What to Look for in a President

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 114, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

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Facing the upcoming elections, is it a Jew’s responsibility to vote? What criteria should one look for in a candidate? Is it their support for Israel? Their ability to lead? Their integrity?

I wouldn’t consider myself an unmotivated person. However, when it comes to pulling myself out of bed in the morning, I find it really difficult. I end up snoozing my alarms for a while and eventually get up frustrated with myself and the ringing in my ears. How can I defeat my snooze button? What can I tell myself in the morning to help me get out of bed energetically and not begrudgingly?
All my life I have been trained to think that a paramount difference between Judaism and other religions is that we believe that everyone has a direct link to G-d, without the need of any intermediaries. Yet, throughout Torah we find many scenarios where Moshe’s interpretation was needed, or where people erred because they didn’t consult with Moshe before acting. Chassidus describes Moshe as a memutzah ha’mechaber. What is the nature of a Nasi HaDor and Rebbe in Judaism? And how is it fundamentally different to leaders in other religions lihavdil?

Rabbi Jacobson will address these relevant issues in this week’s 114th episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied.

Other topics that will be discussed include overcoming urges, as well as follow up to women being the breadwinners, prioritizing on Shabbas Mevarchim, and dealing with unanswered questions.

Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in last year’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “Perfectly Imperfect: Self-acceptance for Calm Living” by Sholom Ber Crombie, “5 Clear Steps to Make Problems Work for You” by Menachem Mendel Fromer, and “Authentic Joy Is Within Reach and it Changes Everything” by Yeshaye Marantz. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays.

And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: On the cover page of Tanya, the Alter Rebbe writes that the Tanya is based opon the verse korov aylecho ha’dovor me’od b’ficho u’beevovho laasoso (”for this thing is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it”), explaining well how it is korov me’od (exceedingly near) b’derech arucha u’ktzara, in both a long and a short way. What is he meaning of these seemingly contradictory words “long and short way” – is the way long or short? Is this referring to two different forms of service, as discussed in Tanya (the “long way” – in chapters 16-17; the “short way” – in chapters 18 and on)? If so, what are the practical differences between the two? Since they are both legitimate methods, how do we know which method to use when?

This hour-long dose of insights 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 meaningfullife.com/mylife.

The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:
Chassidus Applied to Kedoshim and Beis Iyar?
Is Moshe and the Rebbe an intermediary?
What criteria should we look for in a presidential candidate?
Why worry about the president if G-d is running the show?
Defeating Your Snooze Button
Overcoming urges
Feedback and follow-up:
– Proof of G-d’s existence
– Shabbas Mevarchim
– Women as Breadwinner
– Unanswered Questions
Chassidus Question: What is the meaning of derech arucha u’ktzara?
MyLife Essays: Perfectly Imperfect: Self-acceptance for Calm Living, 5 Clear Steps to Make Problems Work for You, Authentic Joy Is Within Reach and it Changes Everything
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 meaningfullife.com/mylife

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