Meaningful Life Skills with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

One of the greatest questions of life is this: How do we respond to destruction?Every one of us will face setbacks, losses, disappointments—even, G-d forbid, profound tragedy. The question is not whether pain will enter our lives, but what happens after it does.How do we face trauma? Experiences that overwhelm us, shake us to our core, and leave us wondering if we will ever be the same again. Some people are broken by such experiences. Others survive, but carry invisible scars for years. And then there are those remarkable souls who emerge stronger, deeper, and more compassionate than before.What is their secret?Humanity has invested unimaginable resources trying to answer that question—through medicine, therapy, psychology, self-help, and every imaginable means of easing the pain, quieting the anxiety, and healing the wounds of the human spirit.But is there a deeper answer?Let's explore this question not through isolated experiences or quick fixes, but by looking at the larger story of humanity. Let's examine what has truly endured. What has enabled individuals—and entire civilizations—not merely to survive destruction, but to transform it into growth and renewal.There is perhaps no greater case study than the Jewish people.As we approach Tisha B'Av, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, we remember the destruction of our Holy Temples and centuries of exile, persecution, and loss. The Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and countless others sought to erase us from history.They are gone.We are still here.How?What gave a small, vulnerable people the resilience not only to survive but to continue creating, building, and bringing hope to the world?The answer lies in the profound message of Tisha B'Av itself.The day that commemorates destruction also contains the seed of redemption.The day our hearts were shattered also reveals how brokenness can become the birthplace of our greatest strength.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we uncover one of life's most essential secrets: How do we transform destruction into redemption?

Looking at life as a journey transforms the way you see every experience. It places each moment within the unfolding narrative of your soul—a story told through many chapters, like a film composed of countless frames.Whether your days are filled with joy or burdened by struggle, every experience has its place. Nothing is random. Nothing is wasted. It is all part of the journey.As the Chassidic masters teach, every descent is for the sake of a greater ascent. Even our falls become stepping stones, lifting us to heights we could never have reached otherwise.Now we arrive at the seventh and final installment of our series, The 42 Journeys of Life.This is the end of the wilderness—where the journey finally reveals its purpose. Looking back from birth through childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, midlife, and the later years, we have explored each stage of life's odyssey.These are not merely the journeys of our ancestors. They are your journeys and mine. The forty-two journeys of the Jewish people from Egypt to the Promised Land are the spiritual map of every human life.And now we come to the conclusion.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the final four journeys—Journeys 39 through 42. While this brings our series to its close, it is not the end of your journey. Quite the contrary. It is the beginning of walking your path with deeper wisdom, greater purpose, and the confidence to embrace wherever life leads you next.

The journey of life now enters its final stages.Life is an odyssey—a sacred journey filled with twists and turns, soaring heights and painful valleys. There are moments of profound joy: births, marriages, graduations, and milestones that fill our hearts with gratitude. And there are moments of loss, disappointment, trauma, and struggle, as we confront the harsh realities of a fractured world.It is a journey through the wilderness.But when we step back and view our lives as a whole, something remarkable happens. The scattered moments become chapters of a single story. We gain a bird's-eye perspective and begin to see that every challenge, every triumph, every detour has been leading us somewhere.Welcome to Part Six of our seven-part series, The 42 Journeys of Life: The Final Wilderness—When Life Strips Away Everything but Truth.Our lives mirror the forty-two journeys of the Jewish people as they traveled from Egypt to the Promised Land. We, too, leave our personal Mitzrayim—our inner constraints and narrow places—and make our way through life's wilderness toward our own promised land, the place where our deepest purpose is fulfilled.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson on this fascinating, illuminating, and empowering journey.

The journey of life continues.The moment you begin to see your life as a journey, everything changes. What once appeared to be disconnected episodes suddenly becomes a single unfolding narrative—a story with many chapters, filled with ascents and descents, twists and turns, moments of joy and moments of challenge. Nothing is random. Every experience is another step forward.A journey toward your own Promised Land. A journey toward becoming the person you were created to be.This perspective transforms the way you see yourself and your experiences. Instead of being trapped in the urgency of the moment, you begin to see your life in its larger context. Every setback carries a lesson. Every victory carries a purpose. Every stage prepares you for the next.This is the great journey of life.And, as we have been exploring, it unfolds in forty-two distinct stages, reflected in the forty-two journeys the Jewish people traveled through the wilderness. Their journey is our journey. Their map is our map.So now, my friends, we arrive at Part Five of our seven-part series, The 42 Journeys of Your Life: The Harvest Years—Aging, Wisdom, and the Ripening of the Soul.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we continue this remarkable journey together. As we learn to recognize the rhythm of life's changing seasons, we become better equipped to navigate its challenges, appreciate its blessings more deeply, and ultimately embrace the unique opportunities hidden within every stage of the journey.

The 42 Journeys of Life – Part 4: Middle AgeThe Quiet Question of Midlife: Is This All You Are Meant to Be?How do you reach the Promised Land?Each of us carries dreams, aspirations, goals, and a vision of the life we hope to build. We all seek success, fulfillment, happiness, and purpose. But what is the path that leads us there? Is there a map for navigating life's twists and turns?The Torah's answer is yes.Before the Jewish people entered the Promised Land, they traveled through the wilderness, passing through forty-two distinct journeys. These journeys were not merely historical events; they are the blueprint for every human life. Each of us must travel our own wilderness, facing challenges and setbacks, triumphs and breakthroughs, moments of uncertainty and moments of inspiration.In this fourth installment of our seven-part series, The 42 Journeys of Life, we arrive at the pivotal stage of Middle Age—the season when many begin to hear the quiet but persistent question:"Is this all I am meant to be?"Having traversed the first twenty journeys—the formative years of childhood, the excitement of growth, and the early challenges and struggles that shape our character—we now enter a new chapter. A chapter of reflection, reassessment, and deeper self-discovery.Every stage of life brings its own lessons and opportunities. The key is to recognize where you are on the journey, understand the unique challenges of that stage, and learn how to navigate them with wisdom and purpose.Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the next phase of the wilderness journey and discover how every step, every challenge, and every transition is part of a greater path—leading us toward our own Promised Land: the fulfillment of our mission and the actualization of our deepest potential.

