Weekly Women's Class by Rabbi YY Jacobson: Recent Episodes
TheYeshiva.net
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 26 Sivan, 5784, Parshas Korach, July 2, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 19 Sivan, 5784, Parshas Shlach, June 25, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This Pre-Shavuos Women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 27 Iyar, 5784, June 4, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Bechukosai, 20 Iyar, 5784, May 28, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Behar, 13 Iyar, 5784, May 21, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The Midrash recounts that in the second century, in the famous seaport town of Sidon, on the coast of Lebanon, there lived a married couple blessed with wealth and an honored position in the community. There was, however, a great void in their lives. Although they were married for ten years, they had no children. The couple decided to get divorced. They turned to the great Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for advice. He looked at the couple for a long time, and then he said to them, “I ask only one thing of you both: If you must part, then just as you wed with celebration, so should you part from each other with celebration.” They took his advice and arranged a great feast. During the evening, the husband raised his cup and said to his wife, who would soon leave, “True, this is the last meal we shall share. Before you go, look around at the treasures of this house, choose the most precious jewel your heart desires, and take it back with you to your parents’ house.” The wife did not respond to his offer. Instead, she mixed and spiced the wine, and they drank a lot. The candles burned low in the room, and the husband fell asleep, overcome by heavy drowsiness. While he was asleep, the wife told her servants to lift him on a bed and carry him to her parents’ house. As dawn broke, the husband opened his eyes in a daze and discovered he was in unfamiliar surroundings. Astonished, he asked, “Where am I?” “In the house of my parents,” she said. “Why?” he asked. “This is where you asked to be taken. Did you not say to me last night, ‘Take with you the most precious thing your heart desires?’ To me, dear husband, there is nothing in the world more precious than you. They had found each other again. They now fully realized how strongly they loved each other. The next day, the couple of Sidon appeared again before Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He prayed for the couple, and after a joyful year, they were blessed with a child. What is the message of this story? And why didn’t Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai pray for them in the first place? The story of the couple of Sidon, says the Alter Rebbe, is not only about them; it tells an eternal truth about every marriage and the enduring power of love. When the couple first came to Bar Yochai, their love for each other was conditional and goal-oriented. If the marriage was not producing a child, there was ultimately no point in it. But then as they were about to part, they discovered how deeply they loved each other. They began to celebrate the intrinsic value of love. So, the couple returned to visit the rabbi, not because they had a solution, but because they knew they wanted to be together. Paradoxically, when the couple began to understand the purity of love that has no ulterior motive, their relationship bore fruit. The class explores how our first marriages must morph into second marriages, even with the same partner, and how the setbacks and betrayals we experience are often cries of the soul for a deeper, more authentic, and more vulnerable relationship. We can grow from a superficial relationship to one in which the very relationship means more than anything else. The same is true also in our relationship with Hashem. We tell a story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe saving a marriage, even after divorce, when the husband discovered he was not a Kohen.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Kedoshim, 29 Nissan, 5784, May 7, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Metzora, 16 Nissan, 5784, April 16, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tazria, 1 Nissan, 5784, April 9, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Who are the four children of the Haggadah? What’s this great hullabaloo about them? Why four and not five, six, or ten? Why are they central to our Passover experience? What are their questions, and why are these questions so important? The premise to answering these questions is that the four children are not external to us; they are within each of us: Within each of our hearts, there are “four children” who ask four distinct questions. What are four bigquestions on Judaism? 1) The strange laws that we simply cannot wrap our brains ahead. 2) How can small people believe that G-d cares about their lives and actions, especially in a painful and scary universe? 3) I lead my own life and define my destiny; I don’t need G-d. 4) I don’t care. The Haggadah addresses each of these four powerful questions, with which each of us struggles in one way or another. Erev Pesach in Bergen Belzen. The Bloshever Rebbe sacrificed his life to obtain matzah. But when the Nazis discovered the matzah bakery, all was gone besides a few matzos. He decided the elderly would get them. Until a woman's voice was heard: “Binaranu ubezkananu,” the youth must come first.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tzav, 16 Adar II, 5784, March 26, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayikra, 9Adar II, 5784, March 19, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Pekudei,25Adar II, 5784, March 12, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. In one of the most bizarre Talmudic stories (Megilah 7b), two of the greatest Talmudic sages feast on Purim together. They are inebriated and one of them slaughters his friend. The next day he brings him back to life. The following year he invites his colleague for another Purim meal. This fascinating class, based on an address of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, re-invents the meaning of the story, and applies it to our daily opportunity to link heaven and earth. Purim represents the gift to experience an ego-death, the portal to true inner connection and bliss.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayakhel, Parshas Shekalim, 25Adar I, 5784, March 5, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. This Sabbath, Jews the world over will read, in addition to the weekly Torah portion, an extra Torah portion, known as Parshas Shekalim, or the "portion of the coins." This section of the Torah records the mitzvah incumbent upon the people of Israel, to make a yearly contribution of a half shekel to cover the cost of all communal Temple offerings. A shekel was a specific weight of silver (about 16 grams) that was the standard coinage used by the Jews in the desert. The Jewish people were instructed to contribute a half-shekel coin, which was a silver coin weighing about 8grams, to the Temple. The Torah is extremely particular about the amount of the contribution: "The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel." I do not think there was ever again in Jewish history an appeal made setting a limit to the contributions of the rich! What is baffling about this mitzvahis the Torah's insistence that the contribution consist of a half-coin, rather than a whole, complete coin. Why would G-d instruct the Jewish people to give a contribution that is not complete? Especially considering that the Torah demands all elements connected to the Temple service be as complete and perfect as possible. In his final address, two days before he suffered a stroke, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, presented a profound explanation. This was Shabbos Vayakhel, 25 Adar I, 5752 (1992). It explored the question if a human being in his deepest placeis a lonely creature, struggling with a mysterious and complex self in a way that nobody else can really understand or appreciate? Many philosophical and spiritual disciplines eloquently describe the sense of solitariness that comes hand in hand with one's journey into the inner chambers of the self. The deeper you go, the lonelier you become.But the Rebbe presented a very different view, one which helps teach us how to live with love and joy, despite the pain and disappointment.
