Uncategorized Archives - The Meaningful Life Center

Sukkot: The Power of Joy Amidst Uncertainty

October 4th, 2001•

Sometimes joy seems impossible but true happiness is a commitment to good which can overpower the greatest darkness.

Bereishis: Renewal, Not Just Survival

October 11th, 2001•

The concept of perpetual creation: Existence has no validity on its own and must be renewed each moment.

Chaya Sarah: Ishmael – How Does it End ?

November 8th, 2001•

The story of Ishmael son of Abraham – a story of aggression and banishment, but also a story that concludes with hope and redemption.

Toldot: The Plot Thickens – Jacob & Esau: Two Nations

November 15th, 2001•

How do you reconcile and integrate body and soul, matter and spirit – G-d and the universe? The answer is to infuse matter with spirit.

Mikeitz: Joseph's Treasure – The Refinement Process Begins

December 13th, 2001•

Joseph’s leadership sets the tone and gives direction for the work to come in refining the wealth of sparks in the world today, empowering this generation.

Vayigash: Joseph & Marx – Work & Alienation

December 20th, 2001•

Joseph possessed the unique power to integrate spirit and matter in an imperfect world where materialism dominates. Let us learn how this can be achieved.

Vayechi: End of Book One – Jacob Never Dies

December 27th, 2001•

Jacob and Joseph always remind us that we can overcome any challenge. When we hold onto our faith in G-d and His promises, then we will always prevail.

Shmos: Entering the Real World

January 3rd, 2002•

As the Book of Exodus begins, the Jewish plight transforms from local to global. Slavery teaches the nation of suffering and redemption.

Bo: Water, Egypt & September 11

January 17th, 2002•

An exploration of the Kabbalistic meaning of water and Moses’ connection to it. Today, do we feel safest on land or in water?

Yitro: Skyscraper – Where Heaven Meets Earth

January 31st, 2002•

At Mt. Sinai, the physical and spiritual worlds merged. The NYC skyline shows a man-made version of this, yet reminds us of the fragility of man’s work.

Mishpatim: Is Logic Logical? Our Changing World

February 7th, 2002•

A look at logic and superalogic in our world and why we feel connected to each.

Terumah: The Seventh Generation from Abraham to Moses

February 14th, 2002•

Moses, the seventh generation after Abraham, teaches us how to transform the world around us into a home for G-d.

Veyakhel: Chaos & Redemption

March 7th, 2002•

Parshat Veyakhel reveals the third step that empowers one to face any challenge- Exodus from oppression, Torah at Sinai, and building a Mishkan.

Vayikra: Where Are Our Leaders?

March 14th, 2002•

A lack of true leadership in present times may in fact be a call for all citizens of the world to discover the leader within themselves.

Tazriah-Metzorah: Interesting Paradoxes

April 11th, 2002•

The dichotomy between good and evil as well as truth and lies are discussed in the context of current world events and prevailing points of view.

Emor: Radiant Caution – On War & Love

April 25th, 2002•

The concept of loving discipline is examined in contrast to a discipline born out of fear and guilt, which is ultimately ineffective.

Behar-Bechukotai: The Ultimate Peace Plan

May 2nd, 2002•

Peace and security are guaranteed if we heed the word of G-d, but when we lose sight of our Divine calling, the world fall into despair and anxiety.

Shavuot: Esau, Ishmael, & Sinai

May 16th, 2002•

G-d approached the nations of the world thousands of years ago and offered them the Torah before being accepted by the Israelites. What are the modern implications of this?

Bahalotcha: The Journey

May 30th, 2002•

The Bible is filled with journeys, the greatest of which isn’t even completed in the 5 books; in this case the destination is created through the journey.

Matot-Masei: Three Weeks of Pain, Seven of Comfort, & Two of Return

July 4th, 2002•

Parshat Matot-Masei: 3 Weeks of Pain, 7 of Comfort & 2 of Return. Understanding the 3 Weeks of mourning in a chassidic discourse by Reb Hillel of Paritch.

