Personal Stories
What champagne is to celebration; what flowers are to romance; what music is to joy – a story is to life.
There are those that know the place. There are those that know the time. There are those that know the ritual. There are those that know the prayers. And there are those that know how to light the fire. We may not know the place, the time, the ritual, the prayer, or the fire. So we tell the story. A story, more than a recollection, is the bridge spanning past, present and future. A story reminds us, reignites us, and inspires us. A story isn’t merely told. A story is lived. Welcome to once upon a time.
Tetzaveh: Open Your Eyes
A personal story about a blind woman who rediscovered her Judaism and the great miracle that occurred afterwards.
Read More
Ki Tisa: Just a Friendly Reminder
A poem about snowfall demonstrating our vulnerability, but also strength, while heading towards an uncertain future.
Read More
Veyakhel: Jerusalem in White
A poem about a great snowfall in the Holy City of Jerusalem and the transformation that happened among its people and sites.
Read More
Kedoshim: West of Eden
The present issues in the world are sourced in longstanding religious and metaphysical conflicts which revolve around the physical and figurative Babylon.
Read More
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 More
Behar: How Do I Find a True Rabbi? Part 2
In part two of the answer to how one finds an authentic educator, Rabbi Simon Jacobson tells a personal story and discusses the shortcomings of modern education.
Read More
Vayera: Religious Selfishness
Abraham gave us the power to challenge G-d, asking Him to shift destiny. This we must when it comes to standing next to fellow Jews in defiance against G-d.
Read More
Vayeishev: Kislev 19 in Babylon
History is a continuum. Peace in our lifetime will only be possible if we make peace with the rifts of our past, acclimating the world to our own souls.
Read More
Shmot: Jerusalem Diary I
A detailed account of a trip to Israel (part I) with all of the emotions the Holy Land inspires.
Read More
Vaeirah: Jerusalem Diary II
A detailed account of a trip to Israel (part II) including a visit to the Old City and the Dead Sea and the meaning derived from them.
Read More
Mishpatim: The Inferno
Today, people spend too much energy fighting fires of apathy and cruelty that can be better used for growing and increasing happiness.
Read More
Tzav: Believers
Using personal anecdotes as well as Chassidic stories, Rabbi Jacobson examines the different types of believers in light of his previous article on atheists.
Read More
Passover: The Slavery of Freedom
While hardship and lack of material prosperity are challenging, the opposites – freedom, ease, and wealth – beget soul-numbing complacency.
Read More
Shemini: 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 More
Acharei Kedoshim: Transitions and Premonitions
A personal story about a man standing on the edge of the spiritual world is shared, followed by an examination of both spiritual and physical dimensions.
Read More
Behaalotecha: Mitchum
Parshat Behaalotcho discusses kindling the menorah that the flames rise on their own: recognizing G-d in our own lives by saying “im yirtzeh Hashem”.
Read More
Matot-Masei: Tzugekumene
Response to a provocative letter: ‘The feeling of “us” and “them” was an undercurrent in the interactions between FFB’s and BT’s or non-observant Jews’.
Read More
Passover: Back to Egypt
Reflections on a Puerto Rican Passover, the slavery of excessive freedom, and the search for the Divine inner light.
Read More
Nasso: Raw Ovol
For the first time in my 48 years I am an “ovol,” a griever. My father always knew he was on a mission. With the passion of a soldier he never wavered.
Read More
Can A Maskil Dance?
The ultimate purpose, is not to be smart and profound, but to be G-dly. Being sensitive and refined is not an end in itself but to be G-dly.
Read More
Chaya Sarah: Tattoos
Man can transcend seemingly permanent scars or wounds – both physical and psychological – and access the inner recesses of his soul.
Read More
Yom Kippur: The Kittel
Comforts and freedom often lead to complacency, but Yom Kippur reminds us simultaneously of our troubles and our triumphs, encouraging us to reflect on the mysterious cycle of life.
Read More
Simchat Torah: Bizarre Journeys
Wherever you go, as difficult as the journey may be it is all for a higher purpose: to redeem the Divine sparks that can only be found in that dark place.
Read More
Noach: 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.
