By COLlive reporter
Hundreds of questions poured in, on a variety of topics and from many locations, after COLlive.com announced the establishment of a webcast to answer the personal and emotional needs of the Chabad community.
“MyLife: Chassidus Applied” will be hosted by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, bestselling author of “Toward a Meaningful Life,” the spiritual road map based on the teachings of the Rebbe.
It comes on the heels of a heated internal debate in Chabad over the relevancy of Chassidus in modern-day life and the permissible paths one should pursue when doubts arise.
“The Rebbeim bestowed us with all the answers to our personal dilemmas, as the Alter Rebbe writes in his introduction to Tanya. Yet, with many people hurting today, there is clearly a deep emotional dissonance between these teachings and their life struggles,” he says.
Jacobson, a scholar of the Rebbe’s teachings and a trusted counselor, authored “A Spiritual Guide to Counting the Omer” and “60 Days” and articles capturing the hearts and souls of many with the profound and intimate relevance of Torah and Chassidus to our personal lives and relationships.
The public was invited last week to submit questions about any personal issue, spiritual or moral dilemma to Jacobson’s Meaningful Life Center at [email protected]. All submissions will be kept absolutely confidential, he said.
The hour-long webcast will be broadcast tonight, Sunday, 11 Shevat – January 12, on COLlive at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. There will be no charge.
Jacobson noted that “by no means can or should an hour webcast (or even many hours) serve as a comprehensive solution to life challenges. Many issues, especially serious ones, require personal, one-on-one customized intervention. What we want to do is demonstrate the relevance of Chassidus to our personal lives, and to open up a candid conversation about these matters.”
LIVE VIDEO:
A few Chabad women in our community have decided to actually learn “what is chassidus”, Due to weather issues, etc. there are days we cannot meet and your available internet discussion is extremely helpful on those days as well as all days.. Thank you for giving us these opportunities. I considered it necessary to make a point to #60 that my opinion is that Chassidus is the ultimate way to affirm our individuality.
looking forward to more… was touched by the closing sentence… May the Rebbe be proud!
Again, you have only established that according to chasidus the individual has “value.” Certainly Torah – as well as every other religion on earth – affirms the “value” of the individual as God’s creation. Nobody needs chasidus for that.
The question that has not been answered is whether chasidus affirms the importance of the person’s INDIVIDUALITY – placing importance on the person coming to understand and cultivate their own unique talents and interests and personality, WITHOUT it being justified by a completely spiritual application “for the cause.”
Beautifully stated. This captures the uniqueness of Chassidus in contrast to other approaches (as so eloquently explained by Reb Simon in this session): No dispensable entity can provide indispensable value to anyone. Ultimate and absolute individuality can only come from a “place” that itself is absolutely “individualistic” and not dependent on anything. The human “self” (yesh ha’nivra) comes from the Divine “Self” (Yesh Ha’Amiti). See Iggeret HaKodesh 20. Rabbi Jacobson write a powerful article about this chiddush of the Alter Rebbe, titled How the Alter Rebbe Changed the World. We need people like Rabbi Jacobson to lead workshops and farbrengens… Read more »
Can ppl view this anytime? If so, where? how? TY Reb Simon and TY collive. Many are hoping the next broadcast will be carried here again. PLZ let us know. Tizku lmitzvos.
So what exactly do you suggest is the answer to the problem: What will foster the self? And if not G-d what will give the “self” absolute and indispensable value in a world of 7 billion people, and trillions upon trillions of organisms?
The issue being addressed was about individuality and fostering one’s self rather than becoming lost, or obliterated, in “the cause.” Pointing to the fact that we are all created in God’s image does not answer the problem.
Hashem Loves us, otherwise he would have got rid of us Chas vesholom a long time ago. To answer your question (although I am not Rabbi Jacobson). Hashem relates to us in two ways. Like a father and like a king. When he is like a king and we are like his subjects then yes we are an entity for him to be the king, ein melech beloy um, and in that sense we are batel for the higher cause. But then he is also like our father. This is where he loves us for whom we are no matter… Read more »
Rabbi Jacobson, you claim that the very fact that God created us — and in His image, no less — proves His great love for us, and the value of our individual worth.
