Rethinking Free Will: Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s Guide to Transcending Circumstance
At times, life may seem controlled by factors outside our influence—family background, past experiences, global events, or even our own impulses. Yet, beneath the surface of routine and reactive living lies a liberating truth: you possess the ability to choose, to rise above every circumstance and write a new narrative. This profound message sits at the heart of Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s teachings on free will and personal dignity.
The Power of Choice: More Than Just an Illusion
Rabbi Jacobson challenges the frequent assumption that our paths are fully predetermined. Instead, he teaches that while certain life circumstances are set—the family we’re born into, the bodies we inhabit, the times we live in—our response is always in our hands. Every person is endowed with a spark: the conscious ability to change, to shape the story of today and tomorrow, not just accept the script handed down by yesterday.
Consider the story of a person raised in adversity who becomes a compassionate leader, or someone who grows up with every advantage but falls into self-doubt. These contrasting journeys highlight the dignity that comes from choosing your own response. This is the very essence of free will—not the freedom from challenge, but the freedom within challenge.
Beyond Circumstance: Free Will as Your Birthright
One of Rabbi Jacobson’s most empowering ideas is that the human soul is designed for transcendence. No matter how difficult the environment or persistent the habit, there is always potential to break free. What matters is not where you start, but where you choose to go from this point forward.
Think of someone who faces a setback at work and is tempted to become bitter or resentful. The moment they choose to reframe their setback as an opportunity to learn or pivot, they’ve exercised their truest freedom. Small, consistent decisions—holding your tongue during conflict, showing kindness when it’s inconvenient, pursuing a new path despite doubt—gradually reinforce your power over circumstance.
Practical Steps to Embrace Your Free Will
- Pause and Reflect: The next time you feel caught in a reactive cycle, take a deep breath and check in with your inner compass before acting. Even pausing for a few moments can break the flow of automatic responses.
- Ownership Journaling: Each evening, jot down one situation where you felt stuck or limited—and write how you could respond differently tomorrow. Over time, this daily reflection builds awareness and strengthens decision-making.
- Reframe Limitations: Instead of viewing obstacles as personal failures, see them as training grounds for choice. When a challenge surfaces, ask: What do I choose to do with this moment?
- Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People: Share your journey with others who also seek to create change in their lives. Supportive communities amplify our commitment to personal agency.
- Practice Micro-Decisions: Freedom doesn’t begin with massive shifts, but with small steps—a conscious response to irritation, a patient reply, a new healthy habit. These day-to-day choices chart the course for lifelong transformation.
Carrying Your Choices Forward
Choosing to transcend circumstance is not an abstract ideal—it’s a practical, daily act. By recognizing your innate ability to respond with intention, you honor your dignity as a human being and enliven the soul’s greatest gift. Today’s small decisions build tomorrow’s freedom.
For deeper perspectives and support on taking ownership of your life’s journey, explore more of Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s classes and wisdom at the Meaningful Life Center.
