8:00pm: What Defines a Shliach? Our Stance on Israel; Advice to a Journeyer; What does Bechinah Mean?
This week’s edition of MyLife: Chassidus Applied with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Episode 88, will air tonight, Sunday, here on CrownHeights.info, beginning at 8:00pm. This week Rabbi Jacobson will address the topics: What Defines a Shliach? Our Stance on Israel; Why Not Appoint a New Rebbe? Continued; Advice to a Journeyer; What does Bechinah Mean?
MyLife is now available as a podcast and can be streamed or downloaded from iTunes.
This week, when we read in Parshas Chayei Sarah about the purchase of Me’oras Ha’Machpeilah, many Jews make a pilgrimage to Chevron to spend Shabbos with the matriarchs and patriarchs. Should we reconsider the tradition in light of the recent violence and upheaval in Israel? Even more, would the Rebbe still say that Israel is the safest place in the world, or would he have changed his stance due to the recent attacks and the different landscape that has resulted from political decisions made contrary to the Rebbe’s position? What should be a Chabadnik’s stance on Israel?
Last week’s controversial topic about why we don’t appoint a new Rebbe elicited an outpouring of responses, ranging from one extreme to the other. Rabbi Jacobson will review some of these comments and the burning issue of the future of Chabad, which is clearly concerning many.
Other topics to be reviewed include: What defines a shliach of the Rebbe? Is it limited to any particular criteria? What proper advice can you give someone embarking on a journey “away” from Chassidus and Judaism?
Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in the MyLife: Chassidus Applied contest: “Utilizing the Power of Words” by Menachem Mendel Izenberger; “The Value of Selflessness” by Avi Feldman; “The Ultimate Therapy” by Yossi Kahanov. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/mylife/contest/.
And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: The word “be’chinah/ be’chinas” is commonly used in Chassidic texts to define different levels – as in “be’chinas keser,” or “be’chinas chochma.” Can you please explain why this word is used and what it really means?”
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 atwww.appliedchassidus.com.
The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:
- Chassidus Applied to Chayei Sarah
- Our position on Israel
- What defines a shliach?
- Why not appoint a new Rebbe? (cont.)
- Advice to a person traveling on a different path
- Chassidus Question: What does “be’chinas” mean in Chassidus?
- MyLife Essays: The power of words, the value of selflessness, the ultimate therapy
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.appliedchassidus.com.