Weekly Women's Class: This Women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Sisa, 18 Adar I, 5784, February 27, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. In the conversation between Hashem and Moshe after the sin of the Golden Calf, G-d says something shocking: “On the day I make an accounting, I will bring their sin to account against them.” G-d, it seems, is telling Moses He will never forget this sin. And whenever He is going to make an accounting, this sin will be included in the “package.” This is deeply enigmatic. It is one of the foundations of Judaism that Teshuvah, repentance, atones for all sins and wipes them away completely. Every Yom Kippur, we declare that Hashem “removes our sins every year again.” No matter how many times we commit a sin, if we repent, we are forgiven. Teshuvah removes all guilt. It’s over. Yet here we are told that G-d will never let go of this transgression? The most marvelous answer was presented by the famed Chassidic master and one of the greatest lovers of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov (1740-1809). In a daring interpretation, classic to the Chassidic approach toward Judaism, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak becomes the great “advocate” for the Jewish people, as he always was. The class explores two models of education, one based on outer behavior and control, and the other one on connection and trust, and developing an internal relationship which allows a child to feel understood and empowered. We focus on the need to appreciate our successes, not only our failures.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 11Adar I, 5784, February 20, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The class explores the end of the Code of Jewish Law on the availability of constant bliss, the joy of the month of Adar, and the grief of the month of Av. We explore the enigmatic Talmudic story of Reb Akiva's visit to Rome and why he laughed, the explanation of the Alter Rebbe on bliss and pain, and the exchange between the Rebbe and Eli Wiesel on the question of the Holocaust, and why Jews have not lost their faith, even in the face of such adversity. We finally explain how pain and joy merge together in the profoundest experience of the soul's bliss.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Mishpatim, 27 Shvat, 5784, February 6, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Yisro, 20 Shvat, 5784, January 30, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 13 Shvat, 5784, January 23, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Bo, 6 Shvat, 5784, January 16, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 21Tevet, 5784, January 2, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Why Moshe? Why was he chosen as the first and greatest Jewish leader, teacher, and prophet? The Torah does not provide an explicit reason. But it does give us a clue. Often people ask me why the Torah focuses so much on men. The question is strange, because in Genesis, almost every important history-changing decision is made by a woman. And in Shemos, it is six women who are responsible for the entire story of the Egyptian Exodus: Shifra, Puah, Yocheved, Miriam, Pharaoh’s daughter Batya, and Tziporah. These six extraordinary people refused to bow their heads to the inevitable; they are giants in the story of mankind and in the story of the Jewish people. They were also, it seems, the role models who molded, crafted, and mentored Moses; they taught him how to live, how to think, how to act. The three stories the Torah shares about Moses, which made him the man suitable to be the greatest leader ever, are essentially all stories inspired by these women who impacted his life, who—like our mothers, wives and daughters to this very day—helped him become the person who would change history forever. The class concludes with a life-changing message by Einav Efrat Danino, the mother of Ori, 24, who was taken captive by Hamas on October 7th 2023, may we see his redemption, and the redemption of all the hostages, very soon.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 14 Tevet, 5784, December 26, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. On his deathbed Jacob speaks to Joseph: “A charming son is Joseph, a son charming to the eye; the women strode along to see him. They made his life bitter and they quarreled with him; archers despised him.” Rashi explains: “The women of Egypt strode out on the wall to gaze upon his beauty." What is Jacob trying to bring out? Literally, that Joseph’s beauty was dazzling. Not only was he appealing to any eye that saw him, but even the Egyptian women were enthralled by his figure. They ascended the walls and fortresses of Egypt to be able to gaze at him. But why is thisrelevant on the deathbed of Jacob? For this we have to understand what was at the root of this conflict in the first family of Israel? Could it be that a multicolored coat or a favorite son’s share of his father’s affections should generate such profound strife? Something deeper was at stake. Joseph and Judah embodied two divergent worldviews. They possessed different approaches on the meaning of Judaism, which was just beginning to bud, and how we achieve a state of transcendent oneness. There is a remarkable law in Talmud: While when the Temple existed in Jerusalem you can only eat the meat of the sacrifices within the Jerusalem walls, when the Tabernacle stood in Shilo, in Joseph’s territory, you can eat the meat of the offerings as far as the eye could behold the Tabernacle. This law captures the magic and revolution of Joseph which we must emulate today. We explore the unique role of women in gazing at Joseph, and the power of the woman to reveal Divine oneness within the material fragmented reality. The class explains how our daily lives must integrate the visions of Judah and Joseph, so that even as our thoughts can pull us in all directions, we remain anchored in the "solar core."
