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How to Live in Bliss: If I Can’t Feel the Pain, I Can’t Feel the Joy

Why Didn’t Jews Lose Their Faith? Reb Akiva, Eli Wiesel, and the Rebbe

1 hr 50 min

Class Summary:

This class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 11 Adar 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.

 

Please leave your comment below!

  • GS

    Gitty Stern -2 months ago

    wow so true

    Thank you so much, I really relate to laughing from the pain, and feeling a deep sense of love from inside the pain

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  • Anonymous -2 months ago

    This is one of the best classes I have heard.Thank you Rabbi for sharing such deep and important teachings

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  • Anonymous -2 months ago

    I don't understand are you saying the only we are truly happy is when we are close to Hashem. When we are connected ? 
    hwo do we live a life like that when we are not philosophers or torah scholars. ? 
    whar about marriage children etc. those are happy moments. ? 
    Breakups death sickness ??

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  • Anonymous -2 months ago

    Then there should be nocomplaints about horrific events that occur like Oct. 7.  One should acknowlege the infinite goodness of women getting raped and tortured and watched by their families.  There shouldn't even be talk of revenge.  That also goes for diseases and sickness.  It should be welcomed as infinite goodness.  .

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  • RP

    Rachel Pollack -2 months ago

    ישר כח

    So very moved by this shiur. Thank you for giving words to such a deep awareness!  

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  • H

    Had -2 months ago

    The Rama starts the section of shulchan

    Aruch with a "tomid" (keep Hashem before you ALWAYS)  and ends the section with a "tomid" (those who are ALWAYS happy have it well). What's the connection?

    Perhaps the sections are connected by CAUSATION,  i.e. one is the cause and the other is the effect.

    I.e. IF you keep the awareness of Hashem before you ALWAYS, you will ALWAYS have it good! 

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  • H

    Had -2 months ago

    "Purim koton is the last holiday

    Of the year". Really? Actually the regular Purim is the last holiday of the year. 

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    • Z

      Zalmen -2 months ago

      It's the last Holiday discussed in the Orach Chayim section of the Shulchan Aruch.

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  • H

    Had -2 months ago

    The Rama opens his commentary on the

    Shulchan oruch by saying not to pay heed to those who mock.

    Interestingly, Tehillim chap.1 ALSO starts with a warning not to pay heed to those who mock 

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  • RC

    Rachel Carlsen -2 months ago

    Question for Rabbi YY

    Thank you!

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  • RA

    ruth arons -2 months ago

    how do i gwt to last week's womens; class?

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

    • H

      Had -2 months ago

      Last week's class canceled due to snowstorm

      Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

Adar/Purim Katan Women's Class/Joy

Rabbi YY Jacobson

  • February 20, 2024
  • |
  • 11 Adar I 5784
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  • 2688 views

Dedicated by Sarah Malkie Simon commemorating the yartzeit of her dear husband R' Yitzchak Yaakov (Jerry) ben Moshe Simon, on the 4th of Adar Alef.

Dedicated in merit of Esther Avigayil bas Rochel Sarah, for her birthday on Shushan Purim Katan.

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