What About Being a Mentch?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 54

Yiddishe, Chassidishe nachas are what every parent yearns for – but what is the source of our nachas? Do we put an equal stress on being a mentch as we do on learning, say, Tanya ba’al peh and answering parsha sheets? Are the schools responsible for instilling manners and values of respect, or does that solely come from the home? Do our children have an issue with “chutzpah” and how can we respond by instilling mentchlichkeit in our children?

Emotional neglect is a very personal experience; however it ends up affecting a lot more than the person traumatized. How can a victim of neglect heal and strengthen themselves in order to personally thrive and be a pillar for those who depend on them – family and loved ones?

In episode 54, Rabbi Jacobson will also present a letter from the Rebbe suggesting the writing of essays by students about the Frierdiker Rebbe and his work. Additionally, he will discuss: How to deal with hate between two siblings? Should we decline a good job opportunity if it compromises our home life? Are jobs that require overnight travel appropriate? What did the Frierdiker Rebbe write to an overworked husband? What does Chassidus say about how a good G-d could create evil in this world?

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

· Tu B’Shvat : Applying Chassidus to the new year of the trees and Yisro
· Healing from emotional neglect
· Tempering hate between siblings
· Chinuch Followup: Where’s the mentchlichkeit?
· Is it possible to work with only hand – not head and heart?
· Anatomy of evil: Theodicy according to Chassidus
· Follow-up to holy madness – How absurd is your life?

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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