Meaningful Life Skills with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

In a striking parallel, this week’s Torah portion mentions hamas — not once, but twice. The world, it says, was filled with hamas: crime, robbery, violence.And here we are today, thousands of years later, we are painfully reminded that Hamas has not disappeared — it floods Gaza, it haunts our world, and it lingers, unresolved, two years after October 7th.What can we learn from the events of four millennia ago, when human corruption brought the great flood? What lessons does that ancient tragedy hold for our lives today? How do we respond, not just in relief or outrage, but in building something permanent, sustainable, and just? How do we protect ourselves from the raging floodwaters?Yes, we celebrate the release of the remaining hostages — a moment of relief, a glimmer of hope. Yet the deeper challenge remains: how do we confront this Hamas that doesn't seem to go away? How do we move beyond temporary solutions, beyond quick fixes and reactive measures, to create structures of justice, peace, and moral integrity that can endure in a lasting and transformative way?This is not a question for politicians alone, nor for armies, but for each of us. Every one of us may experience a "flood" that deluges us. This may take the shape of internal anxiety or fear, or hostile and corrupt forces around us -- concerns that can overwhelm us. Every act of courage, every effort to build character, every small step toward compassion and righteousness, becomes part of the ark we build that can weather the flood.The flood can be relentless, but so too can be our resolve. It begins with us — building strength, building hope, building an ark that no flood can wash away.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this timely and urgent conversation because as life has taught us, we all will face challenges that can flood our lives. The question is: will you be ready? How do we build an "ark" to insulate us from these floods?

Finding true comfort and healing in the face of life’s challenges is never easy. Each of us carries pain — personal struggles, family difficulties, disappointments, even trauma. And we all seek relief, not quick fixes or temporary band-aids, but lasting, sustainable solutions.For that, we turn to a 3,000-year-old blueprint: what we call The Divine Art of Healing — Seven Steps to Comfort.In Part One, we discovered the first step — the “C” of COMFORT: Connect. How genuine connection becomes a powerful catalyst for healing and consolation.Now, in Part Two, we continue the journey with the next steps: the O and the M — Open your heart and Make space.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore how these steps, embedded within the very word comfort, offer us a timeless path to healing, growth, and inner peace.

In times of pain, we often struggle with what to say or do. And we all face such moments — loss, trauma, death, tragedy, setbacks.We’d like to avoid suffering, but it is part of life. In our search for comfort, we may turn to denial, therapy, medication — even unhealthy escapes that numb rather than heal.There is, however, a timeless path — a proven method of healing that goes back over 3,000 years. Let's call it The Divine Art of Healing: Seven Steps to Comfort. More than words, more than actions — it is a blueprint for genuine consolation and resolution, hidden within the very word comfort itself:C — Connect.O — Open your heart.M — Make space.F — Feel.O — Offer light.R — Reassure.T — Transform.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson over the next several weeks as we explore each of these steps — tools to bring solace not only to yourself, but to others. Because in this world, there is no one who does not need comfort — and no one who cannot give it.This week we explore the first of these seven steps: Connect. How healthy connection and attachment is a powerful agent of healing.

Hope. What would life be without it?Without that inner confidence — that no matter what happens, things can get better. That even when something breaks, it can be mended. Rebuilt. Renewed.But where does hope come from? Why are we so drawn to it? Is it just wishful thinking — something we cling to because the alternative is too bleak? Or is there something deeper at work?Hope is not fantasy. It’s not naïve. It’s the voice of the soul — reminding us that we’re never stuck, never alone, never beyond repair.But how do we access and cultivate that voice, especially in times of darkness?These are not just abstract questions. They touch the very core of our lives. Because when you have hope, you have strength. You have direction. You have the power to rise again.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the mystery and the promise of hope. Because your song must never stop singing.

We’ve all cried in life.Loss, disappointment, heartbreak — tears born of deep pain and inner anguish.But the real question is: What do you do with your tears?Sadness can crush us. It can demoralize, paralyze, even break our spirit. But it can also awaken us. It can stir growth. It can become a catalyst for transformation.In truth, your life is defined not only by the joyous moments, but by how you respond to the difficult ones — how you carry yourself in the darkness, how you channel your tears.Tears are inevitable. But they are not meaningless. They can be seeds — planted in the soil of the soul, destined to bloom into something greater.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this essential discussion as we explore the soul’s journey from pain to purpose.