Life is a journey. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the 42 journeys of the Jewish people through the wilderness are mirrored in the 42 journeys each of us travels in our own lives.And a wilderness is exactly what life can feel like. We enter a world that is often untamed, unpredictable, and at times even hostile. Our mission is to transform this wilderness into a home for the Divine.But not all stages of the journey are the same.In our early years, we are sheltered. We grow under the protection of parents, family, teachers, and loved ones. Even when challenges arise, we are buffered by the security of home.As we mature, however, we venture further into life's wilderness. The adversaries become more formidable. The tests become more personal. The stakes become higher.The first twelve journeys are closer to civilization, the challenges are easier. But beginning with the thirteenth journey, we enter into more dangerous territory. The Torah describes it as a "great and fearsome desert," a place of snakes, scorpions, and thirst. The travelers are now entering the harsher realities of life.It is no coincidence that at this stage they begin traveling with the Ark and the Sanctuary in their midst. When the terrain becomes more difficult, we need greater spiritual resources. We do not enter life's battles unarmed. We carry with us our deepest values, our faith, our purpose, and the sacred truths that guide us through the darkness.So it is in our own lives. As we grow older and take on greater responsibilities, we need greater strength. The challenges become more demanding, but so do the opportunities to build, create, and transform.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for Part Four of our seven-part series, The 42 Journeys of Life: Will You Build a Home—or Just Live in One? For it is precisely in the wilderness that we discover our power not merely to survive, but to create a sanctuary—a home for ourselves, our loved ones, and the Divine presence in this world.

Life is a journey. In fact, the great mystic the Baal Shem Tov teaches that each of us travels through 42 distinct journeys in the course of our lives. The 42 journeys the Jewish people traversed in the wilderness, as recorded in the Torah, are not merely ancient history; they are a map of the human soul and a mirror of our own life's voyage.Every stage, every twist and turn, every ascent and descent, every triumph and setback is part of a larger choreography. When you begin to see your life not as a series of disconnected events but as a purposeful journey, patterns begin to develop and it starts to make sense. The challenges do not disappear, but your ability to navigate them is transformed. You recognize that every step, every encounter, and every obstacle carries within it an opportunity for growth and discovery.In Part Two of our seven-part series, The 42 Journeys of Life, we continue the expedition. Having explored the first five journeys—the formative years in which our identity begins to take shape—we now enter journeys six through twelve, where we begin to develop the tools to confront adversity and discover our inner strength.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for Part Two: The Forces That Try to Break You Before You Become You—an exploration of the early challenges that test us, shape us, and ultimately reveal who we are meant to become.

In the second year [of the Exodus], on the 20th of the second month, the cloud rose from the Tabernacle of Testimony. The Israelites thus began their travels, [moving on] from the Sinai Desert [until] the cloud came to rest in the Paran Desert. This was the first journey at G-d’s word through Moses (this week’s Torah portion – 10:11-14)Thus began the 13th of the 42 journeys through the wilderness. After the Jewish people camped at Sinai on the first of Sivan 2448, they remained there for close to a year (exactly 10 days less than 12 months), until the 20th of Iyar 2449, when the cloud rose, signifying the time to move on.After the Torah elaborates on the events that transpired from the time the Jews arrived at Sinai on the first of Sivan 2448 (in the chapter Yisro in the book of Exodus), through the building and erection of the Temple on the first of Nissan 2449 (the latter chapters of Exodus), through the entire book of Leviticus and the first two and a half chapters of Numbers, the Torah resumes the story and begins to relate the series of journeys traveled by the Jewish people in the wilderness. The rising of the cloud in this week’s portion is essentially continuing the story where it was left off at the end of Exodus, when the cloud first descended on the Tabernacle.As we now begin to read the story of the long and tedious journey, we bring you the first installment of a new series from Rabbi Jacobson, that outlines the psycho-spiritual 42 journeys that each of us go through in our own lives.

Jack, Charles, and Henry — three successful business colleagues — go out on a rowing trip. One is a financier, another a high-tech executive, and the third a prominent attorney. As they row across the water, Jack suddenly falls out of the boat.Charles and Henry panic. They stretch out their hands and cry, “Jack, give me your hand! Give me your hand!” But Jack doesn’t respond.Then Charles changes his words. “Take my hand!” Immediately Jack grabs hold, and they pull him to safety.Henry turns to Charles, puzzled. Charles smiles and says, “You have to understand — Jack doesn’t know how to give. He only knows how to take.”And that raises a profound question for each of us: Are we takers, or are we givers?It’s not an easy question. We live in a world driven by survival, competition, and self-interest. We are conditioned to believe that the more we take, the more secure and successful we become.But perhaps the opposite is true.Perhaps the tragedy of being a taker is not only what it does to others — but what it does to us. Because when you only take, you never truly discover who you are.Giving is not weakness. Giving is the ultimate expression of strength. It is the way we actualize our deepest potential. A giver is not defined by what they lack, but by what they possess within — the ability to contribute, to nurture, to illuminate, to transform. The more you give, the more you become.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital discussion and discover: How do we move from being consumers of life to creators of life? From takers to givers?And that makes all the difference. That change of attitude and direction -- from the inside out, instead of the outside in -- changes everything.