Eikev-Nachamu: From Lebanon to Jerusalem – Diary

July 25th, 2002•

As he travels around Israel Rabbi Jacobson rediscovers all the historic sites that the world has tried to bulldoze over.

Ki-Teitzei: The Seven Weeks of Comfort

August 15th, 2002•

Following the three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temple, there is a seven week period of comfort which allows us to heal and renew our connection to G-d.

Rosh Hashanah: New Year 5763

September 5th, 2002•

Though the situation may seem grim we have the ability to transform it into a renewal of strength by seeing this for what it really is, a new world.

Sukkot: Has Anyone Found my Chicken on S. Monica Blvd?

September 19th, 2002•

On Sukkot we celebrate the unique opportunity that Yom Kippur offers us; to reconnect with your soul and G-d despite any previous transgressions.

Bereishit: Passion & Complacency

September 30th, 2002•

Let us set the world on fire, the fire of spiritual passion that transforms. Together let us create a true revolution: Passion with poise.

Noach: The Birth of Nations

October 10th, 2002•

Armed with the retrospective wisdom derived from the lessons of history – we must ask ourselves: Have we learned something? Are we listening?

Lech-Lecha: A Man of Certainty in Uncertain Times

October 17th, 2002•

Abraham discovered the only certainty in life: The absolute commitment to your Divine calling, the mission for which you have been uniquely chosen.

Vayera: G-d Said to Abraham: Kill Me a Son

October 24th, 2002•

Let us learn from Abraham and Isaac. When your love is infused with dedication to that which is beyond you, to the eternal – then you and your family too become eternal.

Chayei Sarah: Eulogy

October 31st, 2002•

The Arizal teaches us that each of us is allocated a certain number of Divine sparks that we are meant to elevate in our life journey.

Vayishlach: Are We Victims?

November 21st, 2002•

Prayer is the foundation –Faith then dictates and infuses you with the fortitude to do whatever it takes, everything humanly possible to ensure victory.

Shmot: The Art of Communication

December 26th, 2002•

In Parshat Shmot, Moses becomes the channel through which G/d speaks to Pharaoh and to His people, revealing the secret to communication.

Vaeirah: Kabbalah of Kabbalah

January 2nd, 2003•

Kabbalah reveals the secrets of the soul and a level of spirituality that brings vitality to day-to-day religious practices.

Beshalach: On Faith & Trust

January 16th, 2003•

In Parshat Beshalach, the Jewish People reveal their belief in G-d and Moses after hundreds of years in bondage that bolstered their faith and trust.

Mishpatim: Leadership with Love

January 30th, 2003•

A response to further questions about the infrastructure of shlichus dealing with leadership versus unity in this system.

Sh'lach: The Birth of Projection

June 6th, 2002•

In Parshat Shelach the scouts projected their feelings. We learn that through life’s challenges the question is not whether we can do it, but how we can.

Kislev 19 in Babylon

December 25th, 2003• 1 Comment

The power of Yud-Tes Kislev: two events on the same day 205 years apart – the Alter Rebbe’s release from prison & Saddam Hussein’s capture. The connection?

Terumah: Slippery Slopes

Weekly Op-Ed •March 4th, 2006• 4 Comments

What causes us to slip? Whether on ice or in a nervous moment, why do we lose our balance? The answer is explained scientifically and psychologically.

Vayeishev: Madoff And Holtzberg

Weekly Op-Ed •December 19th, 2008• 31 Comments

If money is the source of your power and security, than money will also be your source of destruction and disgrace. Because after all, money is transient, and anything transient can never provide the firm foundation of security.

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March 10th, 2014• 0 Comments

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Chukat-Gimmel Tammuz: The Silent Sun

Weekly Op-Ed •June 27th, 2014• 0 Comments

I miss the Rebbe. I cry for the Rebbe, a true man of G-d. In my heart and mind, he still speaks for hours upon hours, his countenance shining, sharing a taste of reality with us.

