    Ep. 593: How Should We Respond to the Recent Tragic Deaths of Young People in Our Community?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: 15 Sivan  What is the significance of this day? What events happened with the Rebbe and Rebbetzin during the arrest on this day in 1927? What lessons do we learn from the word behaalotecho – raising the flame until it rises on its own?  What is the deeper meaning behind Moshe’s words “where will I find meat”? If Moshe transcended physical meat, how could he pass on the command for the Jews to perform physical mitzvos, including bringing meat offerings? Could the people choose that the manna should taste like non-kosher food?  What will change when non-kosher animals will be permitted in the future?Why are the details of every tribe leader’s offering repeated? How important is individuality in Judaism? What is the practical meaning of the Birchas Kohanim? Why do we thank the kohanim after they bless us? Does everyone have a custom to bless their children before Shabbos with the priestly blessing? Is it appropriate to embrace this custom? How do I find a sicha based on the date it was said? Why don't we find an emphasis on hisbonenus today? Behaalotecho Nasso How should we respond to the recent tragic deaths of young people in our community? What is the appropriate way to learn Torah and Chassidus? Follow-up With children leaving their hometowns to go on shlichus, how will their elderly parents be cared for?  Are animals rewarded for helping us do mitzvos?  How do I deal with guilt over past mistakes?

  8. May 25

    Ep. 592: How Do I Study Torah and Chassidus in a Meaningful and Inspiring Way? A Step-by-Step Guide

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our primary focus during these days following Shavuos?  How do we integrate and internalize Torah into our lives?  What is the appropriate way to learn Torah?  Where do you begin? How important is it to understand what you’re learning? How can the study be inspiring and dynamic?  Where do you begin? What are the axioms and underlying principles one needs to know in order to appreciate Chassidus? What is the structure of sichos and maamorim? What texts do you suggest for a 20-year-old? How can I be sure that what I learn is true? How can I personalize the ideas and not simply see them as abstract concepts? How can I be sure that my application of the learning is accurate?What is the appropriate way to study Chassidus?

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About

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Podcast by Simon Jacobson addresses the personal and emotional needs of our community by answering the most pressing questions of our lives -- from the perspective of Chassidic thought. The podcast demonstrates how the Torah provides us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offers us all the guidance we need to live the healthiest possible life and build nurturing homes and families, bringing up the healthiest possible children, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Get unlimited free downloads of MP3 recordings o

Information

  • Creator
    Rabbi Simon Jacobson
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    397
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rabbi Simon Jacobson
  • Show Website
    MyLife: Chassidus Applied

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