Do you believe in love that lasts forever?It’s a beautiful idea—the language of films and novels. We all long to find that one person we can love endlessly. But is that truth, or is it just a dream? After all, everything in this physical world changes. It ages, it fades, it comes and goes.So what makes love different? Why would love be the exception?This is not just a philosophical question—it shapes everything. The choices we make, the commitments we’re willing to fight for. If everything is temporary, how deeply do we invest? Why give ourselves fully to something that won’t last?And yet, we can’t let go of the idea. Something in us insists that love can be eternal.So is it real—or is it illusion?The answer depends on one thing: what do you mean by love?

In trying to take the pulse of our times, one senses a deep tension in the air — both personally and globally. It’s a strange paradox. On one hand, humanity is experiencing unprecedented prosperity, technological breakthroughs, breathtaking advances in AI, longer life expectancy, and medical miracles once unimaginable. Each day seems to unveil another revelation.And yet, beneath it all hangs a cloud of uncertainty.Perhaps it became most acute during COVID in 2020, but the tremors began even earlier — rapid technological change, political upheaval, social disruption, a world shifting beneath our feet. We are living through an age defined by one word: disruption. And disruption unsettles the human spirit.Because human beings long for stability. We want to know where we stand. We seek coordinates, direction, predictability. When so much feels unknown, anxiety quietly settles beneath the surface: What will tomorrow bring? What kind of world are we handing to our children?And so the question becomes: How do we navigate in such times? How do we remain balanced and grounded when the world around us feels increasingly unstable?This is not merely a personal struggle. It affects our families, our communities, and the global human family.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in exploring timeless wisdom and immortal tools that have guided human beings through uncertainty, upheaval, and crisis for generations. Discover the method to living with strength in unstable times.

Two boys grow up as best friends. They share their childhood, their classrooms, their dreams. The bond carries them through their teens, their young adult years, even into their thirties.Then something happens. A disagreement. A rupture. And they stop speaking.Years pass. Decades. They grow old and, by some twist of fate, find themselves in the same nursing home—still silent, still distant.Their children plead with them: “You were once inseparable. You don’t have many years left. Why not reconcile?”One of them responds, “If I speak to him, he’ll think he was right.”They ask, “What did you fight about?”Neither of them remembers.

Oil plays a pivotal role in today’s battles in the Persian Gulf—between the United States, Israel, and Iran. It is not merely a resource; it is the lifeblood of the modern world. Whoever controls its flow, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, touches every corner of the globe. It fuels economies, and in many ways, it fuels this very conflict.But the story does not end there.As we explored last week, the deeper dimension—the Kabbalah of Oil—reveals that beneath the visible battles lies a hidden one. A spiritual struggle, ancient and ongoing, that oil itself comes to embody. What appears as geopolitics is, at its core, a contest over deeper forces shaping our world. The story begins with Abraham and his children, Yishmael, Isaac, Esau and Jacob -- who were all born and bred in this Middle East region. It should therefore not come as a surprise that a  disproportionate concentration of oil is hidden under the ground of this region -- reflecting the vast potential contained therein.The response to last week's discussion was powerful, and it calls for us to go further.In this second part of The Kabbalah of Oil, we will dig deeper into the spiritual root of oil; why it is so concentrated in that region, how it has shaped history for thousands of years, and what it means for us today, both globally and personally.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we uncover not only the power beneath the earth, but the power within ourselves—the inner resources waiting to be unleashed. Because to understand this battle is to begin to understand how it can be transformed.And ultimately, how true and lasting peace can emerge—for that region, and for our world.

With headlines dominated by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—the narrow gateway through which so much of the world’s oil and natural gas flows—we are inundated with analysis: What will the United States do? What will Iran do? What will Israel, Europe, the global powers decide? The noise of daily events is relentless.But in all this, we risk losing sight of the deeper question, the most important question of all: Why?Why is it that the Middle East—just a sliver of the earth’s surface, roughly 3.4% of the global landmass—contains close to 60% of the world’s known oil reserves and over 40% of its natural gas? Is this merely coincidence? Or is there something deeper at play in a region that has stood at the crossroads of history, conflict, and destiny for thousands of years?Consider what oil truly represents. It is not just a commodity, it is the lifeblood of modern civilization. It fuels our transportation, powers our homes and industries, sustains agriculture, and shapes the very infrastructure of our lives. The world quite literally runs on it.And then consider this: in 1908, one of the first major oil discoveries in the region was made in southwestern Persia, in a place called Masjed Soleyman—named for King Solomon, and tied to a region steeped in profound spiritual history. You’ll be surprised to learn how the breaking news was delivered about this discovery of oil, through a coded message from the book of… Psalms!Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this vital discussion as we ask the important questions: Is it all coincidence? Or is there a deeper design, an intersection of the material and the spiritual, the physical resource and its inner meaning? When we step back and look beyond the headlines, when we uncover the secrets hidden in oil, we begin to uncover a broader, more profound picture—one that sheds light on the cosmic, historical, and spiritual forces shaping our world today.

Is there a formula to end war? Is there a true and lasting path to peace—a global peace that silences the cycle of hostility that has haunted humanity since the dawn of history?It sounds utopian. It sounds like a dream.Yet as war continues to rage in Iran, and as the holiday of Passover approaches, we are invited to look deeper into our most ancient texts to discover that peace is not a fantasy, but a blueprint. A blueprint for a world where nations can rise above conflict, where human beings can find harmony and common ground.But to get there, we must go to the root, not merely treat the symptoms.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we journey beyond headlines and history, and uncover the timeless vision that has the power to reshape our world from its very core. Let us cup our ears and listen to the piercing words of the prophets Isaiah and Micha — and their incredible relevance to current events. Together, we will explore what it truly means to beat swords into plowshares—not as a distant dream, but as a living, breathing mandate—and how each of us plays a role in transforming a fractured reality into one of unity and purpose. From ancient wisdom to present-day urgency, discover how vision becomes action, and how, ultimately, action becomes victory.  

