Meaningful Life Skills with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

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 w...

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 ...

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...

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 surren...

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 ...

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: ...

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, u...

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 h...

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 a...

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 ...

Do you feel like your life is chaotic—especially lately, with all the disruptions and upheavals?

Uncertainty seems to be the new norm, throwing us off balance, leaving many of us feeling confused, even overwhelmed.

Chaos can be disorienting. Sometimes it shakes us to the core. Other times, it gnaws at us quietly—we compartmentalize, minimize, escape. At best we work around and try to cope with chaos. But the inner turbulence remains.

...

How do we make sense of the turbulence and upheavals shaking our world today? Just glance at the stock market — a mirror of our times, swinging wildly with volatility, reflecting trade wars, tariffs, and global conflicts from Gaza to Ukraine. President Trump, in many ways, personifies this era of disruption.

But disruption is not inherently negative. The question is: how do we understand it?

Because one thing is certain — unpredictab...

We all seek healing from psychological and emotional wounds like childhood abuse, trauma, abandonment, and loss. These wounds create fears and insecurities, and undermine our trust, inhibiting us from reaching our potential. Often, we turn to destructive behaviors for relief. Addictions of all sorts may result from the deep void in our psyches. How many hours of therapy are spent, how many medications are ingested -- all attempting...

Frederick Douglass famously said, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." Can we even begin to estimate the staggering cost—financial, emotional, and societal—of fixing broken adults? Therapy, medication, addictions, ailments—endless attempts to numb the pain of fear, insecurity, dysfunction, trauma.

Imagine how much could be saved—how much suffering could be avoided—if we focused on building str...

Would you sign a contract without reading it? Would you make a serious commitment without first understanding the details and implications?

Most people would instinctively say, Of course not! First, we understand—then we act, then we commit.

And yet, the great paradox of life—the true secret to deep, lasting, and eternal connections—is precisely the opposite: commitment before full understanding.

This was the defining moment at Sinai,...

We speak much about freedom—but are we truly free? Bob Dylan famously sang, “Gotta serve somebody.”

You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance.
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You might be a socialite with a long string of pearls.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed.
You’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the Devil or it...

How much of your potential have you actualized?

That’s actually a trick question. Because the real question is: Do you even know how much potential you have? You can’t measure what you've actualized until you first recognize the vastness of your inner reservoir—your treasure chest of talents, skills, and gifts, both inherent and acquired.

This touches on a fundamental truth: each of us is blessed with unique abilities, shaped by ...

What is the secret to true happiness? Is it simply a matter of having positive experiences while avoiding pain? If that were the case, why do we see people who have endured immense suffering radiate joy, while others, blessed with easier lives, remain bitter and despondent?

Real happiness is not about escaping hardship or pretending challenges don’t exist. It’s not frivolous joy or denial. True joy emerges not despite pain, but alon...

What is holding you back from living up to your greatest aspirations, your dreams, your ideals? What is stopping you from actualizing your full potential? Is it fear? Bad luck? A lack of skills or motivation? Or perhaps it’s all of the above? Maybe there are even deeper, unseen forces—subconscious patterns, societal pressures, or past experiences—blocking your path without you even realizing it.

One thing is certain: Each of us year...