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayigash, 7 Tevet, 5784, December 19, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Finally one of the most dramatic stories in the Torah reaches its climax. Yosefreveals himself to his brothers and ultimately reunites with his beloved father after 22 years of heart-break and suffering. The brothers are first shocked, embarrassed, and then finally relieved. But let us take a step back. Yosefhad recognized his brothers immediately, yet chose to conceal this fact. Instead, he accused them, imprisoned them, and forced them to and from Egypt, ultimately tearing beloved Benjamin away from Yaakov, and causing his elderly father more unnecessary prolonged suffering. If he forgave them, then he should have revealed himself immediately, and reunited with his father?! And finally, only after this whole ordeal does he choose to do what he should have done initially, identify himself. Why did he do this? Was it revenge? Or to exact punishment on his brothers? This class will show how Yosef’s actions show us the depth of true healing, and define the process of true repentance. Yosefwas not manipulating his brothers; on the contrary, he was guiding them. It was only due to his superficial ‘heartlessness’ that sincere, heartfelt, reconciliation became possible. Healing, or Teshuvah has three irreplaceable components: remorse for the past, resolve for the future, and finally, a moment, a déjà vu, when that resolve is fully actualized and proven. Joseph wanted to ensure that his brothers experienced all three so that a new chapter in history can begin. The lessons today, as the Jewish people are at war, are powerful. This is a time for internal transformation.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayeshev, 22 Kislev, 5784, December 5, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 15 Kislev, 5784, November 28, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday,Parshas Vayetzei,8 Kislev, 5784, November 21, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Chayei Sara, 23 Cheshvan, 5784, November 7, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayera, 16Cheshvan, 5784, October 31, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Noach, 2Cheshvan, 5784, October 17, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Bereishis, 25 Tishrei, 5784, October 10, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The class took place three days after Hamas breached the fence and attacked Jewish towns near Gaza, on Shabbos morning, Simchas Torah, 5784, October 7, 2023. 1300 Jews were murdered, thousands were wounded, and more than 100 were taken as hostages to Gaza.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 11 Tishrei, 5784, September 26, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Sukkos is called the “Festival of Joy”, but what exactly is so joyful about it? The other major holidays are named after their very essences: Passover is the “Festival of Our Redemption,” and Shavuot is the “Festival of the Giving of Our Torah.” What’s the deep connection between joy and Sukkot? And how can we understand the mystery of the four plants we shake on Sukkos? If someone unfamiliar with our tradition were to stop you today walking down the street with your four species and say, what are you holding in your hand? You would say: “This is my ritual bouquet!” Then they ask: What do you do with it? “Well, we shake it.” Hu? What is more, the Torah states that when you take these four plants, “you shall rejoice before your G-d seven days.” Why? How does holding on and shaking these four plants generate happiness? Who was the first person to take a fruit from a beautiful tree? Of course, Eve and Adam. What fruit was it? The Midrash says: the Esrog. It would appear that on Sukkos we are repeating the same story: we are again taking the Esrog off the tree, but this time around, we take it, shake it, swing it, but don’t eat it. It is almost like G-d is telling us, I want you to do this over again. In the case of Adam and Eve, they were cursed with sadness. This time around we are blessed with joy. Also, after Adam and Eve eat the fruit they feel like they have to hide from G-d. On Sukkos, when we take the fruit, we “rejoice in the presence of G-d.” What is going on here? The class (based on this wonderful class by Rabbi Ami Silver: https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/arbaminim) provides us with a deep reflection on how Sukkos and the Four Species can help us calm our nervous system, reorients our brains, change our paradigms, and ease up the tension in our life, by going away from dissociation to connection. The Sukkah is the virtual “Garden of Eden,” and the four plants allow us to repair what happened millennia ago in the original Garden of Eden, once again reclaiming the joy and ecstasy of life. The story of the raffle that happened in the IDF captures the timeless unity of our people who were chosen to unite the entire world under the sovereignty of Hashem.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday,26Elul, 5783, September 12, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Nitzavim/Veyeilech, 19Elul, 5783, September 5, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Pinchas, 15Tamuz, 5783, June 26, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Chukas, 8Tamuz, 5783, June 27, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Korach, 1 Tamuz, 5783, June 20, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shlach, 24Sivan, 5783, June 13, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Behaloscha, 17Sivan, 5783, June 6, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Naso, 10Sivan, 5783, May 30, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, 3 Sivan, 5783, May 23, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 25 Iyar, 5783, May 16, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Emor, 11 Iyar, 5783, May 2, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. In the fourth chapter of the Ethics of the Fathers, we read the following Mishna: Elisha the son of Avuya said: One who studies Torah as a child, to what is he compared? To ink written on fresh paper. And one who studies Torah as an old man, to what is he compared? To ink inscribed on erased paper. There are a few questions on this Mishnah. First, what’s the novelty? This is self-evident. Second, I can understand encouraging parents to teach Torah to their children when they are young and their minds are fertile. But what’s the point of the final clause in the Mishnah? If I am an elderly man or woman, and I never had the opportunity to study Torah, why would the Mishnah try to discourage me and make me give up before I even begin?! Finally, there is something else amiss here. Of the more than one thousand Rabbis cited in the Talmud, only one became a heretic. His name was Elisha ben Avuya. Due to this tragedy, his ideas and teachings are never quoted