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Q&A with Rabbi Simon Jacobson on the Jewish perspective on relationships and marriage, from an event hosted by [email protected], which educates and facilitates dating and marriage with Jewish values for young Jews.

The Mission of the Spies
Moses had instructed the twelve spies to bring back specimens of the produce of the land of Israel to show to the Children of Israel. Strangely, Joshua and Calev – the only ones to remain faithful to Moses and the mission – did not comply and returned empty-handed. In explaining the justification for their omission, this class will offer a timely lesson on the nature of intent versus action. (Likutei Sichos vol. 38)

Q&A with Rabbi Simon Jacobson on the Jewish perspective on relationships and marriage, from an event hosted by [email protected], which educates and facilitates dating and marriage with Jewish values for young Jews.

Parshah Curiosities: Shelach
Moses selects scouts to inspect the Promised Land, and excite the people about their new home. Sadly most chose unwarranted negative reportage instead, dissuading the nation from journeying onward to Eretz Yisrael. To bolster their case, they harvest the land’s outlandishly huge and bizarre fruit using them to instill fear and despair into the hearts of the people. These insightful teachings shed sweet light on the sour grapes of this infamous story.

When division becomes a virtue
Our Sages declare that Korach and his followers are the symbol of divisiveness that "will not ultimately endure"; whereas the dissenting views of Hillel and Shamai represent a virtuous difference of opinion "that will ultimately endure". But why would argument of any kind, especially one that endures forever, be considered a virtue?! In answering this question, this class traces the origins of all conflicts and reveals the ultimate resolution to them all. (Based on the Maamar Vayikach Korach 5767)

Parsha Korach
Korach’s audacious claim that Moses and Aaron self-appointed themselves to positions of leadership was put to the test with an invitation to offer the sacred incense together with Aaron. Moses then petitions G-d not to accept their offering. But why would Moses make such a request if he knew with absolute certainty that Aaron’s appointment would be vindicated by G-d? The answer lies in a deeper understanding of the interplay between the individual and community. (Likutei Sichos , volume 33)

Parshah Curiosities: Korach
Moses assumed an unusually aggressive position when faced with the mutiny led by the wealthy, arrogant scoundrel Korach. This profound analysis of the classical sources explains why all the drama. The anti-Moses mob’s bitter-end came sooner than expected—as a “ground-breaking” event swiftly swallowed the rebels. This class concludes with the story of”the men who returned from hell” and other little-known fascinating facts and incredible insights that brilliantly illuminate the shadowy abyss into which those rabble-rousers disappeared.

Letters and Numbers of Torah - Korach
We are not to perpetuate the memory of the wicked, as the Book of Proverbs says (10:7), “The name of the evil person shall rot.” So why is the Torah portion of Korach named for an evil person? It is because of the positive lesson we can learn from Korach. But in order to do so, we must understand the three letters of his name.

The saddest period in the Jewish calendar, when we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple – amongst a litany of other national tragedies – is commonly referred to as 'The Three Weeks'. Yet, our Sages referred to this period as '21 Days'? The answer to this innocuous question reveals an astounding new depth to both the mourning period and its inevitable resolution. (Based on Sefer Hasichos 5750)

The Sages of the Talmud differ as to the positioning of the Menorah in the Holy Temple, whether east to west (along the width of the temple) or north to south (along the temple’s length). This class reveals the spiritual underpinnings of this discussion and the relevance to our daily lives. (Based on Reshimas HaMenorah)

Why Tisha B’Av will be a festival in the messianic era?
The teachings of chassidus look beyond the surface of the terrible destruction of the Holy Temple and the subsequent exile, which we mourn during the 3 weeks, and finds the hidden good embedded inside—offering insight into why they’ll ultimately be transformed into joyous holidays in the times of Moshiach.

Letters and Numbers of Torah - Pinchas
"Pinchas...has turned My anger away from the children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me... therefore I hereby give him My covenant of peace." (Numbers 25:11-12) In this verse, the letter 'vav' of the word 'shalom' (peace) is written like two separate letters, a 'yud' above and a small 'vav' below. What does this teach us about how to make true peace?

Letters and Numbers of Torah—Matot
G-d tells Moses, “A thousand for each tribe, a thousand from each tribe, from all the tribes of Israel you shall send into the army [to battle the Midianites].” (Numbers 31:4) The Hebrew word for thousand is “elef,” which is spelled the same as “alef.” What is the connection between the battle against Midian, the letter alef, and the Three Weeks of mourning over the destruction of the Temple?

How 250 Ukrainian Children Escaped the Russia-Ukraine War
Filmed during the Russia-Ukraine War's opening days, this documentary tells the story of how the woman and children of Chabad Odesa miraculously escaped the invasion to the safety of Berlin. The film features firsthand stories and footage from refugees, C

Q&A with Rabbi Simon Jacobson on the Jewish perspective on relationships and marriage, from an event hosted by [email protected], which educates and facilitates dating and marriage with Jewish values for young Jews.
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