Read More
Balak: The Ultimate Stand
A personal story of 2 events on the same day in 1927 and 1967 that shaped the spiritual commitment to Jewish life and history revealing G-d’s Divine plan.
Read More
The Destruction and Restoration of Dignity
He is still controlled by the dark demon within. He lives in world of shadows, seemingly always on the run. Escaping what? Himself above all. Why they call it “substance abuse” seems odd; it’s not abuse of the substance, but of yours.
Read More
Toldot: Beyond Life And Death
My granddaughter just arrived from another world, and has brought us a message of hope. Despite the tragic losses and senseless pain, beyond the incomprehension of it all, life is born yet again.
Read More
Beshalach: Moscow 2009
Yesterday, Moscow was destroying lives, today it is building them. Yesterday, Moscow all but annihilated Jewish life and morale. Today Jewish life is thriving here.
Read More
Behar-Bechukotei: Jerusalem 2009
Take the “scoundrel” by its throat and strangle it. Not with your hands or with violence, but with light. Strangle darkness with light. Asphyxiate pain with joy.
Read More
Bamidbar: The Blessing of Diversity
Like different musical notes in a large composition, each community, group or even individual, contributes his or her unique note.
Read More
Netzvim-Vayelech: Blackberry Unplugged
By pressing a button in one corner of our lives we set in motion a series of events that reverberate around the world; how you can hold infinity in the palm of your handheld device.
Read More
Vayechi: 2500 Seekers
Let us always remember that whomever you meet in the coming year will not be an accident. It will be an opportunity – a dual opportunity: For you to illuminate, inspire and warm that person’s soul, to inspire encourage that person to add and extra good deed; and for you to be illuminated and inspired in return.
Read More
Mishpatim: Shoveling the Snow
I look closer and stare at the vulnerable and gentle snowflake – and wonder what message it has brought to me this fine morning.
Read More
Thank You for Giving Me Back My Life
A moving letter of a survivor of childhood abuse who found out that her life is meaningful. Example of spirituality helping with overcoming child abuse.
Read More
Vistas: Doing the Best You Can
Behind the imperative of doing the best you can is the futility of doing anything more than you can. You breathe deeply and release a smile because you know that G-d wants no more from you than you are able to do and has already given you everything you need with which to do it.
Read More
The Rebbe and the Writer
A meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe provoked a surprising, heartfelt last article from a dying writer, Natan Yellin-Mur.
Read More
The Real G-d in Us: The Inner Self
The task of redeeming ourselves, our family and friends, and our society from the depths of debasement cannot be accomplished half-heartedly or perfunctorily. The real me, and the real you, the inner self are exposed when we are actively engaged in activities that better the lives of others and enrich our society.
Read More
The Candle of G-d
The candle of G-d is the soul of man. A charming story about that quote.
Read More
Spiritual Awakening and My Father’s Siddur
This is a personal story of a Jewish woman’s spiritual awakening. It is heartwarming, and a tale of reconnecting to older generations. A story of teshuvah.
Read More
Mr. Gennady Bogolubov
A speech by Mr. Gennady Bugolubov, a Russian businessman got involved in Jewish causes. He discusses his life change and spiritual awakening. A demonstration of the power of giving.
Read More
Loneliness: A Personal Essay
A personal essay on the power of prayer to fight loneliness. Learn to eliminate your loneliness through spiritual prayer.
Read More
How One Man Can Change the World
An excerpt from Steve Jobs’ commencement speech at Stanford. This is full of inspiring Steve Jobs quotes. Excerpted from Free Republic.
Read More
Dancing with the Torah
Dancing with the Torah caused the Torah to become deeply embedded into my life, part of the weave and warp of my being.
Read More
The Beilis Blood Libel
This letter from the Previous Rebbe reveals some fascinating details about the Beilis Trial and Beilis’ lead lawyer Osher Grusenberg. The Previous Rebbe shares details of the meeting he had with Grusenberg, and a moving story Grusenberg told him from his childhood.
Read More
Re’eh: From Jerusalem to New York – Diary
Written from New York, this reflective personal story captures Jerusalem in all its complexity: A city laden with history and ‘quintessential realities’.