in the Mishnah. Save in this Mishnah. What happened suddenly? Why did this Mishnah decide to quote him? And why was this particular idea the one chosen to be conveyed to all generations in his name? He was, by all accounts, one of the outstanding Jewish sages of the second century, a contemporary of Rabbi Akiva, and the teacher of Rabbi Meir, the leading scholar of his generation. Elisha moved so far from Jewish tradition that his colleagues stopped referring to him by his name but rather called him Acher, “the other”, the outcast, the renegade. Only his student Rabbi Meir remained loyal to the man who had once been his master, sought out his company, and still believed that he might one day repent. Against this backdrop, we find a deeply moving scene in the Talmud. It is Shabbat, and Elisha ben Abuya is publicly desecrating the holy day by riding on a horse. Walking alongside him is Rabbi Meir. Heretic teacher and faithful disciple travel together along the road arguing and debating Jewish law. Rabbi Meir, the pious Jew, has become so immersed in the conversation that he has not noticed they are nearing the limits beyond which one may not walk on Shabbat. “Acher”, the apostate, realizes this and says: “Meir, turn back. I have measured the distance we have walked by the paces of my horse, and we have reached the Shabbat limit. Beyond here, you are forbidden to walk. Meir replied: “You too turn back.” “I cannot turn back,” says Elisha. “One day I was riding on my horse. It was Yom Kippur, which in that particular year fell on Shabbat. I was roaming behind the Holy of Holies, when I heard a heavenly voice saying: ‘Turn back to me, O lost children, except for Acher... ’” What is the message of this story? That G-d indeed does not forgive all humans who want to repent? That some must truly be condemned forever? This would contradict a fundamental idea in Judaism that nothing stands in the way of repentance. Furthermore, if G-d did not want Elisha to repent, why did He communicate with him at all? Why did the heavenly voice begin with words of love and encouragement “Turn back to me, O lost children,” and end with the fearful decree “except for Acher”? This class will analyze the tragic story of Acher, the mysterious call to him on Yom Kippur, and his misinterpretation of it. We will explore the moments before his death, and why he had only one student who remained with him even after his betrayal of his faith. It will teach us about the pain and destiny of our own lives, how to view our own brokenness and wounds, and those of the people around us.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim, 4 Iyar, 5783, April 25, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. We learn in the third chapter of Pirkei Avos: Rabbi Chaninah, deputy to the kohanim, would say: Pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear it inspires, every man would swallow his neighbor alive. Rabbi Chaninah son of Tradyon would say: If two sit together and there are no words of Torah [spoken] between them, then this is a session of scorners ... Two who sit and exchange words of Torah, the Divine Presence rests amongst them... The basic meaning of (the first) Rabbi Chaninah's words is that for a society to be civilized its members must submit to the rule of government and law. The need for "fear of authority" may seem an insult to our sophistication and intelligence, but the fact remains that without it there would be nothing to check the worst in man, and the anarchic rule of the jungle would prevail. The question, though, is how this passage made it into Pirkei Avos, the Ethics of the Fathers, which is a book of character-building, of going “beyond the letter of the law.” In these chapters you will not find a prohibition of murder, theft, deception, or adultery. For that we have the Torah and the other tractates of Mishnah. Yet here we have an astounding exception. Suddenly the Mishnah tells us that we must do what we can to avoid people eating each other alive! A second enigma is this. The Mishnah rarely if ever employs poetic language. It is not a book of poetry, but of law. Why does the Mishnah use this phrase, “every man would swallow his neighbor alive,” not the ordinary and straightforward term in Torah and Tanach, “every man would kill his neighbor.” There is a third enigma. Rabbi Chanina was not only addressing the non-Jewish world, but also the Jewish world. In the words of Maimonides in his commentary on this Mishnah: “If not for the fear of government we would swallow each other alive.” But this seems unfair and harsh. Jews, who are born and bred with the values and mitzvos of the Torah, have rarely been involved in murder. Till today, no Jewish school in the world where Torah is taught has a metal detector. Is it really true that if we had not fear of government, we would murder each other? Finally, what is the juxtaposition between this clause of the Mishnah and the following one: “Rabbi Chaninah son of Tradyon would say: ... Two who sit and exchange words of Torah, the Divine Presence rests amongst them.” They seems disjointed. Why were they put together in one Mishnah? It was at a farbrengen Shabbos Parshas Shlach 1975, when the Lubavitcher Rebbe offered a marvelous and extremely relevant explanation into this Mishnah which answers all the above questions—and teaches us how to live. We also tell the story of a horse by the water, two groceries in Crown Heights, the arrogant scholar, the dignity of a child, and Rabbi Lau’s Bar mitzvah.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tazria-Metzorah, 27Nissan, 5783, April 18, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This women’s Pesach Class, explaining a few parts of the Haggadah,waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Tzav, 6Nissan, 5783, March 28, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Right after we enumerate the ten plagues that befell Egypt, pouring out a little wine for each plague, we read of a debate that took place between three of the foremost sages during the second century CE, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yoisi from the Galilee. Rabbi Yoisi HaGlili says: “The Egyptians were struck in Egypt by ten plagues… Rabbi Eliezer says: “... Every plague that G-d brought upon the Egyptians in Egypt was comprised of four plagues...Thus they were struck by forty plagues;” Rabbi Akiva says: “... Every plague that G-d brought upon the Egyptians in Egypt was comprised of five plagues... thus they were struck by fifty plagues.” What is this supposed to mean? The Torah states that Egypt was struck with ten plagues. Why would the Talmudic Sages debate this simple fact? Do we have to argue about everything? And what is the meaning of their views that each plague was comprised of four or five plagues? And what is the relevance to us? The sages were addressing a big question: How deep can abuse, trauma, corruption, and evil penetrate a society collectively and each person individually? How messed up can you and I become? How sick can we become? How deep can the dysfunction run? And what is the path of healing? Is healing even always possible? In Judaism, psychology and ethics are reflected in practical law. It is fascinating that the above dispute, finds expression in the world of Halacha: How do we treat our Chametz on Pesach? How did Reb Yoisi Haglili treat his ex-wife who made his life miserable? How did Reb Akiva understand that trauma can affect your formless core? What did he teach us about the path toward healing from profound abuse and dissociation? This class is based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Pesach of 5711 (1951), 5714( 1954), and 5718 (1958). Published in Likkutei Sichos, vol. 16 pp. 87-93.