Ep. 526: How Do We Ensure That the Joy and Lights of Chanukah Last All Year Long?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
What is Chanukah’s message to us today?

• How does it teach us to find hope and light in challenging times?
• What is the personal application of the Chanukah light details – time, place, number, oil?
• What does the oil represent?
• Chassidus Applied to Chanukah and Zos Chanukah
• Why do we eat potato latkes and donuts on Chanukah?
• Is it a mitzvah?
• What is the difference between a custom and a mitzvah?
• What is the significance of Zos Chanukah?
• Is Zos Chanukah considered to be the final sealing in the Book of Life inscribed on the New Year?
• According to Shammai would the first day of Chanukah be called Zos Chanukah?
• Just like we put on a few pairs of tefillin, why don’t we light two menorahs to satisfy both opinions of Hillel and Shammai?
• What can we do to ensure that the joy and lights of Chanukah last all year long?

• What is the central theme of this Torah chapter?
• How could the righteous tribes have sold their brother into slavery out of jealousy?
• What do Judah and Joseph represent?
• Why will “action” be greater when Moshiach comes?
• What role does Joseph play as a precursor to Moshiach ben David?
• What personal and global lessons does it offer us?
• How is it connected to Chanukah?

• What does the Tzemach Tzedek mean by saying that rejoicing in the Alter Rebbe’s celebration is to grasp on to the doorknob (klamkeh)?
• Are we required to teach Chassidus to others (follow-up)?

• How can I deal with the fact that I no longer can have children?