But doesn’t chasidus explain that the purpose of our being Created is so that we will be “batel” to Him and the organized religion – Chabad institution – that supposedly establishes His will on earth?
You spin this as “individuality”, but it seems to be no more than more quashing of individuality? It seems like patronizing…
Who ever organized this thank u and Rabbi Jacobson I thank Hashem for sending you as a messenger/shliach and inspire all those you do. thank you!
.דברים היוצאים מן הלב נכנסין אל הלב
How can we submit inquiries anonymously? Is there an address we can mail letters to?
“ani nivraysi lishamesh es konih ” the world isnt for me , its for hashem – rebess sichos
Rabbi J. is a true chosid of the Rebbe. G-d Al-mighty bless him with good health and long years to continue distributing chasidus far and wide, so far and wide to reach even CH, vhile lebben yam is truken.
I also agree that Rabbi J. should slow down, since not everybody’s brain is zooming as fast as his, and people are happy to hear and take the time to listen….
… that Rabbi Jacobson’s organization is in need of funds. For anyone who would like to donate (which should include anyone who feels they benefitted from this video), the web address is http://www.meaningfullife.com. Don’t feel like it’s not worth bothering because the amount you can afford is small, ha-mayseh hu ha-ikur.
Thank u!!!
Thanks for the time you put in to this ,eventhough you could be learning and doing things that help yourself,being a great lamden,youre helping others,may you be blessed
Sounds much better then the call of steve
Excellent first session and looking forward for the next one!!!
Thank You Rabbi
“ani nivraysi lishamesh es konih ” the world isnt for me , its for hashem – rebess sichos
I Matter because i was created by Hashem, in Hashems image, it dosent matter what my passed is, my parents are also humans trying to perfect themselves.
I have to call my mother and thank her.
We are experiencing a historical moment. Chassidus receiving the prominence it deserves — finally. In years from now we will look back at this watershed moment, and see how one man, Rabbi Jacobson, responded to the call, which will hopefully inspire others to do the same. Rabbi Simon Jacobson deserves for this the ultimate recognition. I now understand why the Rebbe trusted him so with his sichos (something that some of us wondered about years ago). He is living up to being the Rebbe’s chozer and maniyach. No doubt that is why is he is able to do what he… Read more »
Can also listen to it repeatedly and print it so others can benefit
To no 33 who feels the answers are vague, start learning Tanya in depth and you will receive the answers.
Our life journey is called Avoida for a reason.
It was really inspiring and I really appreciate your work! It really is helping me understand how chasiduss is really a guide to our life! Much bracha to you and your family!
truly using technology- kol hamoni sheb’romi for – lichshe’yofutzu maayenosecho chutzo. Thank you. May you be blessed. hope this continues! Moshiach Now!
Is there any way to have this lecture out into a written article-I would love to review the main points as well as there sources?
Would be greatly appreciated…
מים קרים על נפש עיפה!
א מחי׳ה!
Your a treasure
You take INITIATIVE where others sigh…
כל הכבוד
שירבו כמוך בחב”ד…
who found the answers vague and not really answering anything specific?
This was great, thank you very much. I agree with #1, these videos should be permanently available for repeat watching.
Much gratitude for VOLUNTEERING of your time to help your fellow Chassidim.
ילכו מחיל אל חיל
Thank you. If we all reflect a little (which most of don’t take the time of day) we already know all this(if you’ve learned basic chassidus). Thank you for putting it all in context. Since the first time I was taught Tanya in 9th grade, I always felt that it was entirely relevant and speaking about ME. I have never felt that it was ‘other wordly’ and when I read Tanya I feel as if the Alter Rebbe is beseeching us all to see this plainly- it IS a gift to us. I don’t know what I would do or… Read more »
Very insitfull. Very nice to see someone to take positive action.
