Hope Amidst the Highest Flames

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 77, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

NEW: MyLife is now available as a podcast and can be streamed or downloaded from iTunes.

When the flames rose to their highest, Moshiach was born. This is how the closing hours of Tisha B’Av are described. Ostensibly, the 9th of Av is the darkest day of the year. Chassidus however uncovers the soul of this day, revealing its enormous energy and how it contains the seeds to be the brightest day of the year. To better understand this powerful idea and tap into the final potent moments of Tisha B’Av, tune in this Sunday at 8-9pm EST to the live broadcast of MyLife Chassidus Applied with Rabbi Simon Jacobson. Discover how the paradox of the 9th of Av – and its aftermath – offers us the original and ultimate healing system; a 1947 year old time-tested system that teaches us how to grow through loss, build after destruction, and thrive despite any wound or trauma.

Staying positive when the going gets tough sounds great in theory, but implementing it in times of crisis is very difficult. However, Chassidus shows that a positive attitude is the most important element in getting through a challenge. “I’m going through difficult times and it’s really devastating me. I see that others with similar challenges are able to manage and even thrive. Which gets me thinking; how much of a role does attitude play in resolving issues as opposed to the issues themselves?”

“While we shluchim are accomplishing many great things, especially lately with young adults, I feel saddened that there are so many teens and college students that are not being reached. As a shliach in my town I feel frustrated that I’m not doing enough to reach many more Jews locally who need it. I’m a father of 5 children KAH so that really holds me back from doing much more. Would the Rebbe be happy with our work?”
In this week’s episode, Rabbi Jacobson will continue some of the discussions of Episode 76, addressing the many responses and suggestions we received about homeschooling and laziness and procrastination, including advice someone received from the Rebbe in yechidus.

Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in the MyLife: Chassidus Applied contest: “Identity and Chassidus” by Chana Rose, “Zero Tolerance for Bullying!” by Sarah Rabiski, “Keeping Your Head Above Water” by Avraham Hendel. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/mylife/contest/.

And finally, here is the Chassidus question of the week (our new feature): In various places, Chassidus cites two opinions among Kabbalists whether the oros (energies) are shaped (metzuyorim) or shapeless (bilti metzuyorim). What is the practical difference between the two opinions, and what is Chassidus’ conclusion on the matter – according to which opinion does Chassidus rule?

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/mylife.

The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:
Chassidus Applied to Tisha B’Av
The original and ultimate healing system: 15th of Av and Shabbos Nachamu
A shliach’s frustration: Are we doing enough?
The power of attitude
Laziness (follow-up)
Homeschooling (follow-up)
Chassidus question: Are ‘oros’ (energies) shaped or shapeless?
MyLife Essays: Identity, Bullying, Keep your head above water

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.

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