8:00pm: Why Is There Ever a Mitzvah to Get Drunk?

The topics in this week’s 299th episode of the highly acclaimed MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, will include: 

• Chassidus applied to Purim
• Why do we keep the Fast of Esther today when there is no decree?
• Why is there ever a mitzvah to get drunk?
• How could Mordecahi put all the Jews in danger by not bowing to Haman?
• Are their allusions in midrash that Esther was married to Mordechai?
• Why is G-d’s name not mentioned in Megilas Esther?  
• What did the Jews do wrong by attending Achashverosh’s banquet?
• Why is Esther credited with saving the Jews by marrying Achashverosh?
• Why are women obligated to hear the megillah if it’s a mitzvas asei she’ha’zman grammah?
• Why are the three letters, tof, shin and zayin, purposely written in small letter in the Megillah?
• What is the significance of the four verses of the megillah that we all read aloud?
• Why did Esther have two parties for Achashverosh and Haman?
• What are the origins of hamantashen?
• Is there a connection between Mordechai and Esther and the Babylonian gods marduk and ishtar?
• Did Vashti actually grow a physical tail?
• What ever happened to Zeresh?
• Did the Rebbe once say at a Purim farbrengen that everyone who raises their hand will become wealthy?
• What is the story with the Purim the Rebbe went into the small shul upstairs, asked that the doors and windows be locked, and then said a maamar to a small group of people?
• Chassidus questions:
  1. How can Yom Ha’Kippurim, the holiest day of the year, be only compared to Purim?
  2. What is the meaning of orah in la’yihudim hoysa orah, and how is it connected to havdalah?
  3. How do we apply ad d’lo yoda?

This hour-long dose of insights, broadcast live every Sunday night 8-9PM EST, 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 chassidusapplied.com/ask.

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 chassidusapplied.com/ask.