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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. APR 27

    Ep. 588: What Is the Best Response to Adversity and Hatred? Lessons From This Omer Period

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Chassidus Applied to this Omer period  How does refinement of our characters reflect the unique power of being a Jew? What is the best response to adversity and hatred?  How do you celebrate the beauty of your soul while recognizing the despicable toxins of your selfish body? Lessons from Tanya chapter 31. How do we apply Netzach, this week’s sefirah/midah, to today’s challenges? Why don’t we listen to music during this period? What is the connection between refining our character traits with the Omer barley offering? What lessons do we learn from the R’ Yisroel Aryeh Leib’s 74th yahrzeit? What did the Rebbe say after he stood up from Shiva in 1952? What does his name indicate? What does this day teach us? Does it have any specific application to current events?  What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha?  Why does the Torah seemingly discriminate against handicapped priests? Sharing a personal miracle in my family Is it legitimate? Should we rely solely on Torah and Chassidus and not turn to other methods? 13 Iyar Pesach Sheni Emor Praising G-d for miracles Is it appropriate to wear patches with an image of the third temple? follow-up How should we react to the pope’s critique?  The Emotion Code Is every sicha of the Rebbe relevant to us? How do you determine what can or cannot be changed in Torah?

    1h 7m

  5. APR 19

    Ep. 587: Beis Iyar: How Do We Apply L’Chatchila Ariber in Our Lives?

    Beis Iyar • How do we apply l’chatchila ariber in our lives? 01:30Acharei-Kedoshim • What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? 13:04 • Is there a connection between these two chapters? 19:20 • How do I sanctify my life? 17:40 • What was wrong with Nadav and Avihu’s behavior? 19:28Tazria-Metzora • What is the relevance of the spiritual maladies in these Torah portions to our times? 24:10 • How does one find mental, emotional and psychological healing? 24:10 • Is there a connection between Mitzrayim and Metzora? 27:15Iyar • Does Ani Hashem Rofecho include all forms of healing? 29:20Omer • What maamar would you suggest we learn that explains Sefiras Ha’Omer? 37:25 • Why do we need to refine our emotions every year when the Jews already did that before receiving the Torah? 39:55 • Why do we only refine our emotional midos and not our intellectual midos? 42:23 • How do we understand chesed within chesed, gevurah within gevurah etc.? 45:24 • Is it inappropriate to use a phone app to remind us to count sefira? 47:38 • Why is it customary to study Mesechta Sotah during sefira? 49:28Post Pesach and Iran • What lessons can we learn from this time period regarding world events? 52:58 • What is expected of us during these days? 52:58 • Why did G-d not protect the young soldier killed in Lebanon before Pesach? 57:59Chof Ches Nissan – 35 years later • What is a summary and explanation of the Rebbe’s famous 28 Nissan sicha? 01:00:43 • Is there a connection between that sicha and that of Purim 5747? 01:03:55 • How did the Rebbe explain his words in a “straightforward way” in the farbrengen of Shabbos Tazria-Metzora 5751? 01:05:30 • Has anything changed since the Rebbe’s talk 35 years ago? 01:06:05 • If we are closer than ever to the geulah, why does the world situation and the anxiety caused by it seem to be getting worse rather than better? 01:06:05 • What should we be doing now, 35 years after 28 Nissan 5751? 01:07:25

    1h 10m

  6. APR 14

    Ep. 586: How Do We Honor the Rebbe’s Birthday?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Alef Nissan  Pesach  Do we say Gut Yom Tov today? How do we honor the Rebbe’s birthday? What is the single most important thing each of us should do on this special day? How did the Rebbe celebrate his birthday? What were the events that led to the things done for Yud Alef Nissan 5742 – eighty years? What is the significance of the number eleven? Is it significant that “peace in Israel” are the last words in Tehillim chapter 125, which we begin reciting today? Do some people receive answers from the Rebbe more than others?   Miracles and Iran Seder  What is the relevance of the war in Iran to Pesach? What's the underlying message of Pesach? What does it truly mean to be free?  How is the energy of Nissan and Pesach different than that of ani l’dodi v’dodi li of Elul and Tishrei? Do I have to observe the holiday if I am experiencing financial difficulties, which cause stress and anxiety, antithetical to the theme of Passover? Why is Passover celebrated on the day the exodus happened, unlike Purim and Chanukah which are celebrated the day after the miracles happened?   Why do we celebrate it every year? Why does Passover have three names? What can we learn from the great miracle of Shabbos HaGadol and the other miracles of the time about today’s miracles? How do we reconcile Chizkiyahu being criticized for not praising G-d's for His miracles with the ruling that one should not say Hallel every day – how do we find the right balance of acknowledging miracles in our lives? What can each of us do physically and spiritually to help protect all the innocent people and bring victory in the war against Iran? As an American who moved to Israel I am bemused by people questioning the safety of living here. How do we resolve a major conflict between husband and wife of how extreme we should be with our Pesach cleaning? Can you please share some memories of the Rebbe visiting different public Seders in Crown Heights? Why did he do so? Why did the Rebbe ask an artist to illustrate a special edition of the Haggadah for children?