Why are some religious people so obnoxious? I hear this question often. It’s no wonder religion gets at times a bad rap. And it does seem strange, doesn’t it? If faith is meant to elevate us, shouldn’t it make us more refined, sensitive, kind, and gentle?Yet time and again, we see people—sometimes in the very name of religion—acting in ways that are anything but inspiring. Of course, no one is perfect. But this is a serious issue we can’t ignore.Religion has shaped civilization for millennia and still plays a central role in countless lives. Yet religion and faith, like all beautiful and powerful experiences, can be abused and distorted by flawed human beings, which in turn has caused so many to have a deep distrust of religion—and of religious people. Some even carry profound wounds—what we now call religious trauma. What we need to learn is how not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for an honest, vital conversation to understand why religion, which should bring light, so often casts a shadow. And more importantly—how we can move past the pain, discard our toxic experiences and reclaim our spiritual integrity and rebuild a healthy faith that heals instead of harms.

Can you live forever?This is a question human beings have asked since the dawn of time. From the ancient pharaohs, who buried their wives, families, and treasures with them in the hope of securing eternity, to today’s cryogenic freezing of DNA and other strange attempts to discover the fountain of youth—people have tried everything imaginable to outsmart mortality.Look around us: the booming pharmaceutical industry, Botox, plastic surgery—all driven by the desire to slow down, mask, or even reverse the aging process. We spend fortunes trying to look young, to feel young, to hold back the inevitable. But despite all this, has anyone truly figured out how to conquer death, the ultimate end of mortal life?And yet, beneath all these efforts lies a deeper longing. Every one of us yearns to make an impact, to leave a lasting, eternal mark on this universe. We don’t just want to exist—we want to matter forever.Is that really possible? Is there a path to a life that transcends time?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this essential and timely conversation that touches each of us at our core. Together, we’ll uncover the spiritual principles that reveal the path to true immortality.

If you looked at a region plagued by war for thousands of years, what would you conclude? That peace is impossible? That conflict is inevitable?That’s the case with the Middle East—a land soaked in blood and tears, going back to biblical times. From the battles around the Promised Land, to the destruction of the First and Second Temples, to the Crusades, to centuries of conflict between Muslims, Christians, and Jews—it seems like a region doomed to eternal strife.And yet—that’s not the full story.Yes, the Middle East has been the cradle of war. But it’s also the birthplace of the three great monotheistic faiths. And that is the key.This is not just a geopolitical or territorial conflict. It is a spiritual one. And the true resolution will not come through politics or power—but through the fulfillment of a deeper, divine vision: a world of harmony, not just peace. Unity without erasing our differences. A time when "nation will not lift sword against nation," and Jerusalem will become a beacon of light for all humanity.That is the end of the story.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital conversation because the peace of the Middle East is not just their story—it’s all of ours.

Now that Israel and Iran have agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the question on everyone’s mind is: What comes next?Will this ceasefire hold?Will Iran truly abandon its nuclear ambitions?Will it recognize Israel’s right to exist, cease developing ballistic missiles, and genuinely pursue peace?Or is this simply a pause — a strategic delay in a deeper, ongoing conflict?We’ve yet to hear any form of unconditional surrender, as some have demanded. So we ask: Is this the beginning of something new — or just the calm before another storm?The best-case scenario? A true and lasting peace. Imagine: a Middle East no longer defined by conflict, but by cooperation, coexistence, and mutual respect. A shift so profound, it would reshape not just a region, but the entire world — ushering in a new global order grounded in unity and dignity.The worst case? The tensions persist. But even then, history teaches us: every war ends. Ultimately we will enter a new Messianic age. The question is — how quickly?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the deeper meaning behind this moment — the spiritual, historical, and geopolitical implications of this conflict and victory. Let’s uncover what lies ahead in this historic crossroads, and its cosmic meaning.

We are living in historic times. The war that began between Israel and Iran on June 13th is more than just another conflict — it is a turning point in history. This isn’t a battle that began weeks ago, or even decades ago. It’s the latest chapter in a millennia-old struggle — a war that has shaped and shaken the Middle East for centuries.Now, for the first time, a new horizon is emerging. Imagine a Middle East without war. Without terror. Without fear. Nations once at odds — now building, cooperating, cross-pollinating. It may seem impossible, but it is no longer a fantasy. We are witnessing the labor pains of a new world being born.As with every transition, there is pain. And our hearts grieve every life lost. But in the larger picture, the dismantling of evil clears the path for something greater: a world of possibility, of growth, of light.This is not just geopolitical. It’s cosmic. Emotional. Spiritual. We are standing at the threshold of a new era.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this urgent and timely talk addressing Operation Rising Lion: The War That Will Define the Future of the World.

