“You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your G-d, am holy.” This opening verse in this week’s Torah portion contains some of the most profound lessons in life. It dispels fundamental myths about G-d. It teaches us the meaning of true love. It uncovers our enormous potential. It empowers and inspires us to change the world • By Rabbi Simon Jacobson • Read More

Rabbi Simon Jacobson: We are now in the month of Nissan – a time of miracles. The Jewish people experienced many miracles in this month, beginning with their miraculous exodus from Egypt, which was accompanied by many miracles… People often talk about miracles. There are firm believers that miracles happen in our lives, and firm skeptics and non-believers. But before we discuss and debate the issue, wouldn’t it be wise to first define the meaning of a miracle? • Read More

What defines greatness? A closer look at the significance of Shabbat HaGadol, the traditional name for the Shabbat preceding Passover – can perhaps shed some light on the meaning of greatness. And also give us a laugh or two – hey who can’t use a bit of humor?… • By Rabbi Simon Jacobson • Read More

Dear Rabbi Simon Jacobson, I was very uplifted by your class, The Counterintuitive Secret to Happiness and The Secret of Finding Joy. The way you explained the power of joy resonated deeply. Yet, I find it extremely difficult to implement these principles into my daily life. I was just laid off my job, my long-term savings have been depleted, to boot I grew up in a dysfunctional home, which I am always healing from, and there are many other factors in my life that are hardly a cause for happiness. Indeed, I feel as if I am perpetually sad, with a few sporadic spurts of short-lived joy bouncing up here and there. I often feel as though I have been hardwired without joy or happiness. Some people seem to be naturally cheerful. And some of us seem to be inherently despondent if not miserable • Read More

By Rabbi Simon Jacobson: The Bible tells us that G-d decreed upon the sea that it should never cross over onto land. “This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt.” How then can tsunamis and floods exist, when the waters cross over this seemingly impassable boundary? What happened to the decree that the “proud waves” go no farther that their own domain?! • Read More

Rabbi Simon Jacobson: Twenty-two years passed from the time that Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery until the moment when they reunited. 22 years! One could have expected that Joseph would have been so angry that he would never forgive his brothers. Think what you would do if your siblings tried to kill you and then sold you into captivity as a pitiful slave, abandoning you for the rest of your life! • Read More