    1h 11m

  7. MAR 27

    Ep. 585: How Do Pesach and Mitzrayim Reveal the Inside Story of the Current War Against Iran?

    Topics: Nissan, Miracles and Iran What can we expect in this month of Nissan, a month of miracles and redemption? 06:57Are there parallels between the redemption from Egypt and today’s battles? 04:50How do Pesach and Mitzrayim reveal the inside story of history in general, and specifically the current war against Iran? 22:35What is the connection to the month of Nissan? 12:30What is the meaning of a miracle? 07:12How victory over Iran – and today’s miracles – will bring to conclusion events that began with Abraham and Egypt over 3300 years ago? 12:40What will the Middle East and the world look like with the elimination of Iran as a threat? 18:30How can today’s events help us bring our Pesach Seder alive? 22:30Can we see the Strait of Hormuz as a modern version of mitzrayim, as in dire straits? 25:08How today’s war needs to be fought in our personal lives in microcosm? 30:00War in Iran How should we be reacting to the current war? 32:58What responsibility do we carry in this time? 37:25What should be our response to the ongoing attacks on Israel? 37:25Is Israel still the safest place? 39:43How can we say that when we see the danger and deaths wrought by Iranian missiles? 39:43Can we apply the Rebbe’s words about the Gulf War to today’s events? 44:35Why is today’s war an unprecedented historic opportunity for the nations of the world? 45:40How should we respond to the antisemitic argument that Israel dragged the USA into this war? 45:40Did the Rebbe predict the fall of Iraq and asked not to publicize the details? 47:57What did the Rebbe say about ar’enu niflaos? 49:42Should we learn from Chezkiyahu and praise G-d for today’s miracles? 51:55Should we be celebrating the miracles of G-d's protection by dancing in the streets? 54:27With most Jews now living in Eretz Yisroel, are we witnessing kibbutz goliyos? 55:31Shabbos HaGadol-Passover Why will we remember the Egyptian Exodus after the final redemption? 56:37Why are we required to remember the days (plural) that we left Egypt, when we left in one day? 57:57What lessons does that teach us in today’s battles? 59:55MyLife: Chassidus Applied is a weekly video webcast that candidly answers questions from the public about all life matters and challenges, covering the entire spectrum of the human experience. The program's objective is to provide people with inspired guidance and direction, empowering them to deal with any issue they may face. MyLife demonstrates how Chassidus 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. MyLife is a community-supported project, requiring hours of research and preparation each week. Please donate or sponsor an episode, to help us continue and expand this important work. Go here and here for our special section of programs and resources addressing these trying and unprecedented times

    1h 4m

  8. MAR 10

    Ep. 584: War in Iran: How Can We Envision These Battles Leading Us Into the Geulah?

    Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: War in Iran  Should we be supporting this war? How do we determine when war is just? How do we understand the deeper cosmic battle between Rome (the Western World) and Persia (the Arab/Muslim World) How can we envision these battles leading us into the Geulah?  How should we react to antisemitic and anti-Chabad rhetoric by media personalities? Is there anything positive that we can learn from this? Is it appropriate to wear patches with an image of the third temple? Do we continue increasing in joy throughout the entire month? How does joy empower us in challenging times? Is there a connection between the good mazal of joy and the Torah portions discussing the building of the Mishkan? What is the significance of building a sanctuary? How do we apply it to our lives today? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha? Why does the Torah repeat the details of building the mishkan? Adar Vayakhel-Pikudei Can brochos come to someone diagnosed with clinical depression beyond their control? How would you react to a “zealot” smashing a snowman that children built with the claim that it is an “idol”?

    1h 8m
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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
    389
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rabbi Simon Jacobson
  • Show Website
    MyLife: Chassidus Applied

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