MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Simon Jacobson
  • 4.9 (75)
  • Judaism
  • Updated Weekly

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. 1d ago

    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?

    1h 16m

  2. 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?

    1h 5m

  3. 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?

    1h 8m

  4. 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?

    1h 4m

  5. 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?

    1h 15m

  6. May 18

    Ep. 591: What’s the Most Important Way to Prepare for Matan Torah?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Rosh Chodesh Sivan  What is the unique power of this day? What does “like one person, with one heart” mean? What’s the most important way to prepare for Matan Torah? It’s gratifying to see that Rabbis in Jerusalem reacted to your program last week, warning against harassment. What are we celebrating on Shavuos? What is the historic and cosmic significance of the Giving of the Torah? What exactly is Torah? Since Torah is the purpose of creation, why was it not given to Adam in the beginning of creation? What was the purpose of the patriarchs keeping the Torah before it was given?  Why is the holiday called Shavuos? What is its connection to oaths? Is Shavuos the anniversary of our nation’s birth? Why is the 50th day not counted? Why don’t we begin the new cycle of reading the Torah after Shavuos, when we received the Torah? Why don't we dance with the Torah on Shavuos like we do on Simchas Torah? Why were there thunder and lightning when the Torah was given? What did we receive at Sinai – the entire Torah, or just the Ten Commandments? Why do the Ten Commandments begin with an Egyptian word – Anochi? Is there any connection with Adam using that word when he hid from G-d after eating from the Tree of Knowledge? Why are there differences between the two texts of the Ten Commandments documented in the Torah? Why is naaseh v’nishma considered a great act? What is the virtue of committing and acting before listening and understanding? If action is primary, why the need to understand? What is the meaning of the two crowns given to us at Matan Torah? What does the Rebbe Rashab say about this in his magnum opus Hemshech B’Shaah She’hikdimu Ayin Beis? Shavuos – Matan Torah The Ten Commandments Naaseh V’Nishma and the Crowns Why don't we recite the chapter about Manna in our daily prayers? Follow-up

    1h 6m

  7. May 11

    Ep. 590: Is the Torah Only for Jews?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Bamidbar  What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? What is the connection between Bamidbar and Matan Torah on Shavuos? If the Torah was given in the desert to show that nobody can claim ownership of it, how can the Jewish nation claim exclusive ownership of the Torah? Is the Torah only for Jews? What is the purpose of counting the Jewish people? Why did the Rebbe gaze at each person passing by to recite the blessing over the Lulav on Sukkos 5752?What does all this teach us today? How are the curses in Torah really hidden blessings and why do they have to be disguised as the opposite? What is an example of a great blessing hidden within an apparent curse?  If they are really hidden blessings, how do they serve as a deterrent? Should we see negative life experiences as hidden blessings? How do we reconcile counting the Omer with the care taken not to count people? Behar-Bechukosei In our times, are we all obligated to learn the Inner Torah?  How do we explain the idea that a soul is a “piece” of G-d?  How can we understand and relate to G-d?   Is counting a positive thing? How can a blemished person pray?  How should we react to “observant” Jews harassing Arabs?  How should I deal with religious incompatibility in my marriage?  Why don't we recite the chapter about Manna in our daily prayers? Follow-up

    1h 5m

  8. May 4

    Ep. 589: How Does Lag B’Omer Apply to My Daily Life?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: 16 Iyar  Why don’t we recite the Parsha about Manna every day, as well as the Ten Commandments, like we do the Parsha of the Akeidah, as stated in Shulchan Aruch?  What is the significance of this special day? How could the students of Rabbi Akiva not respect each other to the point of it causing a plague? Why don’t we see such harsh consequences (G-d forbid) due to other acts of disrespect in our times? How did the Mitteler Rebbe celebrate Lag B’Omer? Why was it a day of miracles? How can Lag B’Omer open up channels of connection between parents and children? What is the source that this day is the hilula of Rashbi? Why is the day of Rashbi’s passing a time of joy and celebration? What is the connection with Hod of Hod? Why is Rashbi referred to as Shabbos? What were some of the big secrets Rashbi revealed right before his passing? How could Rashbi have passed away while he was teaching Torah? What is the connection between Lag B’Omer and the gal (mound) that Jacob built to serve as a witness of the boundary between him and Laban? How is that consistent with the verse gal einei, which is a state of open revelation, the opposite of Jacob’s gal that separates and conceals? How does Chassidus explain the difference between Choni HaMaagel and Rashbi causing it to rain? Why did Rashbi hide from the Romans, while the Alter Rebbe allowed himself to be arrested? How could Rashbi have caused fire to consume and destroy? Is Lag B’Omer or Yud Tes Kislev the Rosh Hashana of the Inner Torah? What did the Rebbe mean when he said that Rashbi is at the Ohel? Should I write a pan to the Rebbe or to Rashbi, or both?Chassidus Applied to Lag B’Omer

    1h 5m
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4.9
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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
    394
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rabbi Simon Jacobson
  • Show Website
    MyLife: Chassidus Applied

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