Should a Woman Be Breadwinner?

After sitting at the Seder, I realized that I have a fifth question. Why are two of the four questions we encourage children to ask not answered in the Haggadah? Isn’t it strange that the entire Seder is fashioned to engage children and provoke their curiosity, yet not all their questions are answered? Aren’t we leaving a lot of children confused?

Does Judaism invite challenges and skepticism or does it mandate mere acceptance? Am I being a heretic by questioning? Am I being a coward by submitting? And, if we’re to blend the two, where is the balance between challenging and accepting?

My child, although friendly and personable, seems to prefer to be on her own. She doesn’t want to hang out with friends in her spare time like most teenagers. She seems to like her solitude. Is this indicative of a potential issue? Is it possible that she genuinely doesn’t need friends like others do? How can I determine? And how do I encourage her to get out and socialize?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 113 with Rabbi Simon Jacobson also reviews the following winning essays of 2016’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “Success Within Reach: Life Changing Chassidic Tools” by Nechama Dina Hendel, “Oros B’Keilim – The Secret to Healthy Relationships” by Chaim Heber, “The Soul: A Source of Inherent Self Worth” by Shaul Wolf, and “The Man of Faith is Lonely No More” by Levi Liberow. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays.

And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: Chassidus discusses the period of Sefiras Haomer as a time of Birur Hamidos – refining our emotions and character traits. Is this referring to the midos of our Nefesh Elokis or our Nefesh HaBahamis? Does it refer to our service bein adam lamakom (between man and G-d) or bein adam lechavero (man and man)? Can you explain in more practical terms how this can be applied?

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 meaningfullife.com/mylife.

The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:

* Chassidus Applied to post-Pesach, Acharei and Mevarchim Iyar
* How do I maintain my ‘holiday high’?
* Skepticism: Does Judaism encourage or discourage questions?
* Why do two of the four questions remain unanswered in the Haggadah?
* When, if ever, is a woman supposed to be the financial provider for her home?
* Is it possible that my child doesn’t need friends?
* I need help prioritizing on Shabbas Mevarchim
* Rebbe – follow up
* Emunah/Bitachon – feedback
* Chassidus Question: What specific midos/emotional faculties are we referring to in the refinement process (birur hamidos) of Sefiras Haomer?
* MyLife Essays: Success Within Reach: Life Changing Chassidic Tools, Oros Bikeilim- The Secret to Healthy Relationships, The Soul: A Source of Inherent Self Worth, The Man of Faith is Lonely No More.

VIDEO:

All episodes are immediately available for viewing in the MLC’s archive and can be downloaded as MP3s for listening on the go. Questions may be submitted anonymously at meaningfullife.com/mylife.