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Terumah, 30 Shevat, 5783, Rosh Chodesh Adar, February 21, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Mishpatim, 23Shevat, 5783, February 14, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 9Shevat, 5783, January 31, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Bo, 2 Shevat, 5783, January 24, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. It is a fascinating law in this week’s portion. If I am eating the Afikoman and I fall asleep, when wake up I can’t continue eating it. Because it is as though I am beginning a new, second meal, and the Passover offering meal, as well as the Afikoman, have to be eaten in one single uninterrupted meal. The above law applies if a person was conducting a seder alone. But what if he or she is eating the Passover offering or the afikomen with a group of other Jews, then even if he or she falls asleep, they can continue eating after they awake, as long as some members of the group remained awake. The logic is clear. If I am eating in your company, then even if I fell asleep, my meal has not been interrupted, because you are awake. As long as you guys are awake, when I resume consciousness, I am right back in the game. The fact that I took a nap for an hour or two does not mean that my meal has ceased. At first glance, it seems like a technical law, even if quite fascinating and also a bit of a stretch. It was on the 20th of Teves, 5750, January 17, 1990, when I heard from the Lubavitcher Rebbe the deeper emotional and historical meaning of the above law. I still recall how emotional and moving the Rebbe’s explanation was, including of how marvelous it was to see a seemingly technical law reflecting such a splendid insight into Jewish history. It also contains timeless lessons on how we view our brothers, sister, and children, who at some point feel detached from the story of Judaism and the Jewish people.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Va'eira, 24 Teves, 5783, January 17, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 10 Teves, 5783, January 3, 2023, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 12 Kislev, 5783, December 6, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on TuesdayParshas Vayetzei, 5 Kislev, 5783, November 29, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The Midrash relates that when Jacob discovered the switch between the two sisters, he told Leah, “You are a liar, the daughter of a liar,” his way of saying that the apple did not fall far from the tree. “Why did you deceive me?” Leah responded to Jacob’s accusation: Every craftsman creates students. Even a barber inspires students who learn from him the skill of cutting hair. My father and I, too, had a mentor who taught us how to deceive. Some time ago, Leah said, there was an old man, who wanted to bless his oldest son but was deceived by his younger son.. On a simple level, Leah was teaching Jacob the rule of “what goes around comes around.” He deceived his father, causing the blessing reserved for the older son to go instead to the younger son. What he did to his father and brother, was now done to him. Scathing indeed, but deeply disturbing. Let’s assume for a moment Jacob was wrong in taking the blessings—how does that exonerate Leah and Laban in deceiving him? Can I deceive you in a business deal, because you deceived your brother in a deal seven years earlier? Yet, a deeper reflection reveals a profounder reading of this narrative. The deeper dimension has been revealed by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of Chabad, known as the Alter Rebbe, in a discourse of 1811, during the last year of his life; his colleague, Rabbi Yisroel Hopstein, known as the Kozhnitzer Maggid (1737-1814), in his work Avodas Yisroel; and by the third Rebbe of Ger, known as the Sefas Emes (1847-1905). It was all brought together in an address by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, on Shabbos Parshas Toldos 5741, and Shabbos Vayishlach 5747 (1987). The Avodas Yisroel and the Sefas Emes discuss the meaning of the actual Midrash. The Alter Rebbe and the Rebbe explore the inner soul of these ideas. Coupled together we have an outstanding tapestry woven together, with profound lessons for our lives today. The class explores why Yaakov wept when he met Rachel? Why Leah wept when people said she would marry Eisav? Why was Yaakov given a name for holding on to his brother’s heel? And why do we define Eisav as wicked when he was already struggling in his mother’s womb, completely beyond his choice? We discover how Judaism views the struggles and traumas we need to contend with.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday Parshas Toldos, 28 Cheshvan, 5783, November 22, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayeira, 14Cheshvan, 5783, November 8, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Noach, 30 Tishrei, 5783, October 25, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Savo, 17 Elul, 5782, September 13, 2022, at 18 Forshay, Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Seitzei, 10 Elul, 5782, September 6, 2022, at 18 Forshay, Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Shoftim Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shoftim, 3 Elul, 5782, August 30, 2022, at 18 Forshay, Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Eikev Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Eikev, 19 Av, 5782, August 16, 2022, at 18 Forshay, Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Why do the Broken Tablets remain such a great source of inspiration to the point that we took them to war? Why did Moshe feel the need to break the tablets? Why do we compare the death of the Tzaddik to the breaking of the tablets? Why the restlessness so many of us possess? Come on a journey into the types of relationships that redefine you at your core, because they are engraved in your soul. Once I taste infinity, once I see truth, there is no going back. This class is based on an address presented by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on 20 Av, 5732, July 31, 1972.