Dedicated by Irina KomissarenkoIn honor ofmy dearest Mama, G-D Bless her until 120!Sponsor a global webcast in honor or memory of a loved oneIt is difficult to overstate the historic—even cosmic—significance of the current war.This is not just another conflict. It is unfolding in the very cradle of civilization, the Mesopotamian region, where human history and the earliest biblical narratives began. The Garden of Eden, our first moral drama, is rooted in this very soil, between the Euphrates and Tigris, spanning ancient Persia and its neighbors.This land has always been more than geography; it is the stage upon which the human story—birth, struggle, faith, and conflict—has continuously played out.Consider the story of Esther. The Purim narrative unfolds in Persia, then the world’s superpower, spanning 127 provinces. And now, once again, the echoes return.As we move from Purim toward Passover, from Persia to Egypt, we are drawn back to the same region—centered around the Land of Israel, with Jerusalem at its heart. Empires have risen and fallen here, yet the tension never disappears.It is easy to reduce this moment to politics, economics, or personalities. But something far deeper is at work.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we take a closer look—beyond headlines and into the soul of the moment: where prophecy meets policy, and ancient echoes resound in today’s crisis.

Should the United States and Israel have launched a war against Iran? It’s a question many people are asking. It has stirred intense debate, controversy, and even wild conspiracy theories. But let’s step back and try to address this in a sober, rational, and thoughtful way—without politics, without propaganda and slogans, and without the noise that so often clouds our judgment.Perhaps the real question begins even earlier. Before we ask whether this particular war is justified, we must ask a more fundamental question: What is the case for war at all? War is bloody, painful, and tragic. There is nothing desirable about it. No one truly wants war. No one dreams of sending their sons and daughters to fight on a battlefield. So why do wars exist in the first place? And is any war ever legitimate?There are those, like Mahatma Gandhi, who argued that war is never justified—even when one is attacked. According to that view, violence should never be met with violence. But history forces us to confront a difficult moral dilemma: if aggression threatens innocent lives, is it always moral to stand down? Or are there circumstances where defending life may require force?So before we rush to conclusions, we need to establish a framework. What are the criteria that make a war morally justified? What principles should guide such a decision? Once we have that clarity, we can then apply those standards to our current situation. Doing so allows us to cut through the rhetoric, the pundits, the disinformation, and the distortions that dominate public discourse.Only then can we ask the real question: Do operations like Epic Fury and Roaring Lion stand on solid moral ground? Because history teaches us something very important—clarity of purpose is essential. When a nation lacks that clarity, it loses direction. Vietnam is a powerful example of a conflict where the absence of a clear moral and strategic framework led to confusion and ultimately failure.But when there is moral clarity, it creates focus, unity, and purpose. And that is why the first step is not choosing sides, but understanding the principles.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson to explore together the deeper question: What is the true case for war—and does it apply here?

It is uncannily providential that the events unfolding right now in Iran — ancient Persia — are echoing events that took place nearly 2,400 years ago in that very same region.And it is all happening as we celebrate Purim and Shushan Purim, a story that centers entirely around Persia.It was in the days of Achashverosh, as we read in the Book of Esther, a Persian king, who ruled over 127 provinces. His minister named Haman incited him, calling for the genocide and annihilation of every Jew; men, women and children. And then, in a stunning and miraculous reversal, everything turned around. Not only were the Jews saved but they were able to eliminate all the enemies that called for their extinction.That is the story of Purim.And here we are today, literally happening now. In the same region. At the same time of year. A regime and leader named Khamenei (so similar to Haman) that for years has called for the annihilation of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. And once again, events are turning. Once again, history is pivoting before our eyes, and the Persian Haman of our times has been eliminated. And we pray — this time once and for all — that we will achieve genuine and lasting peace.Coincidence? Or Divine choreography?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this critically important discussion: Purim and Persia — Then and Now as we explore the parallels, and above all, the lessons. Because when you step back and see the bigger picture of history, you begin to understand the small picture — our personal lives, our challenges — and how they shape the future of our world.

You know the one where the fellow who says, I used to think I’m indecisive… now I’m not so sure.It makes us smile. But for many, it’s not just a joke.Do you struggle with making decisions? So many people speak about procrastination, second-guessing, commitment issues — the constant back-and-forth. Bottom line: the inability to be decisive, to come to a decision and move on one way or the other.At times it’s amusing. At times it’s annoying. And at times, it’s far more serious. How many important life decisions have we pushed off? Delayed? Avoided? Sometimes to our own detriment and even to the detriment of others.Indecisiveness is not just a personality quirk. It’s something that needs to be addressed and understood. Is it coming from a deeper place within us? Or is it something more superficial; fear of failure, fear of commitment, fear of losing options?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the deeper roots of this dilemma, the inability to decide. You may be surprised to discover that the struggle to choose is not just psychological, but also spiritual at its root.

Here’s a million-dollar question: What can you do to become a happier person?Who wouldn’t invest time, energy, even resources, to find a reliable formula for happiness? Imagine how many problems would dissolve if we simply knew the method.And yet no one has ever handed us a guaranteed formula. Why?We live in an age where everything is accessible. Products, programs, promises—pleasure delivered at the click of a button, pain avoided with the right purchase. If we can order bread, medicine, or technology instantly, why can’t we order happiness the same way?Because we are looking for it in the wrong place.We treat happiness like a commodity—something to acquire, consume, possess. But happiness is not an object you chase; it is a byproduct of how you live.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson to explore the paradox and discover that the people who are truly happy are not obsessed with being happy. They are committed to something beyond themselves—purpose, meaning, service, contribution. The moment happiness becomes the goal, it slips through your fingers. But when you live with intention and dedicate yourself to something larger than your own gratification, joy emerges naturally.Remember: Happiness cannot be pursued.

