8:00pm: How to Explain Death to Children

This week’s edition of MyLife: Chassidus Applied with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Episode 176, will air tonight, Sunday, here on CrownHeights.info, beginning at 8:00pm. This week Rabbi Jacobson will address the topics: How to Explain Death to Children; My Son-in-Law Doesn’t Daven; Learning Zohar; Reinstating the Observance of Tu B’Av and the Dancing Maidens; What Does it Mean that Moshiach has to Come ‘Below 10 Tefachim’?

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Can the practice of Bnos Yerushalayim dancing in the fields in a modest manner be reinstated, if an appropriate venue and environment can be secured?  We treat shidduchim as secretive and inaccessible, in that the young people have to rely on other adults’ judgement to decide whether or not they are suitable to as much as meet each other. Perhaps the prejudice could be mitigated if we adopt a similar practice to the ancient Tu B’Av rite where young men and women can meet each other in a non-judgmental, holy manner.

I love learning Tanya and Chassidus. Nevertheless, I also enjoy reading the Zohar (in English) on my own. How do you suggest studying this book?

What did the Rebbe mean when he said that Moshiach needs to come l’matoh m’asorah (below 10) tefachim?

I have a son in law who is a good husband and a good father, but doesn’t always daven (pray). What should I do about that?

My three years old daughter asks very candid questions about death. Such as “When will you and Tatty die?” “Can young people die before they get old?” “Do you still have your face when you die?” “Who will take care of me when you die?” I would like to have a truthful conversation with her on a 3-year old’s level. Do you have any advice about how to speak about death with children? What would you answer to this inquisitive mind?

These are among the relevant topics that Rabbi Jacobson will address in this week’s 176th episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied.

He will also review the winning essays of this year’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “The Chassidic Keys to Finding our Individual Purpose” by Stephanie Blitshtein; “Joy: The Pathway to a Meaningful Life” by Ari Franklin, and “Welcome to the New You” by Shneur Zalman Goldberg. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays.

And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: There is a phrase from the Zohar that is quoted very often in Chassidic literature: “Yisroel Oraysah V’Kudshah Brich Hu Kulah Chad” – “The Jewish People, the Torah and G-d are all One”

Can you please clarify what this means? In what sense are the Jewish People, Torah and G-d considered as “One”?

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 Rosh Chodesh Elul
  • Lessons from Parshas Shoftim
  • Can we reinstate B’nos Yerushalayim dancing in the fields on Tu B’av?
  • Learning Zohar
  • What does it mean that Mashiach should come l’matoh m’asorah (below 10) tefachim?
  • How to explain death to children?
  • My son in law doesn’t daven. What would you advise?
  • Chassidus Question: What does “The Jewish People, the Torah and G-d are all One” mean?
  • MyLife Essays: The Chassidic Keys to Finding Our Individual Purpose, Joy: The Pathway to a Meaningful Life, Welcome to the New You

 

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.