Advice to the Judgmental

Why is the last day of Chanukah referred to as “Zos Chanukah”? How does Chassidus explain this special day, and how do we apply it to our lives? What lessons do we learn from Hei Teves?

“I can’t help being judgmental, especially when I go to shul and see people not behaving as one should in this holy setting. I am sure that harboring these feelings is wrong, but my feelings are substantiated by halacha and proper shul etiquette. Advice please.”

Rabbi Jacobson will address these issues, and read a never before publicized letter from the Rebbe about the attitude one should have when seeing someone coming to shul to complete a minyan and reading a newspaper there.

Other topic to be addressed in this MyLife Episode 94 include, how a couple should decide where to live, how to resolve differences between spouses in this regard, and what role do parents and their interests play in this decision? For example, if the parents of both spouses live in different countries, and each spouse wants to move to the country of his/her parents, how should they decide? How does ‘kibud av v’eim’ apply to this?

Additionally, Rabbi Jacobson will continue the discussing Meshichism, by addressing the passionate comments which continue pouring in. He will also follow-up on a number of previously discussed issues: anxiety; was the Rebbe Rashab influenced by Freud? and mimicking the Rebbe.

Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in the MyLife: Chassidus Applied contest: “Practical Steps for Staying Connected” by Yisroel Joran; “My Actions” by Mordechai Wilshinsky; “Conquering Apathy” by Yirmiyahu Harrison. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays.

And finally, the Chassidus question of the week will be a continuation from episode 93 about understanding and applying the tzimtzum to our lives: Can you explain the difference between the two opinions in interpreting the tzimtzum – literally or not literally, tzimtzum k’pshuto or not k’pshuto. I’ve also heard that the Rebbe revolutionized the approach in Chassidus to understanding tzimtzum and perpetual creation, by saying that G-d, Who is kol yochol (omnipotent), could have created existence via tzimtzum k’pshuto (G-dliness being literally removed from our reality) and in way that the universe did not need to be renewed perpetually (hischadshus b’chol regah v’regah). Indeed, this perspective, held by a number of great sages, seems more logical. The reason that the Alter Rebbe writes otherwise is only due to the fact that Alter Rebbe received from his teachers that the tzimtzum is not k’pshuto and that creation is perpetually renewed, which compelled the Alter Rebbe to explain the concepts in logical terms. Can you elaborate on this and how this idea developed in the Rebbe’s teachings?

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 www.appliedchassidus.com.

The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:
Chassidus Applied to Zos Chanukah and Hei Teves
Rebbe’s advice to the judgmental
How to look at a Jew who reads a newspaper in shul
Deciding where to live and the role that honoring parents plays in such decisions
Did Freud have an influence on the Rebbe Rashab?
Anxiety (follow-up)
Messianism (follow-up)
Mimicking the Rebbe (follow-up)
Chassidus Question: Tzimtzum K’pshuto and Perpetual Creation Part II
MyLife Essays: Practical Steps for Staying Connected, My Actions, Conquering Apathy

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?

Questions may be submitted anonymously at www.appliedchassidus.com.

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