Humans are naturally enthralled and seduced by the irresistible allure of the "crystal ball"—the fantasy that we can press a button, consult a guru, or find a magic formula to peek behind the curtain of tomorrow. It’s a tempting illusion, but it is a childish one.The truth is, the most important and profound dimensions of existence are invisible. Truth, love, soul, purpose, values -- they transcend our five senses; they aren't experienced by sight, sound, taste, touch or smell. They lie beneath the surface, but define everything. Think of a powerful tree -- blossoming from the invisible seeds planted and watered beneath the ground; the healthy adult resulting from the quiet love and nurturing of a child by its parents.As long as you are searching for a "trick" or a shortcut to see the future, you will never develop the internal tools necessary to build that future. Growth isn't found in a magic button; it’s found in the unseen forces that shape all reality. We don't acquire these indispensable strengths; you can't cause a flower to grow by pulling it out of the earth. When you do what is necessary, the flower emerges in a process that can't be forced.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this vital discussion as we explore why the most significant growth in your life is driven by things you cannot see. Discover how to access those hidden powers, and transform how you look at yourself and the world around you -- from the inside out, rather than the outside in.

Do you have the courage to live authentically? Do you ever feel that you’re performing—living a life shaped less by who you are, and more by what others expect of you?By what they demand, request, or define as who you should be?Parents shape us with expectations. Educators leave their imprint. Friends influence us. Society applies its subtle, and not so subtle, pressures. Over time, we learn how to play the role well.But how much of your life is an act?How much of you is living a script that is not truly yours?And perhaps more unsettling: you may no longer know the difference. When a role is played long enough, it can feel like identity. You assume a personality, a way of being, that may have little to do with your authentic self.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson and explore how to move from performance to essence, from role-playing to the real you. It takes courage—real courage—to ask these questions. And even more courage to act on them. Because you may discover that the real you has been undercover, hidden, never fully acknowledged, validated, nurtured, or encouraged.

What price would you pay for a formula that will help free you of your fears, insecurities, and inhibitions—the inner forces that restrain you and prevent you from becoming who you were meant to be?Each of us is shaped—and often trapped—by powerful influences: peer pressure, parental critique, childhood wounds, adult trauma. These forces can lock us in place, keeping us from spreading our wings and living with full confidence.There is one question that has the power to set you free. A question that doesn’t demand a quick answer, but an honest one. A question that cuts through the noise, dismantles fear, and reconnects you with the core of who you are.This life-transforming question is: why were you born? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as he explains how living with purpose turns your life into a proactive one instead of a reactive one. And that makes all the difference. Purpose— knowing why you were born—creates direction and urgency, which in turn counters all fears and challenges that come your way. It allows you to take control of your life, instead of circumstances controlling you. It helps reframe your past, clarify your present, and redirect your future, reminding you that you are not here by accident and that your life carries a unique responsibility only you can fulfill. 

As we enter a new year, consider this powerful question: What potential within you has yet to be revealed? What would it mean to draw from your inner resources something unprecedented, to become more than you have been until now?That is a transformative way to enter a new year.Life lives in three dimensions: past, present, and future. Growth means honoring where we’ve been, understanding where we are, and daring to envision who we can become—materially, emotionally, spiritually, and in our relationships.So on this threshold moment, standing between what was and what can be, ask yourself: What is waiting to be unleashed?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this special New Year’s program as we explore how to unlock the potential within you that has yet to be expressed. This is your moment to step beyond who you were and begin becoming who you are meant to be.

When my uncle was a small child, he once woke in the middle of the night, gripped by fear of the dark. Trembling, he ran to his mother, my grandmother, and said, “Mommy, I’m afraid.” She embraced him, soothed him, and then gently told him, “Go back to bed and remember: be afraid of nothing but G-d.”Calmed, he returned to sleep. But half an hour later, he was back shaking. “What are you afraid of now?” she asked. He answered simply, “I’m afraid of G-d.”That story captures something deeply human.We all encounter nights in our lives—moments of darkness, loneliness, uncertainty—that make us tremble. Darkness has a powerful hold because it conceals, it obscures, it feels mysterious and threatening.The mystics ask: Is darkness merely the absence of light or does it have its own substance? Either way, it confronts us and demands a response.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this fundamental conversation about facing those darker corners of our lives and discovering a profound truth: even in the dark, you are never alone. And that ultimately, darkness is the greatest light of them all.

I speak to you with a heavy heart in the aftermath of the cold-blooded and brutal murders of our brothers and sisters—colleagues, friends, families—on the first night of Chanukah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. We are all shaken, shocked, and devastated by the sheer evil inflicted upon innocent men, women, and children.Our hearts ache for the sacred souls taken from us, and for the shattered families left behind. We offer our deepest prayers for the wounded to experience a complete and speedy healing.Yet beyond the pain, an agonizing question confronts us. How could such darkness erupt on the Festival of Lights—at the very moment when we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness? At that moment, it seemed as though darkness had prevailed.We find ourselves at the threshold of a new year, a season when we seek meaning, love, and hope amid the many challenges of our lives. And now we are compelled to ask: How do we look directly into the face of such evil and not turn away? How do we emerge stronger, more resilient, and more deeply defined by our values than ever before?This is a challenge we face in every generation, but it becomes especially urgent in the wake of such senseless tragedy.I invite you to join me as we explore how to carry the light forward—how to cross into the new year with purpose, courage, and moral clarity, and how to discover a deeper, more enduring light even within the abyss of pain and loss.

