What Inner Strength Does Chanukah Offer Us to Face the Horrific Sydney Massacre? What Are the Souls of the Kedoshim Experiencing Now? We Still Cannot Fathom This Terrible Tragedy. Any Words of Wisdom? How Can We Call G-d Kind and Compassionate in Face of This Horror? During the Time of the Greeks the Jews Would Hide Their Observance Due to the Danger Involved. How Is Today Different? What Is the Special Significance of Zos Chanukah? How Do We Celebrate Hei Teves? How Should We React to Mamdani’s Visit to the Ohel?
MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 573 with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
Sunday, December 21, 2025 / Rosh Chodesh Teves 5786 – 8:00-9:00PM ET
Podcast YouTube Chassidusapplied.com
The topics in this week’s 573rd episode of the highly acclaimed MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, will include:
Aftermath of the horrific Sydney massacre
· What inner strength (netzach and hod) does Chanukah offer us?
· What are the souls of the kedoshim experiencing now?
· We still cannot fathom this terrible tragedy. Any words of wisdom?
· Why would G-d allow it to happen?
· How can we call G-d kind and compassionate in face of this horror?
· During the time of the Greeks the Jews would hide their observance due to the danger involved. How is today different?
Zos Chanukah
· What is the special significance of this day?
· What comes next?
· What is the connection between the eighth day of Chanukah and Shemini Atzeres, completing the high holiday season?
· How will it work after Moshiach comes and we light eight candles on the first night?
Rosh Chodesh Teves
· What is the significance of the new moon?
Chanukah
· Why was finding pure olive oil so significant?
· What’s the connection between Chanukah and education?
· What is the significance of it being a rabbinic holiday?
· Why is chassidus compared to oil?
· Does Shammai not hold that we have to grow each day in holiness?
· Why is chapter 67 in Tehillim printed in the shape of a menorah?
Hei Teves
· What should we focus on in the month of Teves?
· What are we celebrating on Hei Teves?
· How did the Rebbe instruct us to observe this day?
· Is there a connection between Chanukah and Hei Teves?
Vayigash
· What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha?
· Why did Joseph ask everyone to leave the room when he revealed his identity to his brothers?
· Why did Joseph not inform his father over the 22 years that he is alive?
How should we react to Mamdani’s visit to the Ohel?
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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