Ep. 554: How Does Tisha B’Av Capture the Paradox of a Jew?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
 Chassidus applied to Tisha B’Av 

• How does this day capture the paradox of a Jew? 
• Why are we still grieving? 
• What is the healthy way of mourning over loss while not being defined by it? 
• Should the main focus of this day be the sadness and grief over the destruction of the Holy Temple, or should it be the joy and happiness that the third Temple will be revealed and be greater than the first two? 
• Why was Moshiach born in the darkest moments of this saddest day of the year? 
• Why did the other sages not laugh like Rabbi Akiva; were they not aware of the future prophecy? 
• Is there a custom to do a “prank” on Tisha B’av as in the story with Reb Yisroel Ruzhiner? 
• Are we supposed to continue the mourning on the 10th of Av? 
• How important is unity in repairing the wounds of Tisha B’Av? 
• And how does that apply today to winning the battles with our enemies? 
• Can we apply Tisha B’av to healing from all forms of illness? 
• What is a balanced Torah approach to healing and medicine? 
• Should we listen to doctors who only medicate and do not address the soul? 

• What is the significance of Shabbat Nachamu? 
• Why the double Nachamu Nachamu Ami? 
• Why is the 15th of Av such a great holiday comparable to Yom Kippur? 
• What can we learn from the joyous events that occurred on this day to give us hope that we will endure and thrive despite the latest demonstrations of antisemitism? 
• Did the Rebbe say that the breaking of the axe also symbolizes that we have finished our work of refining the world? 
•  Why was public dancing permitted on this day? How is it consistent with strict standards of modesty followed today?

Nachamu/15th of Av How should we respond to questions about the recently publicized photo of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin? Follow-up