Ep. 478: Is the War in Gaza a Step Toward Transforming Exile Into Redemption?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
What does this week’s Torah portion teach us about today’s war?

• Why is the entire book of Shemos, including the narrative about the bitter exile, called the “Book of Redemption”?
• What does this teach us about darkness and about attacking Jews?
• Can we learn any lessons from G-d appearing to Moshe in the burning bush?
• What do we learn from Moshe’s protest to G-d: “why have You harmed this people?”
• If Jacob’s best years of his life were in Mitzrayim, why was he so adamant that he should be buried in Israel?

20 and 24 Teves

• The Rambam and the Alter Rebbe’s merits should save us all

The Enemy

• Should we see all the Palestinians as our enemy?
• How can we transform, not just eradicate, the enemy?
• If darkness is only the absence of light, how is it that our enemies have captured the minds of many people?
• Is the war in Gaza a step toward transforming exile into redemption?

Actions

• What impact should this war have on our lives?
• How to become a more sensitive person?
• What is the best way to restore confidence to someone who has suffered humiliation?
• Is there a quota on how much Tehillim should be recited?
• Is there a time that we should refrain from learning Torah to deprive the enemy of strength, as we do on Nittel?
• Should we have more intention when we say the blessing “matir asurim” to help free the remaining hostages?
• Is it wrong to make racist jokes about Hamas?
• Should Chassidus be taught to non-Jews?

Lessons from Tunnels

• Are there any personal and positive lessons we can learn from the tunnels of destruction built under Gaza?
• Can a secular song be the carrier of a inspiring divine message?

• Is it appropriate to honor the secular new year?

• Is there any similarity between the new year and Rosh Hashana?

New Year

• Is it appropriate to honor the secular new year?
• Is there any similarity between the new year and Rosh Hashana?