If you had an X-ray of your soul, what would it reveal?Today’s technology can map every contour of the body; X-rays, CAT scans, endless diagnostics that expose the inner mechanics of our biology. But when it comes to the psyche — to the soul, the seat of your identity and the engine of your entire life — where is that scan? The body is but the vehicle; the soul is the driver. So what does a healthy soul look like?Just as a physical X-ray shows strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing adjustment, imagine having the same clarity about your inner world. Without a picture and a blueprint how do we grow? How do we heal? How do we navigate pain, anxiety, or the challenges that life inevitably delivers?This is the central question of all emotional and spiritual work: Do our therapists, doctors, and coaches possess a true map of the human spirit or are we all stumbling in the dark, guided only by intuition and experience?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore a deeper truth: that there is a divine blueprint, an X-ray of the soul — a map that allows us to decode the psyche and realign heart, mind, and spirit.

Is who you are defined by what you do? Is your self-worth measured by your net worth? These questions strike at the very heartbeat of life — at what truly drives us.Are we physical beings who occasionally embark on a spiritual journey, or spiritual beings navigating a physical world?Much of our lives is consumed with survival; eating, sleeping, working, shopping, socializing. Yet what of our higher needs? Our dreams, our aspirations, the search for meaning, the purpose of our existence? It is all too easy to get lost in the means and forget the end.From our earliest years, society, education, and even our families train us to perform, to achieve, to excel but rarely to reflect on why. Why do we strive? Why do we labor? What is the purpose behind our efforts?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this vital conversation and together, we will explore how our everyday actions — our work, ambitions, and relationships — can be transformed into vessels of transcendence and higher purpose. We will uncover how to align the material and the spiritual, so that everything we do resonates with the eternal within us. This is a conversation about reclaiming meaning, living not merely for achievement or comfort, but for a life that reflects the deepest truths of our being, and awakening to the profound potential of every moment.

How much do our family dynamics shape our lives?Today we recognize more than ever that from our earliest, most impressionable years, the attitudes and environment of our homes—whether positive or negative—leave a deep imprint on our psyches. Picture a warm ball of wax: every experience, every word, every gesture becomes etched into it as it cools and hardens, accompanying us into adulthood.Our childhood traumas…Our moments of beauty…The nurturing we received, and the nurturing we didn’t…The functionality—and the dysfunctionality—of our homes…All of these weave themselves into the fabric of our lives in profound ways.As we approach Thanksgiving—a time when many gather with family—it’s worth pausing to reflect. Family can be a source of immense warmth, connection, and joy. But it can also stir discomfort, tension, and old wounds.So let’s explore this together. Let’s dig deeper into what family really means, how these dynamics shape us, and what we can do to navigate them with greater awareness and healing.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this important conversation: When Family Hurts: The Hidden Emotions Around the Family Table.

We’ve all witnessed it — those chilling moments when a crime unfolds in broad daylight and people simply walk by. A car slams into a bicyclist. The rider lays motionless on the pavement, and tens of passersby keep moving as if nothing happened. Another time, someone is being mugged in full public view — and no one lifts a finger.But what’s even more disturbing is the follow-up reaction. Some people don't even see this insensitivity as a problem. I once spoke about this in a public lecture, and a man raised his hand: “Why should I care? It’s a dog-eat-dog world. Survival of the fittest. I have my own problems. Most people wouldn’t help me — so why should I help them?”A painful question. Yet beneath it lies a truth we don’t want to face: injustice is happening around us constantly. Children are being bullied right now. People are being hurt, even killed — and countless others stand by, complicit in their silence, numb in their indifference.So why should we care?What responsibility do we bear for one another?And what does our reaction — or lack of reaction — reveal about the state of our souls and the condition of our society?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this urgent and deeply personal exploration. This conversation is not a critique; it is a wake-up call. A call to reawaken our conscience, to pierce the shell of apathy, to recognize the integral connection and responsibility we have for each other, and to rediscover the power each of us holds to bring light into a darkened world.

What happens after we die? Does life simply end, or does it continue in a dimension beyond our comprehension—one our senses can barely fathom? Sight, sound, taste, touch, smell—these tools we rely on every day are too limited to perceive the true reality that lies beyond.This question has confronted humanity since the beginning of time: Is there life after death? This is not merely an abstract curiosity—it shapes the way we live today. How we spend our time, the values we cherish, the relationships we nurture, the ambitions we pursue—all are profoundly influenced by our understanding of life’s ultimate trajectory.To live with meaning, we must ask: Where did we come from? And where are we going, beyond the narrow confines of our daily existence? What is the purpose of this life if it is not connected to the eternity of the soul?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a conversation that goes beyond the surface of mortality, exploring the journey of the soul from this life into the next. Together, we will contemplate what it means to live in the light of eternity and how that awareness can transform the way we experience every moment of our lives.

Do you ever feel your life is spinning beyond your control — that things just happen, and you’re merely a bystander?Or, perhaps on the other extreme, you feel fully in control — that you alone determine your fate.These two poles have defined human thought for millennia. On one end, a religious fatalism that says: “God runs the show; we’re just living out the script.” On the other, Ayn Rand’s Objectivism — the creed of radical individualism: “No one controls me but me.”So who’s really in charge — us, God, or both? Do we truly have free will, or is our path already written? And if both play a role, how do we find the harmony between divine destiny and human choice?Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a penetrating exploration into individuality and God — and discover how, far from being at odds, they actually complement one another.

How powerful is your comfort zone? And what effect does it really have on your life?The very word comfort evokes warmth and security — a sense of being settled. But if you think deeper, you’ll discover that comfort zones are one of life’s greatest traps. They keep us confined to the familiar — to the status quo, to inertia.Every genuine form of growth — personal, emotional, or spiritual — happens only when we step beyond that zone. Growth doesn’t have to come through pain or loss; it simply means moving beyond where you are right now. That’s the essence of transformation. That’s metamorphosis.Paradoxically, the secret to all growth lies in discomfort — in daring to leave what feels safe.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore this vital truth about growth and discover how to break free from the limits of the familiar, awaken your true potential, and begin living the life your soul is meant to lead.

