Home & Family
After many hours of looking for food, a bird returns to its nest, taking comfort in its warmth and safety. Your home and family are your nest.
Your home & family are the hub around which everything evolves . But what does it take to build a healthy home, and a harmonious family? What are the meaningful elements? What is the role of parents? And what of children? We hire architects and contractors to design and build beautiful physical structures. How do we design and build beautiful spiritual structures? What can I do to truly feel at home, or to enhance the home I have already built?
Emor: How Do I Find a True Rabbi? Part 1
Rabbi Simon Jacobson answers a critical question: how does one find an authentic, truthful educator when it comes to Torah learning?
Read MoreVayechi: Do our Shadows have Substance?
Embracing the duality of life in both its light and dark dimensions may not lead to nirvana, but will allow one to peacefully navigate the dynamic waters.
Read MoreShemini: Religious Selfishness
Using personal anecdotes, Rabbi Jacobson explores of the side effects of practicing religion by rote, and the beauty of a true “religious” experience.
Read MoreNasoh: Balance
Understanding tiferet (balance) in Parshat Nasoh: balance between spirit & matter; body & soul; and love (chesed) & discipline (gevurah) in relationships.
Read MoreVayeitzei: Before the Battle
Jacob’s descent to Charan and subsequent struggles in Laban’s household represent our own difficulties in this world, and indicate the necessity of bringing light to the darkest places.
Read MoreThe Dust of History
The cosmic struggle to reconcile spirit and matter are captured in the story of Jacob and Esau and the battle between these two opposing forces.
Read MoreFather: I Will Ask You
Rabbi Jacobson tells a story about his own Passover growing up, intertwined with a discussion about the four questions and the experience of life.
Read MoreChukat-Balak: Wealth Question
The value and significance of questions, opinions and feedback; and the time-old question whether parents should bequeath their wealth to their children.
Read MoreNoach: Raging Waters
Not only are we never given a challenge we cannot overcome, but from Parshat Noach we learn that every challenge brings us to an even greater height.
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