Much buzz was generated by the discussion in last week’s episode about whether our yeshiva system is failing us. Clearly, this topic touches a deep nerve. Which is not surprising: We and our children – our very future – are directly affected by our education system. With many comments and questions pouring in around this issue, Rabbi Jacobson will continue the conversation in this week’s 70th episode of My Life: Chassidus Applied.
“I am a teacher in a yeshiva, and when your essay contest came out I took a personal responsibility to encourage my students to write, and b”H 3/24 of my students submitted essays. However, most of my students were unable to submit anything as they have never been taught how to construct a sentence or paragraph, let alone an essay. Others had no experience in formulating their thoughts into a comprehensible piece even for themselves. Can Tomchei Temimim teach writing skills as a subject, or would that be considered limudei chol? You often mention that one should do rather than complain. I am more than willing to work in my own small way in helping my class. However, in your opinion, should I make it my agenda to push this idea into as many Yeshivos as possible?”
“I take issue with what you said. Chinuch is not like a gemilas chesed organization that we all have a responsibility to help out. From a halachik and moral perspective, the responsibility to give my son or daughter the best possible chinuch I can possibly provide sits squarely on MY shoulders. At what point do I need to consider the klal – or the mosdos the Rabbeim established – at the expense of my own child’s growth?”
Other topics that will be addressed include lashon hara and its place in Chassidus.
“Why is the sefer Shmiras Haloshon not used in Chabad schools as an authority against lashon hara?”
In this episode, Rabbi Jacobson will also provide dating advice, including looking for a prospect outside of one’s community, a baal teshuva’s foray into the shidduch scene and dating younger men. He will also present methods with which one can learn Chassidus passionately, in ways that enable it to transform their being and conversations.
In addition, Rabbi Jacobson will review more essays submitted in the MyLife: Chassidus Applied contest: “On Toleration and Celebration” by Hayyim Rothman, “Powered by G-d” by Shterna Ginsberg, “Am I Being Genuine or Hypocritical?” by Estie Shemtov. These essays and others can be read online at http://meaningfullife.org/mylife/contest/.
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.meaningfullife.com/mylifelive.
The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:
· Chassidus Applied to Shelach
· Repairing the yeshiva system (continued)
· Lashon hara – slanderous talk
· Dating advice
· Outside of the community
· For Baalei Teshuva
· How to learn Chassidus passionately
· MyLife Essays: tolerance, being genuine, the power of G-d.
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, 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. 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 MP3’s for listening on the go.
Questions may be submitted anonymously at www.meaningfullife.com/mylifelive.
Live Video EMBED CODE:
and if the other side does not want to sit down
then what? what are parents left to do?