Launching the 3rd Annual MyLife Essay Contest! Lessons from Chof Daled Teves; Do Menial Details Matter? Why is Unity So Powerful? What to Do When Someone You Respect Turns out to Be a Violator?
MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 147, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
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This Chof Daled Teves episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied marks the third anniversary of the MyLife program and will be honored by the launch of the third MyLife essay contest 5777. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate by submitting an original essay applying an idea in Chassidus to address a contemporary life issue or challenge. For contest rules and to submit your essay, visit www.meaningfullife.com/contest.
As we commemorate the 204th anniversary since the passing of the Alter Rebbe, what lessons and empowerment can be drawn from Chod Daled Teves?
What to do when someone you respect turns out to be a violator?
Is it true that G-d is in the details? We are taught that every small detail matters in halacha. Every fine point down to the tiniest nuance is necessary to create a comfortable home for G-d in this world. But, why? Are there no details that are superfluous? What about the really minute details like putting our right shoe on first or giving tzedakah with our right hand? Do these seemingly menial instructions really matter to the bigger picture?
The Rebbe speaks extensively about the power of unity, and the impact uniting Jews has on a cosmic level. Can you please shed some light on this concept?
According to Torah and Chassidus, how are we to educate our boys about their growing attraction towards the opposite gender? What can a parent do to help their children have a healthy and normal outlook on sexuality?
These are among the relevant issues Rabbi Jacobson will address in this week’s 147th episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied. In addition, he will share the passionate feedback received to last week’s topic about the Torah’s view of women.
Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in this year’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “A Journey of a Prince” by Yossi Fischer, “Of Mountains and Valleys” by Schneur Zalman Rabin, and “Folly: The Illness and the Cure” by Rivka Elkaim. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays-2016.
And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: What is the role and implications of Reshimu? Part II
This hour-long dose of insights is meant to inform, inspire and empower us by applying the teachings of Chassidus to help us face practical and emotional challenges and difficulties in our personal lives and relationships. To have your question addressed, please submit it at meaningfullife.com/mylife.
The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:
· Chassidus Applied to Chof Daled Teves
· Launching the MyLife Essay Contest 2017
· What are the effects of unity?
· Do menial things have any real significance?
· What is the Rebbe’s position on public policy?
· How should we deal with accused abusers?
· I was positively influenced by someone who turned out to be a violator. How do I deal with that?
· How can I effectively talk to my son about his natural attraction to the opposite gender?
· Women in Torah: follow-up
· Chassidus Question: Understanding Reshimu: Part II
· MyLife Essays: A Journey of a Prince, Of Mountains and Valleys, Folly: The Illness and the Cure
In what has now become a staple in so many people’s lives, MyLife: Chassidus Applied addresses questions that many people are afraid to ask and others are afraid to answer. When asked about the sensitive topics he has been addressing, Rabbi Simon Jacobson commented, “I understand that the stakes are high and great care has to be taken when speaking openly, but the silence and lack of clarity on matters plaguing the community can no longer go unaddressed. The stakes of not providing answers are even higher.”
The on-going series has provoked a significant reaction from the community, with thousands of people viewing each live broadcast and hundreds of questions pouring in week after week. At the root of every question and personal challenge tackled by the series is the overarching question: Does Judaism have the answers to my personal dilemmas?
In inimitable “Jacobson-fashion”, the broadcast answers people’s questions in simple, clear language while being heavily sourced. Each episode is jam-packed with eye-opening advice from the Rebbeim, gleaned from uncovering surprising gems in their letters, sichos and maamorim that address our personal issues with disarming relevance. Simultaneously, Rabbi Jacobson is able to crystallize a concept quickly, succinctly, and poignantly for any level of listener.
All episodes are immediately available for viewing in the MLC’s archive and can be downloaded as MP3s for listening on the go.
Questions may be submitted anonymously at meaningfullife.com/mylife
Live Video:
I listened to R’ Jacobson’s explanation of the Kabbalistic/Chassidic concept of “reshimu,” and was surprisingly amazed at how it was presented with such clarity and relevance. Really powerful.
I now see that each week there is a section called the Chassidus question of the week. I would suggest creating a special section just with these questions and answers, as a guide for learning and teaching chassidus.
I have never heard esoteric concepts presented so practically.