Women's 15 Av Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Va'eschanan, 12 Av, 5782, August 9, 2022, at 18 Forshay, Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Chukas Class: This class waspresented on TuesdayParshas Chukas, 6 Tammuz, 5782, July 5, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Shlach Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shlach, 22Sivan, 5782, June 21, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Behaaloscha Class: This class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Behaaloscha, 15Sivan, 5782, June 14, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Shavous Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Bamidbar,1 Sivan, 5782, May 31, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Womens Pirkei Avos/ Shavuos Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Bechukosai,23 Iyar, 5782, May 24, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. King Davidwhose yartzeit is on Shavuosremains one of the most fascinating, perplexing, and majestic figures in Jewish history. The combination of wisdom, humility, honesty and spirituality coupled with courage, power, passion, and leadership, and all of them with incredible intensity, conferred upon him the status of the ultimate Jewish king, leader, and poet. Two of the most powerful stories of love in the Tanach are also associated with him and one two of his children. They are summarized succinctly by our sages in the Ethics of the Fathers ch. 5: What is an example of a love that depended on something? The love Amnon had for Tamar. What is a love that did not depend on anything? The love between David and Jonathan." Let us recall these two narratives of love. Let us also understand why the Mishnah needs to find illustrations for two models of love from two ancient stories, when both of these models play themselves out in each of our lives on a constant basis? At a farbrengen in the spring of 1973, Shabbos Parshas Bechokosai 5733, the Lubavitcher Rebbe offered an explanation to the Mishnah. As was his style, he demonstrated how the answer to the above enigma lay in what seems like a discrepancy of a single world. It teaches us a novel idea about how family members need to nurture relationships between themselves and also what type love we are capable of achieving with our spouses and even toward strangers. The riveting stories of how Amnon violated Tamar and how Jonathan loved David illustrate what we are capable of and what we must be caution of in the volatile and complex world of love.
Women's Class - Sfas Emes Behar: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Behar,16 Iyar, 5782, May 17, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Emor Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Emor,9 Iyar, 5782, May 10, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. This class is based on an address delivered by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, on Shabbos Parshas Yisro, 22 Shevat, 5740, February 9, 1980; and on Tuesday Parshas Shlach, 19 Sivan, 5747, June 16, 1987. This second address was presented to the graduating class of Beth Rivkah girl's school, and to the counselors of thegirls camp, Camp Emunah.
Women's Kedoshim Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Kedoshim,2 Iyar, 5782, May 3, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Pesach Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Metzora,4 Nisan, 5782, April 5, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Tazria Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tazria,26 Adar II, 5782, March 29, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Shmini Women's Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shmini,19 Adar II, 5782, March 22, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The class was dedicated to the recent passing of HaGaon Reb Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022), on Friday, Shushan Purim, 5782, March 18, 2022, at his home in Bnei Brak, at the age of 94. The funeral on Sunday brought together some 750,000 mourners from all over the Holy Land.
Purim Women's Class: This weekly women's class on Purim waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Tzav,12 Adar II, 5782, March 15, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Purim/Yayikra Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on TuesdayParshas Vayikra,5 Adar II, 5782, March 8, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Pekudei Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on TuesdayParshas Pekudei,28 Adar I, 5782, March 1, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Purim Katan Class: This weekly women's class was presented on TuesdayParshas Ki Sisa, Purim Katan, 14 Adar I, 5782, February 15, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Tetzaveh Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 7 Adar I, 5782, February 8, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Terumah Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Terumah, 30 Shevat, Rosh Chodesh Adar I, 5782, February 1, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Mishpatim Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Mishpatim, 23 Shevat, 5782, January 25, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Yisro Class: This weekly women's class by Rabbi YY Jacobson waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Yisro, 16 Shevat, 5782, January 18, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Beshalach Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 9 Shevat, 5782, January 11, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Bo Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Bo, 2 Shevat, 5782, January 4, 2022, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Vaeira Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vaera, 24 Teves, 5782, December 28, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Shemos Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 17 Teves, 5782, December 21, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Womens Asarah BTeves class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 10 Teves, 5782, December 14, 2021, at his home in Monsey, NY.