Read More
Ki-Tavo: Continuing Journeys of a W(e)ary Traveler – Diary
A humorous personal story set in Schwenksville on Shabbat Parshat Ki Teitzei, the fifth of the ‘Seven weeks of comfort’.
Read More
My Encounter With The Rebbe
“When the Creator of the world gives us a gift, we must treasure it and defend it, and not look for ways to rid ourselves of it!” – The Rebbe
Read More
The Limitations of Space
Story of a wealthy scholarly man who became the disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch, Rabbi DovBer, & then lost all his wealth which begged the question why?
Read More
Shoftim: Abandonment & Reconciliation
Following the destruction of the Temple and the ‘Three Weeks of Affliction,’ come the ‘Seven Weeks of Comfort,’ in which the people are consoled and comforted for their great losses.
Read More
Mikeitz: Fanning the Flames
The Unplugged version of Samech Vov asks the relevant question: How does one’s fire remain when the inspiration begins to dim?
Read More
The Believer
The Lubavitcher Rebbe is a wise man, a learned man, but above all, he is a believer. And to meet a believer is an altogether different experience.
Read More
THE REBBE : The Ache in my Heart
While I continue to experience the Rebbe as a very active, involved part of my life, still, I miss the flesh & blood connection.
Read More
Hope Amid Cancer & Divorce
“Your site helped me to keep my focus on gratitude and the goodness of our Creator and my purpose in this life. You helped me to pull myself together…”
Read More
Celebrating My Birth 60 Years Later
The book, Toward a Meaningful Life by Simon Jacobson, helped me commit my life and coming year with intention and meaning.
Read More
Spiritually Thirsty
I was spiritually thirsty. Toward a Meaningful Life put my spiritual house in order and then everything else in my life fell into place.
Read More
Suicidal Thoughts
The words I read in Toward a Meaningful Life pierced through me and opened up a world of new possibilities and serene peace.
Read More
More than the Eye Can See: A Journey from Darkness to Light
In the past few years I have discovered that Judaism is more than the eye can see. It is a journey from darkness to light; the light of the Torah.
Read More
Reach. Not Preach.
Brazilian educator founded school based on Lubavitcher Rebbe’s timeless wisdom found in the Book Toward a Meaningful Life by Simon Jacobson.
Read More
A Chance Reading and Meeting
I picked up a book randomly sitting at my table and opened to any page, the words I read changed our life.
Read More
The Stutterer
In Parshat Shmot, Moses is revealed to be the first stutterer. Yet, he overcomes this challenge to become G/d’s communication channel to the world.
Read More
The Power Of Human Touch
The destruction of the second temple was caused by baseless hatred. Can we begin to repair this through the power of the human touch?
Read More
Drugs – Strange Fire
A soul burning with fiery passion is an incredible asset, but lack of self-control coupled with the pursuit of selfish desires lead to disaster.
Read More
Special Children
An email exchange between Rabbi Jacobson and the mother of a bi-polar son illuminates the concept of special children and their unique strengths.
Read More
Gentleness
A Q&A letter applying the story of Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock in Parshat Chukat to explain how to get through to blocked people
Read More
Adrenalin Rush
Having a passion, a purpose with a sense of urgency, is healthy not just for the soul but for one’s physical body as well.
Read More
The Ninth Flame
In pits of of Auschwitz a young boy and a gentleman light a ninth Chanukah candle, one so bright that it cannot be seen.
Read More
Open Your Eyes
A personal story about a blind woman who rediscovered her Judaism and the great miracle that occurred afterwards.
Read More
And Moses Gathered… My Georgian Genes
Find inspiration in Moses’ gathering the 600,000 Jews in Parshat Vayakhel to appreciate the great diversity within Judaism.
Read More
Bad Religious Experiences
True faith is a powerful force. Like a fire it has the power to warm and illuminate, but also the power to consume and destroy. When edging close to the fire great care has to be taken to ensure that you are able to take the heat and contain the light.
Read More
The Stranger
We are all “strangers” in this world. We are all “special children.” All in need and deserving of unconditional love.
Read More
Hidden Miracles Are Easy to Find
Join Rabbi Jacobson as he explores the anatomy of a miracle, and its role in our lives. Discover surprising facts about the “natural” forces that define the parameters of your experiences.
Read More