Its easy to knock a situation but do nothing about it, but for someone to get up and pledge to actually do something about it is amazing. Masee hu haikur. Thank you.
So necessary in todays day and age to understand chassidus from this perspective. This will surely help bring Moshiach and a love of learning Chassidus.
Wonderful new series. So blessed to have Simon in our community.
I though that he was more open minded and would have supported shofar. If even he is against it and says that chasidus has the answers, I think hes right. I thik rabbi simon has more credentials then those rabbis.
I listened to the second half live and hope to listen to first half soon and I’ve never felt so passionately about yiddishkeit and chassidishkeit like I do now. Thank u so much!
This is SOO refreshing!!
Yasher Koach!
Please continue this ad bias Moshiach!
Thank you Rabbi Jacobson. I will continue listening for as many weeks as you do this. I am not only waiting and looking forward to hear the answer to the question I submitted but have learned tonight that I’m needing to hear the answers to many more questions. Because while I listened to you speak I saw how much I really need to learn. Please keep this up. Huge huge huge THANK U to COL – how grateful we are to you for carrying this live. This is an example of our community coming together – NOT breaking apart –… Read more »
There are no other people like Rabbi Jacobson, he is unique. What I think is, different Rabbis express themselves in ways that different people are attuned to. Clearly, many are attuned to Rabbi Jacobson’s manner of expression. We are fortunate to have him in our midst. And it’s a huge thing he’s doing, stepping forward to fill a space he is uniquely suited to fill. Zoll der Aibershter ehm bentshen mit langeh gezunteh yoren.
Sorry for being the 1st to criticize but please speak a little slower and focus on one issue with a little more ellaboration. One issue of addiction, I believe, did not have sufficient elaboration.
Thank you for coming up to the plate!
I much appreciate your time and feel a renewed hope in Chassidus and in life based on some of the things you outlined.
I’m grateful.
Simon,
You were always good but this is above it all. Thanks for giving of your time. I know you as a friend and I’m moved by how you really care about the issues people have and are making yourself available. You have plenty to fill your time without this added to your plate. Furthermore, it’s clear that this is not about you teaching but all about the people receiving. Your payment should come Miyado Hamelaiah, hakedusha V’hagedusha..
Thank you! Clear and well articulated!
Wish all of Chabad would take their Chassidus as seriously as he does… R’ Jacobson is Mamash a living example of everything he says. He’s an amazingly honest and spiritual person because of it, and he enriches the lives of MANY!!! its an honor and priviledge to have him in our midst.
Your distribution of chasidut is actually fulfilling the Rebbe’s promise and prophecy that all we have do is open our eyes. You are opening our eyes to our own personal redemptions through chasidut. What a Zechus for you and a gift to us. You are a living breathing soldier of the Rebbe and you surely make him proud. May all mashpiim follow suit. And may this endeavor lead to even more intimate contact between our dear anash mashpiim and the masses.
inspiring!
That was so inspiring! I greatly look forward to your next sessions. Really great.
Yashar Koach, Fantastic!!!!
This was so awesome. Finally a positive voice to fill the void here in the community. Loved every moment of it. Cant wait for the future weeks.
I just tuned in at the end, Rabbi Jacobson. Is it possible to see it now?
Really good, thanks so much. Please do this each week.
well done, I think it has great potential, can more people like
Rabbi Jacobson donate their time to give similar sessions
to be broadcast
Complete genius, loved every second of it! Thank you!
Very good !!
Amazing! Yasher Koach & thank you for doing this!
Thank You So Much
Mamish a Mechayeh!
Extremely articulate.
Rabbi Jacobson brought Chassidus down so the simple person could understand what the Rebbeim wanted us to know.
This lecture series MUST continue. Thank you COL!
Rabbi Jacobson, I want to embrace you and shower you with gratitude for doing this and for touching my core. Please make sure all these sessions are easily accessible permanently. I want to relisten to this again and again. Rabbi, you are the best!!!