Ep. 500: How Should We React to the Rescue of the Four Hostages?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:

• MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 500
• Tribute to Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky a”h
• How should we react to the rescue of the four hostages?

• What happened on this day 3336 years ago?
• Why is it important for us to honor it?
• What is Torah?
• What is Torah from G-d's perspective?
• Why was the Torah not given at the beginning of creation?
• Why is it called Mattan Torah? Why is G-d giving us a gift?
• Why did the Jews have to restrain themselves for three days before Mattan Torah?
• Why don’t we dance with the Torah on Shavuot as we do on Simchat Torah?
• Did we receive the Torah willingly or were we coerced?
• Why is saying naaseh v’nishma considered such a big thing?
• Why were crowns placed on the heads of the Jewish people at Sinai, and why did the angels and not G-d Himself place these crowns on their heads?
• What is the significance of a crown (keser)?
• What is the difference between the two levels of Keser, arich and atik?
• How does the Rebbe Rashab explain the idea of keser in Hemshech Ayin Beis?
• Why did G-d offer the Torah to the other nations?
• Was it possible that the Jews could have chosen not to receive the Torah?
• What lessons do we learn from Mattan Torah in our present lives and challenges?
• What shape were the tablets?
• Why do we read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot?
• Is the last week of Sefirah, when we focus on malchus, connected with Moshiach?

What does Shavuot teach us today?