Thoughts to Comfort the Bereaved

Transcripts/Sources • 0 Comments

The Rebbe offers two parallel meditations from which those who are bereaved — who mourn for a dear departed, can take profound comfort.

The Torah Says

Stories • 0 Comments

Each year the Maggid of Trsik would begin the year by citing sources as proof that this is the year that the Moshiach would come, the year of redemption…

Waking Moment

Essays • 1 Comment

As soon as we wake from sleep we recite the Modeh Ani prayer, acknowledging that it is He who grants us life and being every moment of our existence.

The Rebirth of the Birthday

Essays • 0 Comments

Two great luminaries in the history of Chassidism were born on the 18th of Elul and in recent generations this date has been marked with significance.

Calendar in the Sky

Stories • 0 Comments

The wisdom of Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin began at a young age…

On the Non-Existence of Evil

Essays • 0 Comments

Parhat Ki Tavo includes the “Rebuke” (tochacha),of the Jewish people should they forsake the Torah commandments. Rebuke can be understood is various ways…

A Cup of Vinegar

Essays • 0 Comments

What is the connection between Shabbat and Amalek and why did the people of Israel have a problem with remembering both?

Thirst

Essays • 0 Comments

Before the Jewish people could enter the Land of Canaan they spent forty years in the desert. Indeed this was after a long a bitter exile in Egypt…

Evil: Two Translations

Essays • 0 Comments

The Torah unequivocally states: “See, I am giving you today the blessing and the curse”. Theologians and philosophers have oft debated the dichotomy of this

The Rich Partner

Stories • 0 Comments

In this miraculous story the request of one man is directly answered after he requests of G-d to uphold His duties.

The Times of Our Lives

Essays • 0 Comments

To the physicist it is the fourth dimension, to the mystic it is the first creation. To most of us, time is simply a faceless tyrant, an abstract dimension.

The Psalmist and the General

Essays • 0 Comments

Av and Elul, the eleventh and twelfth months of the Jewish year, are end to end in the calendar but worlds apart in character and temperament.

Heat and Cold

Essays • 0 Comments

When saying the amidah(“standing” prayer) the Talmud instructs us to beware of interruption..

The Heel

Shorts • 0 Comments

The heel, that which is stepped on everyday. Said Rabbi Banaah at the tomb of Adam: “I looked at his two heels, and they shone like suns”..

Below The Surface

Shorts • 0 Comments

One of the great chassidic masters once said: A chassid should be capable of the following three feats…

The Nullification of the Commandments

Essays • 0 Comments

There exists three stages of creation corresponding to three stages of observing the Torah law: The present world, the Messianic world and the world to come

Personal Politics

Essays • 0 Comments

Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Judah HaNassi would say… Be careful of the government, for they befriend a person only for their own needs.

Words of Rebuke

Shorts • 0 Comments

The book of Deuteronomy opens with Moses’ final message to the people of Israel..

Nature of Light – Part 2

3 Comments

Enjoy these Jewish mystical teachings on light, by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, best-selling author of “Toward a Meaningful Life”.

MyOmer App

April 21st, 2016• 0 Comments

MyOmer is more than a counter, it’s a story, an illumination – a journey through the human genome. This app is timeless and timely – it offers for the very first time a proven 3300 year system applied to contemporary life. A 49-step journey that is as exhilarating as it is challenging, as it opens up your emotions and provides you with new life skills and tools.

Upheaval and Change Part III

Weekly Op-Ed • 0 Comments

Unlike personal tragedy and loss, which affect the lives of individuals and those close to them, upheaval is large-scale disruption that imperils communities, destabilizes nations or even endangers the entire world.

Connect, Unite and Explore: An Evening Celebrating the Life and Legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Video •April 6th, 2022• 0 Comments

On Thursday, April 7, 7 PM EDT Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Senator Joe Lieberman, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Eli Marcus and others, join together for an evening to honor the Rebbe’s 120th Birthday.