Vayigash Women's Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayigash, 3 Teves, 5782, December 7, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Chanukah Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Miketz, 26 Kislev, 5782, November 30, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Vayishlach Class: She is one of the most anonymous figures in the Torah, yet the Torah dedicates space in Vayishlach to discuss her death, burial, and the tears following her passing. This is Rivkah's wet nurse, Devorah. But who was she? Why is she important to our story? Why did everyone grieve her death? As it turns out, she shaped the future of the Jewish people and the destiny of history. According to the sages, Devorah the prophetess led and taught the Jewish people ather burial plot, and she was also a reincarnation of Tamar. All of these details come together to create one of the most remarkable reflections on the timeless role of the Jewish woman in history, from then to this very day. Rabbi YY Jacobson unravels the mystery of one of the mostanonymous figures in the Torah, Rivkah's wet nurse, Devorah, bringing to life a narrative of profound emotion, courage, resilience, and faith, still carried on by our mothers and daughters. This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 12 Kislev, 5782, November 16, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Vayetzei Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayetzei, 5 Kislev, 5782, November 9, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Toldos Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Toldos, 27 Cheshvan, 5782, November 2, 2021, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The class explores a fascinating commentary by the Italian Rabbi, Doctor and Kabalist, Reb Moshe David Vali (1697-1777) how Yitzchak's words to Eisav "you shall worship your brother" intimates the future religion of Christianity, choosing a Jew as the son of G-d, and is a sign for the times of Moshiach when the Divinity of each Jew will emerge in its full splendor. The class discusses and explained the very delicate topic of the strange fact that Judaism attributes the name of G-d to certain human beings. How can we explain this? And what does this teach us about our lives today?
Chayei Sarah Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 20 Cheshvan, 5782, October 26, 2021, live at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Parshas Vayera: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayera, 13 Cheshvan, 5782, October 19, 2021, live at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Yom Kippur Women's Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday Parshas Ha'azinu, 8 Tishrei, 5781, September 14, 2021, live at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Rosh Hashanah Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Nitzavim, 23 Elul, 5781, August 31, 2021, live at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Elul Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Savo, 16 Elul, 5781, August 24, 2021, live at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
The Emunah Series/Women's Class Elul: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Seitzei, 9Elul, 5781, August 17, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Parshas Devarim/Tisha B'Av Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Devarim, 4 Av, 5781, July 13, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class/Sfas Emes Matos: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Matos-Maasei, 26 Tammuz, 5781, July 6, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Surfside Tower Collapse/Tuesday Women's Class: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Pinchas, 19 Tammuz, 5781, June 29, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY. It happened 88 years ago, in 1932. The Lubavitcher Rebbe came from Berlin to Riga to spend Sukkos with his father-in-law, the sixth Chabad Rebbe. On Chol Hamoed, the Rebbe farbrenged all night in the Sukkah of the yeshiva. But nobody ever had a record of the words. After the Rebbe's passing in 1994, his personal journals were discovered and published as the "Reshimos." There they found the Rebbes transcript of that 1932 address, a major part of it dealing with the Torah laws about searching for people trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building. As the Mishna states (Yuma 83a), we never give up hope and never stop searching for anyone who might be alive. The Rebbe spent a few hours analyzing all the details of this halacha (which will be studied in the Daf Yomi this week), and then explaining it from an emotional and spiritual perspective, applying these laws to people living in a chaotic N What does it mean that a person is emotionally trapped under a collapsed building? How do we extract them? Do we ever give up? What are the signs of life we are looking for? Was the rebbe perhaps also addressing what would become his mission following the greatest catastrophe in Jewish history?
Women's Class Korach: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Korach, 28 Sivan, 5781, June 8, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Shlach: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Shlach, 21 Sivan, 5781, June 1, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY. How do we understandMoshe's strange argument to Hashem:Dont kill Your children because of what the neighbors will say?! And why didnt repentance work after the story of the spies? The class is based on Sefas Emes and a talk by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Perhaps G-d was not punishing the Jews, only help them confront their reality.
Women's Class Behaaloscha: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Behaaloscha, 14 Sivan, 5781, May 25, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Shavuos Women's Class: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 29 Iyar, 5781, May 11, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class with Q & A on Meron Tragedy: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, 22 Iyar, 5781, May 4, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Lag Baomer : This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Emor, 15 Iyar, 5781, April 27, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class: Sefas Emes Tazria-Metzora: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tazria/Metzorah, 1 Iyar, 5781, April 13, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Pesach: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Tzav, 10 Nisan, 5781, March 23, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Vayakhel: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayakhel/Pekudei, 25 Adar, 5781, March 9, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Ki Sisa: This weekly women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Sisa, 18 Adar, 5781, March 2, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Purim Baal HaTanya Maamar: This weekly women's class will bepresented on Tuesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 11 Adar, 5781, February 23, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class - Sefas Emes/Terumah: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Terumah, 4 Adar, 5781, February 16, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Sefas Emes Yisro: This weekly women's class on Sefas Emes Parshas Yisro waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Yisro, 20 Shevat, 5781, February 2, 2021, live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY. Every Jew is a witness to all of Judaisms claims. For its truths are imprinted in the core of every Jewish soul. The Torah is here to jog our unconscious memory, reminding us what we always knew about who we always are and who we will alwaysconduits for Divine infinity.
