How Should We Approach Obstacles in Our Lives

Applied Chassidus with Rabbi Simon Jacobson: How Should We Approach Obstacles in Our Lives – As a Challenge to Overcome or a Sign That We Should Change Course? What Is the Difference Between Frivolous and “Holy” Humor? Video

March 16, 2025 – 16 Adar 5785

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 537, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
Sunday, March 16, 2025 / 16 Adar 5785 – 8:00-9:00PM ET

Podcast YouTube Chassidusapplied.com

The topics in this week’s 537^th episode of the highly acclaimed MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, will include:

Triple Purim (Meshulash) in Jerusalem

Adar

How can joy increase after Purim?
Is there a connection between joy and Purim and the sign of Pisces/fish of the month of Adar?
How does joy reveal inner dimensions and secrets?

Purim

What does Purim teach us about today’s wars with our enemies?
Why did Mordechai not bow to Haman (follow-up)?
Why do the sages interpret that Esther was married to Mordechai (follow-up)?
Why do we commemorate the Fast of Esther the day before Purim when the actual 3-day fast was in Nissan eleven months earlier?
Is humor and light-heartedness allowed at other times, or only on Purim?
Why don’t we find humor in the written Torah? (follow-up)
Will Moshiach have a sense of humor, or will that time be strictly serious?
Are we allowed to make fun of the Purim villains?
What is the difference between frivolous and “holy” humor?

Vayakhel

What is the central theme of this week’s Torah chapter?
What personal and global lessons does it offer us for our times?
What do we learn from the Jews donating for the Mishkan more than was needed?

What is the significance of the four Torah chapters read during this time of year?

War in Israel

Should we be working toward transforming our enemies and not just annihilating them?

Can you offer any advice on how to serve as a shliach in a secular school for autistic children?

How should we approach obstacles in our lives – as a challenge to overcome or a sign that we should change course?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied is a weekly video webcast candidly answering questions from the public about all life matters and challenges, covering the entire spectrum of human experience.

This hour-long dose of insights, broadcast live every Sunday night 8-9PM ET, is meant to provide people with inspired guidance and direction, empowering them to deal with any issue they may face.

In what has become a staple in so many people’s lives, MyLife: Chassidus Applied 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?

MyLife demonstrates how Chassidus provides us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offers us all the guidance we need to live the healthiest possible life and build nurturing homes and families, bringing up the healthiest possible children, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. MyLife is brought to you by the Meaningful Life Center as a public service, free of charge.

Questions may be submitted anonymously at chassidusapplied.com/ask.

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