Are you living a life that expresses your true individuality—or are you conforming, imitating, living someone else's script? Are you singing your own song, or the one others handed you?Too often, our lives are shaped not from within but by the expectations of parents, peers, society—external forces that define who we are, or who we should be.One of the most heartbreaking truths is captured in Oliver Wendell Holmes’ haunting words: “Alas, for those who die with their song still inside them.”Some of us don’t even realize we have a unique song—because we’ve been conditioned from early on to silence it, to fit into molds not our own.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a vital conversation: How to discover your voice. Your authentic self. The inner flame that rises on its own. You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.

How would you rate your self-esteem? Your self-confidence?And I don’t mean arrogance or ego. I’m talking about something far deeper — a quiet dignity, a calm confidence, a sense of being truly comfortable in your own skin. A deep awareness of your own inner nobility.You can be brilliant, emotionally intelligent, even gifted in countless ways — but without that inner sense of worth, those gifts will always remain somewhat distant, underutilized, even hidden. Because if you don’t believe in yourself, how can your strengths shine?So the question is: How do we build that inner dignity? Is it even possible — especially if you grew up in a home or community that didn’t instill it, or worse, undermined it?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a vital discussion on how to uncover the divine majesty within you.

Do you have commitment issues?These days that phrase has become almost a cliché. A convenient excuse. You hear it all the time—serial daters saying, “We’re together, but don’t expect a commitment. I have... commitment issues.”For some, commitment feels like a burden. Like a noose around the neck. “Why tie myself down?” they say. “I need an exit strategy. I want to keep the back door open.”I once met a guy who told me—proudly—that he had finally achieved what he called a “relationship milestone.” He said, “I’ve figured out how to be with my girlfriend... without being committed to her.” I asked, “Does she know that?” “Not yet,” he said, smiling.We’ve come to see commitment as a liability, when in truth, it’s one of the greatest gifts we can experience. Commitment is not just a moral obligation—it’s what gives life weight and meaning. It means that something—or someone—is no longer optional. It matters. It shapes who we are.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson to explore the sefirah of Yesod and delve deeply into commitment and connection, and how vital they are to living the healthiest possible life.

Would you consider yourself a humble person?Most of us would agree that humility is a virtue—something noble and worth aspiring to. And for good reason. A humble person coexists peacefully with others. Humility allows for flexibility, for yielding. It builds bridges and fuels healthy relationships. Arrogance, on the other hand, breeds conflict, distance—even abuse.So why is humility so rare?Some may challenge the very premise and actually argue that humility might be a nice concept in theory but it's not realistic. They believe that life is driven by the "the selfish gene" -- self interest and self preservation. You need to have a healthy sense of self to fight for yourself, because if you don't protect yourself who will? You need an ego to survive and thrive.But let’s pause. Let's go deeper.If humility is so vital, so clearly valuable in our relationships, our communities, and even in our own peace of mind—why is it so elusive? What lies beneath this resistance?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson on a surprising and counterintuitive discovery: That humility is not weakness, not passivity, and not self-negation. It is much more than modesty and selflessness. It is about opening yourself up to experiencing a reality greater than yourself and your subjective perspectives. True humility is power. The power of nothing being greater than something.

Is resilience something we’re born with—or is it something we learn? Why is it that when life throws challenges our way—setbacks, failures, disappointments—some people bounce back faster, while others struggle to find their footing? Is that strength hardwired into them, or is it something we can all develop?This question touches every one of us. No one is immune to pain—be it a broken dream, a betrayal, or a deep personal loss. We all face moments that shake us. The real question is: How do we heal? And even more so—where do we find the strength to keep going?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this vital discussion as we continue to journey through the 49 steps of the Omer. Focusing on Netzacḥ, the attribute of determination, resilience, and endurance, we will explore how to access that inner strength embedded deep within the soul and uncover how this can empower us not just to survive the storm, but to rise from it stronger, more focused, and more connected to our purpose.