In a striking parallel, this week’s Torah portion mentions hamas — not once, but twice. The world, it says, was filled with hamas: crime, robbery, violence.And here we are today, thousands of years later, we are painfully reminded that Hamas has not disappeared — it floods Gaza, it haunts our world, and it lingers, unresolved, two years after October 7th.What can we learn from the events of four millennia ago, when human corruption brought the great flood? What lessons does that ancient tragedy hold for our lives today? How do we respond, not just in relief or outrage, but in building something permanent, sustainable, and just? How do we protect ourselves from the raging floodwaters?Yes, we celebrate the release of the remaining hostages — a moment of relief, a glimmer of hope. Yet the deeper challenge remains: how do we confront this Hamas that doesn't seem to go away? How do we move beyond temporary solutions, beyond quick fixes and reactive measures, to create structures of justice, peace, and moral integrity that can endure in a lasting and transformative way?This is not a question for politicians alone, nor for armies, but for each of us. Every one of us may experience a "flood" that deluges us. This may take the shape of internal anxiety or fear, or hostile and corrupt forces around us -- concerns that can overwhelm us. Every act of courage, every effort to build character, every small step toward compassion and righteousness, becomes part of the ark we build that can weather the flood.The flood can be relentless, but so too can be our resolve. It begins with us — building strength, building hope, building an ark that no flood can wash away.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this timely and urgent conversation because as life has taught us, we all will face challenges that can flood our lives. The question is: will you be ready? How do we build an "ark" to insulate us from these floods?

Finding true comfort and healing in the face of life’s challenges is never easy. Each of us carries pain — personal struggles, family difficulties, disappointments, even trauma. And we all seek relief, not quick fixes or temporary band-aids, but lasting, sustainable solutions.For that, we turn to a 3,000-year-old blueprint: what we call The Divine Art of Healing — Seven Steps to Comfort.In Part One, we discovered the first step — the “C” of COMFORT: Connect. How genuine connection becomes a powerful catalyst for healing and consolation.Now, in Part Two, we continue the journey with the next steps: the O and the M — Open your heart and Make space.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore how these steps, embedded within the very word comfort, offer us a timeless path to healing, growth, and inner peace.

In times of pain, we often struggle with what to say or do. And we all face such moments — loss, trauma, death, tragedy, setbacks.We’d like to avoid suffering, but it is part of life. In our search for comfort, we may turn to denial, therapy, medication — even unhealthy escapes that numb rather than heal.There is, however, a timeless path — a proven method of healing that goes back over 3,000 years. Let's call it The Divine Art of Healing: Seven Steps to Comfort. More than words, more than actions — it is a blueprint for genuine consolation and resolution, hidden within the very word comfort itself:C — Connect.O — Open your heart.M — Make space.F — Feel.O — Offer light.R — Reassure.T — Transform.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson over the next several weeks as we explore each of these steps — tools to bring solace not only to yourself, but to others. Because in this world, there is no one who does not need comfort — and no one who cannot give it.This week we explore the first of these seven steps: Connect. How healthy connection and attachment is a powerful agent of healing.

Hope. What would life be without it?Without that inner confidence — that no matter what happens, things can get better. That even when something breaks, it can be mended. Rebuilt. Renewed.But where does hope come from? Why are we so drawn to it? Is it just wishful thinking — something we cling to because the alternative is too bleak? Or is there something deeper at work?Hope is not fantasy. It’s not naïve. It’s the voice of the soul — reminding us that we’re never stuck, never alone, never beyond repair.But how do we access and cultivate that voice, especially in times of darkness?These are not just abstract questions. They touch the very core of our lives. Because when you have hope, you have strength. You have direction. You have the power to rise again.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the mystery and the promise of hope. Because your song must never stop singing.

We’ve all cried in life.Loss, disappointment, heartbreak — tears born of deep pain and inner anguish.But the real question is: What do you do with your tears?Sadness can crush us. It can demoralize, paralyze, even break our spirit. But it can also awaken us. It can stir growth. It can become a catalyst for transformation.In truth, your life is defined not only by the joyous moments, but by how you respond to the difficult ones — how you carry yourself in the darkness, how you channel your tears.Tears are inevitable. But they are not meaningless. They can be seeds — planted in the soil of the soul, destined to bloom into something greater.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this essential discussion as we explore the soul’s journey from pain to purpose.

Why are some religious people so obnoxious? I hear this question often. It’s no wonder religion gets at times a bad rap. And it does seem strange, doesn’t it? If faith is meant to elevate us, shouldn’t it make us more refined, sensitive, kind, and gentle?Yet time and again, we see people—sometimes in the very name of religion—acting in ways that are anything but inspiring. Of course, no one is perfect. But this is a serious issue we can’t ignore.Religion has shaped civilization for millennia and still plays a central role in countless lives. Yet religion and faith, like all beautiful and powerful experiences, can be abused and distorted by flawed human beings, which in turn has caused so many to have a deep distrust of religion—and of religious people. Some even carry profound wounds—what we now call religious trauma. What we need to learn is how not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for an honest, vital conversation to understand why religion, which should bring light, so often casts a shadow. And more importantly—how we can move past the pain, discard our toxic experiences and reclaim our spiritual integrity and rebuild a healthy faith that heals instead of harms.

