MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 129, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
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With living on other planets seen as feasible in the foreseeable future, what implications would this have for Torah observance and for Jews? Earth seems to be the place G-d chose for giving the Torah and for us building a dirah b’tachtonim. Do other planets also wait for us to transform them? If yes, how would Torah and Mitzvos be observed there when so many of its laws apply only on Earth (for example, Shabbos and holidays based on solar and lunar cycles, laws pertaining to Israel)?
What is the inherent value of a Jewish burial? Upon death, all souls separate from their bodies and return to their Makers, so why does it matter what we do with the body? Why is cremation a calamity according to Torah?
What does Torah say about owning a pet, specifically if it isn’t a kosher animal?
Rabbi Jacobson will address these relevant yet oft-overlooked issues in this week’s 129th episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied.
Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in this year’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “Coping with Job Loss: Forging Ahead” by Hindy Kalmenson; “The Ultimate Relationship: Selflessness or Assertiveness?” by Itche Zalmanov; “Thinking Positive vs. Thinking Positive” by Abraham Lichter. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays.
And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: In the introduction to the second section of Tanya, called Chinuch Katan (76a), the Alter Rebbe writes: “Between one level and the next, before he can reach the higher one, he is in a state of decline (nefilah) from his previous level.” Can you please explain this? Why must there be a decline before reaching the next level?
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 Re’eh and Rosh Chodesh Elul
· Travel and tefilah b’tzibur
· The significance of a Jewish burial
· What does Torah say about owning a pet?
· Jewish life on Mars
· What is meditation’s place in Judaism?
· What does bi’rabos mean?
· Balancing fun and higher purpose: follow-up
· The importance of a beard: follow-up
· Chassidus Question: What is the meaning of, and why is it necessary to have a nefilah between levels of elevation?
· MyLife Essays: Coping with Job Loss: Forging Ahead. The Ultimate Relationship: Selflessness or Assertiveness? Thinking Positive vs. Thinking Positive
In what has now become a staple in so many people’s lives, 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 and great care has to be taken when speaking openly, 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 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?
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 MP3s for listening on the go.
Questions may be submitted anonymously at meaningfullife.com/mylife
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Live Video:
There may be some halachic issues with owning a pet, but I have seen some issues with not owning any, also. For example it seems that far too many frum people grow up being afraid of even small animals like cats, and small dogs. Although I do see logic in not having pets live in the house with a person. Far too many of those who do, wind up thinking of animals as people, even to the extent of calling them their ‘children’. If you try to convince them they are not actually children, they will respond in a way… Read more »
Just saw Fumme Yidden; we did not know each other. We made up to meet at a designated time and location for Mincha.
Does Rabbi Jacobson have an index of his talks by topic, stating on which episode and time??
To #1: Just goes to show you that people are feeling comfortable turning to this program for their answers to all types of issues, even not directly related to Chassidus.
It’s a major problem when we consider minyan a subject of chasidus rather than of frumkait…