Women's Class -- Sefas Emes Beshalach: This weekly women's classwaspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 13 Shevat, 5781, January 26, 2021, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class -- Sefas Emes Bo: This weekly women's classwas presented on Tuesday, Parshas Bo, 6 Shevat, 5781, January 19, 2021, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Class Sefas Emes Va'era: This weekly women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Vaera, 28Tevet, 5781, January 12, 2021, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Shemos Class: This weekly women's classwaspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 21Tevet, 5781, January 5, 2021, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Women's Vayechi Class: This weekly women's classwaspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 14 Tevet, 5781, December 29, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY. After Jacobs death, Joseph says to his brothers, fearful of his revenge: Dont be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. What is the meaning of these loaded words Am I in the place of G-d? What does that have to do with this exchange? The brothers are pleading with him not to take revenge. Joseph reassures them that he will not punish them, explaining that notwithstanding their harmful intentions, G-d has turned it around. Why does Joseph open his answer with the words, Am I in the place of G-d? It was the great Chassidic master, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchov (1740-1809), who offered a most moving explanation. The literal translation of Josephs words to his brothers is different. The Hebrew word tachas means under. Joseph told his brothers: Am I under G-d?! But what is that supposed to mean? Joseph denied he was under G-d? It is here we discover our own power to apologize to those we hurt and to forgive those who hurt us. We tell an incredible story of the Rabbi of Barditchov about forgiveness.
Women's Class - Sefas Emes Vayigash: This weekly women's classwas presented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayigash, 7 Tevet, 5781, December 22, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY. The text-based class on Midrash Rabah and Sefas Emes Parshas Vayigash explores two enigmatic Midrashim on the portion, about Yehudah surrendering to Yosef, and Yosef's "rebuking" his brothers. How do we deal with our wounds inside and our challenges outside? Does the world hate us or love us? Is G-d my best friend or just my heavenly boss? How my own mind and actions can cause what is really love to be seen as hate, what is really light to be seen as darkness. We are given a blueprint of how to face every trauma and challenge and see it as an opportunity for infinite love and growth.
Women's Chanukah Class - Q & A: This is the Q& Asegment at the conclusion of Rabbi YY'swomen's Chanukah class. The class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayeshev, 22 Kislev, 5781, December 8, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Women's Chanukah Class: This weekly women's classwaspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayeshev, 22 Kislev, 5781, December 8, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Vayishlach Women's Class: This weekly women's classwas presented on Tuesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 15 Kislev, 5781, December 1, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Vayetzei Women's Class: This women's classwas presented on TuesdayParshas Vayetzei, 8Kislev, 5781, November 24, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY It is based on an address (a Sicha) delivered by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei, 10 Kislev, 5766, December 6, 1965, published in Likkutei Sichos vol. 5 Vayeitzei, and it explores the question of how can Yaakov marry two sisters. The class relates the story of the Chafetz Chaim's Sholom Aleichem; Reb Yaakov Kaminetzky not eating gebrakts; when they cooked rice in Chabad for Pesach, and when the Rebbe Rayatz said, "better a red matzah than a red face."
Toldos Women's Class: This women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Toldos, 1 Kislev, 5781, November17, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY Why would you name a child Yaakov because he is holding on to his brothers heel? Why would Eisav speak of tithing salt and straw, and not any other food? Why did the vision of a destroyed Beis Hamikdash inspire Yitzchaks blessings? Why did he want to bless Eisav? Why did Yitzchak begin his blessings, And G-d will give you, meaning that the first giving is insufficient? The class explores to models of leaders, mentors and teachers. It addresses to dimensions to life: when you are a student of life, and when you become a creator, finding the courage to reinvent yourself, and turning chaotic sounds into a symphony.
Women's Chayei Sarah Class: You know the story about Winston Churchill. As Savior of the free world, he felt entitled to grab a nap in the House of Commons. When a fellow Parliament member approached him and said, Must you fall asleep when I am speaking? Churchill answered, No, it is purely voluntary. Says the Midrash: Once, as Rabbi Akiva taught a class, he noticed that his students began falling asleep. He wished to awaken them. Rabbi Akiva interrupted his lecture and said: Why did Esther reign over 127 provinces? Because Esther was a descendant of Sarah who lived for 127 years. Let the granddaughter of Sarah, who lived for 127 years, come and reign over 127 countries. This is a strange story. It evokes many questions. Among them: What is the connection of Sarahs 127 years to Esthers queenship over 127 provinces? And why did Rabbi Akiva choose this insightfrom all the ideas he could have sharedas the way of waking up his audience? This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Chayei Sarah, 23Cheshvan, 5781, November10, 2020, live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Women's Re'eh Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Reah, 21Av, 5780, August 11, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Women's Eikev Class: This women's class waspresented on Tuesday Parshas Eikev, 14Av, 5780, August4, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's homein Monsey, NY
Nine Days Women's Class: Rabbi YY Jacobson presented aclass in honor of the nine-days. Streaming live 11:00am EST onTuesday, 7 Av, 5780, July 28, 2020.
Devarim Women's Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Devarim, 29 Tammuz, 5780, July21, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's homein Monsey, NY
Maasei Women's Class: The women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 22Tammuz, 5780, July 14, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Pinchas Women's Class: The women's class waspresented on Tuesday, Parshas Pinchas, 15Tammuz, 5780, July 7, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Chukas Women's Class: The women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Chukas-Balak, 8Tammuz, 5780, June 30, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY