Why are we so obsessed with happiness? It seems everyone is seeking it and no one is actually obtaining it. What gives? Rabbi Heschel Greenberg is joined by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center, for another unique discussion, sharing their experience with dealing with the unhappiest generation in history • Watch

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Fear is perhaps our greatest enemy. Not because it is loud and aggressive, but because it is invisible. Is there a person alive that does not suffer from some fear, known or (even worse) unknown? And what effects do our fears have on our lives – what impact does it have on our choices and ambitions, on our behavior, pride, jealousy, anger and so many other emotions? Can it even be measured? • Click to Read

We often ask for what we need but we rarely ask what we are needed for. Self-transcendence is the key to happiness. Take the focus off the “I” and watch your life become enriched and happy in every way. Rabbi Heschel Greenberg is joined by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center, for a unique discussion, sharing their experience with dealing with the unhappiest generation in history • Watch

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: There is a well known myth that Eskimos (or as they should be properly called by their respectable name, Inuit) have one hundred names for the word snow (in fact they have as many names for snow as we do in English). This urban legend is based on the belief that the language of different peoples reflects their unique experiences and cultures. Since Eskimos live in a predominantly snowy climate they developed many different words that express different aspects and variations of snow • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Who is the individual identified by the following clues? A man known by a name not given to him by his parents. Indeed, till this very day this man’s birth name remains unclear. Though he led a great nation, his people saw him as a stranger. A man of no words, yet his words become immortalized and are remembered forever like no other mans’ words. He spent his most formative years away from home – on the water, in a foreign palace and then in a distant land. But he came to build the most powerful home in existence • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Diversity is a hallmark of the human race. We inherently have different personalities. Our distinctions are not meant to be ignored or repressed. They are to be embraced. For it is through our multifariousness that we create the most beautiful music, the most eloquent mosaic • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Just as Jacob reconciles with his brother Esau after building his family in Charan, Joseph reconciles with his brothers after building his family in Egypt and establishing himself there. He spearheads the huge business of Egypt, selling grain to the famished nations in return for their money. The great wealth Joseph generates turns Egypt in a superpower, the most powerful empire of its time • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: “Men darf zich tzuheren vos di lichtelech dertzeilen” – we need to listen to what the Chanukah flames tell us – says the Rebbe Rayatz. But how do we listen to flames? We can see them; we can study and meditate on them. But light is a visual, not an audible, experience. A pure flame does not give off a sound. So how do we listen to the Chanukah flames? • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Just as we are about to settle down, another tragedy strikes. As things seem to be getting ‘back to normal’ (whatever normal is), another innocent life has been viciously torn from us in the streets of Jerusalem • Click to Read

Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director o the Meaningful Life Center, was invited to speak about his understanding of the meaning of Thanksgiving on Newsmax, a nationally syndicated news TV station • Watch

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Do you ever feel all alone wrestling with a mysterious ghost on a dark and desolate night? And when you are alone at night — both literally and figuratively, as in: alone in your own shadows — do you feel guilty like a thief or a gambler, or proud like an angel? Have life’s battles changed you? Have they wounded you? Perhaps left you limping? Do you recognize yourself, or are you covered in the “dust” of the material world you are consumed by? • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Is it worth investing effort to reach great heights when there is always the risk of failing? How many of us avoid trying too hard because our fear of failure? • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Nothing can function without a specific mission and purpose. Every business or other type of venture must have a mission statement, defining its goals and objectives. Without purpose there is no focus or efficiency, no accountability or accomplishment • Click to Read

In preparation for this year’s Kinus Hashluchim Haolami, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the famous Sicha of Chayei Sarah 5752, where the Rebbe MH”M recalibrated our focus on Shlichus, Rabbi Simon Jacobson, once a member of the team which transcribed the Rebbe’s sichos, speaks about his experience bringing this revolutionary sicha to print • Video

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Abraham, “father of all nations,” was the first true pioneer. He stood up to an entire selfish world and trail blazed a spiritual path to life, forever changing history. It was Abraham’s embrace of a higher set of values of love, generosity and service that forged the standard for the basic human rights that we take today for granted. What was Abraham’s secret? What shaped this man? From where did he derive the power and courage to defy the tide of his times? How can we emulate Abraham and acquire his courage in our own lives? • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: The High Holidays have come and gone and a new (Jewish) year is upon us. We have been immersed in inspiration and surrounded by meaningful days for the past two months. So.. now what? Where do we go from here? From the beginning, I guess • Click to Read

How much of your potential has been actualized? As you may have guessed, this is a trick question. Because we must first know how much potential we have before determining the amount that has been tapped. The real question then is: Do you know how much potential you contain? How deep is your soul? Or in the words of Alice’s Wonderland: How far down does the rabbit hole go? • Click to Read

These are spiritual days. By spiritual I mean days when we are less immersed in the daily quotidian of material survival, and more focused on the bigger issues of life: Why am I here? How do I deal with loss? Where are the souls of my departed beloved ones? What is the destiny of my and my family’s life? What does the future hold? • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: Compare the names of these two Torah chapters: Last week’s portion began, “when you will go out.” This week’s portion opens, “when you will enter.” Go out vs. enter: There are times and situations when we must “go out,” and there are times and situations when we must enter • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Director of the Meaningful Life Center: From West to East the shadowy ripples of the grand Tzimtzum’s black hole leave their mark in the rifts and tensions exposed by virtually every philosophy and school of thought • Click to Read

From the desk of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Founder and Director of the Meaningful Life Center: How can I find a healthy, meaningful and above all, permanent relationship? No adequate answer will be found to this question until we first understand what exactly a relationship is. The word “relationship” means two things relating to one another. But what is the essence of a relationship? What makes a relationship work? What ingredients are necessary? • Click to Read

Do you have a vision of your life in, say, 10 years? What dreams and aspirations would you like to see fulfilled? (And this is not about how much money you want to make…). Do you have an overall vision for your life, or is your life driven and defined by the needs and demands of the moment? • Click to Read

How do we reconcile faith and modernity? The spectrum of human religion and faith today is so vast and diverse. Each perspective offers their own opinions and thoughts on the issue of faith and modernity, but none address the core issue at hand. What is one to do? What does the Torah advocate? • Full Article

Rabbi Simon Jacobson, founder and director of the Meaningful Life Center, hosted a live webinar together with activist Eli Nash, where the discussed how to address challenges with mental health through the lens of Chassidus. The two hour recording of the webinar is now available to watch • Video