By COLlive reporter
The recent discussion over whether Torah and Chassidus encompass the answers to life’s most pressing questions has propelled one rabbi to take action.
“The recent surge of interest and the outpouring of so many hearts and souls, demonstrates the deep thirst people have today for direction coming from Chassidus,” says Rabbi Simon Jacobson, bestselling author of “Toward a Meaningful Life,” the spiritual road map based on the teachings of the Rebbe.
“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.
“As we stand between Chof Dalet Teves (concluding the bicentennial of the Alter Rebbe’s yahrzeit) and Yud Shevat, what better time is there to create a dialogue between Chassidus and our human condition, by addressing our most pressing challenges with the core ideas of Chassidus.
“As in all matters, every individual should consult their trusted Rabbi and mashpia and follow their guidelines. But above all, we should see the recent events and passionate response of so many as essentially a wake-up call. Many people are in pain and are desperately seeking relief and response to their challenges.
“After over two centuries of mesiras nefesh of the Rebbeim for Chassidus and Chassidim, the time has come,” declared Rabbi Jacobson, “to reclaim the most precious stone of the crown given to us to both prevent problems and to heal from any that come our way.”
“I think we have here a true historic opportunity to rise to the occasion and demonstrate the relevance of chassidus to our lives (and at least, not to sit silent and just be on the defensive),” he told COLlive.com.
To put that into play, Jacobson’s Meaningful Life Center is launching a new webcast series of him addressing anything and everything on your minds and in your hearts—from the perspective of Torah and Chabad Chassidus.
The public is invited to submit questions about any personal issue, spiritual or moral dilemma to the email: [email protected]. All submissions will be kept absolutely confidential, Jacobson says.
After reviewing the questions, he will then respond to them during a live webcast. Any questions left unanswered, as well as future questions submitted, will be addressed in the following episodes of this series.
(As the Crown Heights rabbis ruled in the past, cases of emergency should be immediately directed to the authorities, and when dealing with physical or mental illness, professionals should be sought.)
“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,” Rabbi Jacobson emphasizes.
“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,” says Jacobson, who worked as a ‘choizer’ to transcribe the Rebbe’s teachings.
“We want to show how the Rebbeim provided us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offered 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.”
“Any question is welcome so don’t hold back from asking about your personal life, married life, addiction, anger, jealousy, forgiveness, depression – no holds barred. I also invite questions about the approach of Chassidus to any given issue. We are confident that Chassidus provides a powerful response or antidote to any subject.”
The pilot launch will air live on Sunday, 11 Shevat, January 12, at 8:00-9:00pm Eastern Time on COLlive.com, and will be archived and available afterward to view. There is no charge for viewing or participating.
Rabbi Jacobson, a scholar of the Rebbe’s teachings and a trusted counselor of many, also authored “A Spiritual Guide to Counting the Omer” and “60 Days” and hundreds of articles capturing the hearts and souls of many with the profound and intimate relevance of Torah and Chassidus to our personal lives and relationships.
With his unique combination of a keen and sensitive understanding of the human condition while being firmly grounded in undiluted Chassidus, he applies Jewish thought to psycho-spiritual issues and contemporary life.
Send in your questions and tune in this coming Sunday.
Its an embarrassment and disgrace that this has not gotten its proper attention and respect. After all the controversy of COTS finally someone is taking a stand and trying to help in a positive way and it seems none cares I don’t want to be choshesh Cheshairim but it seems that the col readers are more interested in the shmutz and when it comes to someone actually trying to help the situation none cares I hope i am wrong and i hope that people will actually be involved in this peulah and actually take the right steps to change our… Read more »
Some of our rabonim need a lesson in menchlichkeit too.
Truly ironic how little attention this noble initiative is getting, compared to the pointless drama the whole Shofar thing stirred. Unfortunately, very telling…
actions speak louder than empty rhetoric and lynching. thank you for taking action!.
a response to bullying in the schols please.
who and how does the rabbi help in this respect.
I hope he can, we sorely need respect to each other.
When will ther be actual recognition of bullying as a serious serious mental health issue, an issue that scars many victims for life. PLease will someone answer my call for help
Perhaps this is a chance to express and hear honesty without fear of being chastised, ridiculed, shamed, or blamed. Regardless of what some of the “seasoned” members think, there are many who have experienced hurt and shame, due to a manner of response which is less than understanding and compassionate. It is a wise person who sees a need, realizes that she/he may not know the most effective way to address it, and proceeds with an open and responsible step toward health and satisfaction. Perhaps we are looking at a way to renew our faith in our chosen path.
very much.
dear #4. Reb Simon, Reb Manis, Reb Yoel etc., no?
this is a great response to cots!
thank you!!
Many dont know this, but we have a crown jewel in our midst, right here in nyc, an individual who has the talant and ability to bridge the gaps of the secular and the religious, to bring chassidim closer to chassidus, through authentic chassidic psychology… They call him simon jacobson, he’s been doing this for most of his life and is marching on while a holy fire burns from within, despite all the diffeculties he has encountered throughout… The question is, now that we know his name, and that such a person exists, what are we going to do to… Read more »
Can you arrange with Rabbi Jacobson that (some) questions posted in the comments should be answered?
It will bring in much more questions, I believe and most importantly give a wider and better image of what matters are more asked about. no?
In my humble opinion this is the most wonderful, relevant, healthy, long-awaited, plan I have ever read about in our community. I hope R’ Jacobson helps us to take some of our difficult issues to a level of renewed health and faith in ourselves and each other.
Wow – How can we thank you?
It’s a great step in the right direction to provide this for our community – instead of focusing so much effort on influencing the world, we need to be strong within first. I urge everyone to participate!
Very nice offer.
Thank you!
When are we going to have an affordable retreat with Simi, YYJ, Manis, yoel, leibel altein, and rabbonim for practical halacha???
Dear Rabbi Jacobson,
Thank You So So Much!!
This is a generation that has many questions, issues and problems, and though we BELIEVE that the Torah provides the answers; there are too few teachers who really “get us”, or understand where we’re coming from, or even speak our language. Rabbi Jacobson will hopefully be able to SHOW us the full value of the treasure we have called chassidus.
Once Again,
Thanks Simon
Thank you Simon Jacobson for being a leader. In this time of need where we see the younger generation are lost and thirsty, and the old style of teaching chassidus for whatever reason is not working for us. It is encouraging and refreshing to see that someone is willing to step up to the plate and teach chassidus in the language that the younger generation needs to hear it. Educated, open-minded and in a modern toungue(whether you like it or not old folks and current mashpiim. This is the reality, people are not connecting to the way chassidus is being… Read more »
Finally, bringing Chassidus to the table… And by a powerhouse. After all the rhetoric for and against — it’s about time that someone is filling the void, with none other than the great gift of Chassidus itself.
Thank you R’ Jacobson for rising to the occasion in this time of need.