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8:00pm: Does Judaism Encourage Questions?

This week’s edition of MyLife: Chassidus Applied with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Episode 112, will air tonight, Sunday, here on CrownHeights.info, beginning at 8:00pm. This week Rabbi Jacobson will address the topics: Do All My Questions Have Answers? Does Judaism Encourage or Discourage Questions? How Can I Maintain My ‘Holiday High’? Is It Possible That My Child Doesn’t Need Friends? When, If Ever, Is the Onus of Providing Financially on the Woman?

MyLife MP3s are available to download from the Meaningful Life Center Shop. Become a free member today and receive unlimited Mylife MP3 downloads.

After sitting at the Seder, I realized that I have a fifth question. Why are two of the four questions we encourage children to ask not answered in the Haggadah? Isn’t it strange that the entire Seder is fashioned to engage children and provoke their curiosity, yet not all their questions are answered? Aren’t we leaving a lot of children confused?

Does Judaism invite challenges and skepticism or does it mandate mere acceptance? Am I being a heretic by questioning? Am I being a coward by submitting? And, if we’re to blend the two, where is the balance between challenging and accepting?

My child, although friendly and personable, seems to prefer to be on her own. She doesn’t want to hang out with friends in her spare time like most teenagers. She seems to like her solitude. Is this indicative of a potential issue? Is it possible that she genuinely doesn’t need friends like others do? How can I determine? And how do I encourage her to get out and socialize?

Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following winning essays of 2016’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “Success Within Reach: Life Changing Chassidic Tools” by Nechama Dina Hendel, “Oros B’Keilim – The Secret to Healthy Relationships” by Chaim Heber, “The Soul: A Source of Inherent Self Worth” by Shaul Wolf, and “The Man of Faith is Lonely No More” by Levi Liberow.  These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays.

And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: Chassidus discusses the period of Sefiras Haomer as a time of Birur Hamidos – refining our emotions and character traits. Is this referring to the midos of our Nefesh Elokis or our Nefesh HaBahamis? Does it refer to our service bein adam lamakom (between man and G-d) or bein adam lechavero (man and man)? Can you explain in more practical terms how this can be applied?

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 post-Pesach, Acharei and Mevarchim Iyar
  •  How do I maintain my ‘holiday high’?
  •  Skepticism: Does Judaism encourage or discourage questions?
  •  Why do two of the four questions remain unanswered in the Haggadah?
  •  When, if ever, is a woman supposed to be the financial provider for her home?
  •  Is it possible that my child doesn’t need friends?
  •  I need help prioritizing on Shabbas Mevarchim
  •  Rebbe – follow up
  •  Emunah/Bitachon – feedback
  •  Chassidus Question: What specific midos/emotional faculties are we referring to in the refinement process (birur hamidos) of Sefiras Haomer?
  •  MyLife Essays: Success Within Reach: Life Changing Chassidic Tools, Oros Bikeilim- The Secret to Healthy Relationships, The Soul: A Source of Inherent Self Worth, The Man of Faith is Lonely No More

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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