Can you live forever?This is a question human beings have asked since the dawn of time. From the ancient pharaohs, who buried their wives, families, and treasures with them in the hope of securing eternity, to today’s cryogenic freezing of DNA and other strange attempts to discover the fountain of youth—people have tried everything imaginable to outsmart mortality.Look around us: the booming pharmaceutical industry, Botox, plastic surgery—all driven by the desire to slow down, mask, or even reverse the aging process. We spend fortunes trying to look young, to feel young, to hold back the inevitable. But despite all this, has anyone truly figured out how to conquer death, the ultimate end of mortal life?And yet, beneath all these efforts lies a deeper longing. Every one of us yearns to make an impact, to leave a lasting, eternal mark on this universe. We don’t just want to exist—we want to matter forever.Is that really possible? Is there a path to a life that transcends time?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this essential and timely conversation that touches each of us at our core. Together, we’ll uncover the spiritual principles that reveal the path to true immortality.

If you looked at a region plagued by war for thousands of years, what would you conclude? That peace is impossible? That conflict is inevitable?That’s the case with the Middle East—a land soaked in blood and tears, going back to biblical times. From the battles around the Promised Land, to the destruction of the First and Second Temples, to the Crusades, to centuries of conflict between Muslims, Christians, and Jews—it seems like a region doomed to eternal strife.And yet—that’s not the full story.Yes, the Middle East has been the cradle of war. But it’s also the birthplace of the three great monotheistic faiths. And that is the key.This is not just a geopolitical or territorial conflict. It is a spiritual one. And the true resolution will not come through politics or power—but through the fulfillment of a deeper, divine vision: a world of harmony, not just peace. Unity without erasing our differences. A time when "nation will not lift sword against nation," and Jerusalem will become a beacon of light for all humanity.That is the end of the story.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital conversation because the peace of the Middle East is not just their story—it’s all of ours.

Now that Israel and Iran have agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the question on everyone’s mind is: What comes next?Will this ceasefire hold?Will Iran truly abandon its nuclear ambitions?Will it recognize Israel’s right to exist, cease developing ballistic missiles, and genuinely pursue peace?Or is this simply a pause — a strategic delay in a deeper, ongoing conflict?We’ve yet to hear any form of unconditional surrender, as some have demanded. So we ask: Is this the beginning of something new — or just the calm before another storm?The best-case scenario? A true and lasting peace. Imagine: a Middle East no longer defined by conflict, but by cooperation, coexistence, and mutual respect. A shift so profound, it would reshape not just a region, but the entire world — ushering in a new global order grounded in unity and dignity.The worst case? The tensions persist. But even then, history teaches us: every war ends. Ultimately we will enter a new Messianic age. The question is — how quickly?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the deeper meaning behind this moment — the spiritual, historical, and geopolitical implications of this conflict and victory. Let’s uncover what lies ahead in this historic crossroads, and its cosmic meaning.

We are living in historic times. The war that began between Israel and Iran on June 13th is more than just another conflict — it is a turning point in history. This isn’t a battle that began weeks ago, or even decades ago. It’s the latest chapter in a millennia-old struggle — a war that has shaped and shaken the Middle East for centuries.Now, for the first time, a new horizon is emerging. Imagine a Middle East without war. Without terror. Without fear. Nations once at odds — now building, cooperating, cross-pollinating. It may seem impossible, but it is no longer a fantasy. We are witnessing the labor pains of a new world being born.As with every transition, there is pain. And our hearts grieve every life lost. But in the larger picture, the dismantling of evil clears the path for something greater: a world of possibility, of growth, of light.This is not just geopolitical. It’s cosmic. Emotional. Spiritual. We are standing at the threshold of a new era.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this urgent and timely talk addressing Operation Rising Lion: The War That Will Define the Future of the World.

Are you living a life that expresses your true individuality—or are you conforming, imitating, living someone else's script? Are you singing your own song, or the one others handed you?Too often, our lives are shaped not from within but by the expectations of parents, peers, society—external forces that define who we are, or who we should be.One of the most heartbreaking truths is captured in Oliver Wendell Holmes’ haunting words: “Alas, for those who die with their song still inside them.”Some of us don’t even realize we have a unique song—because we’ve been conditioned from early on to silence it, to fit into molds not our own.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a vital conversation: How to discover your voice. Your authentic self. The inner flame that rises on its own. You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.

How would you rate your self-esteem? Your self-confidence?And I don’t mean arrogance or ego. I’m talking about something far deeper — a quiet dignity, a calm confidence, a sense of being truly comfortable in your own skin. A deep awareness of your own inner nobility.You can be brilliant, emotionally intelligent, even gifted in countless ways — but without that inner sense of worth, those gifts will always remain somewhat distant, underutilized, even hidden. Because if you don’t believe in yourself, how can your strengths shine?So the question is: How do we build that inner dignity? Is it even possible — especially if you grew up in a home or community that didn’t instill it, or worse, undermined it?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a vital discussion on how to uncover the divine majesty within you.

Do you have commitment issues?These days that phrase has become almost a cliché. A convenient excuse. You hear it all the time—serial daters saying, “We’re together, but don’t expect a commitment. I have... commitment issues.”For some, commitment feels like a burden. Like a noose around the neck. “Why tie myself down?” they say. “I need an exit strategy. I want to keep the back door open.”I once met a guy who told me—proudly—that he had finally achieved what he called a “relationship milestone.” He said, “I’ve figured out how to be with my girlfriend... without being committed to her.” I asked, “Does she know that?” “Not yet,” he said, smiling.We’ve come to see commitment as a liability, when in truth, it’s one of the greatest gifts we can experience. Commitment is not just a moral obligation—it’s what gives life weight and meaning. It means that something—or someone—is no longer optional. It matters. It shapes who we are.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson to explore the sefirah of Yesod and delve deeply into commitment and connection, and how vital they are to living the healthiest possible life.

Would you consider yourself a humble person?Most of us would agree that humility is a virtue—something noble and worth aspiring to. And for good reason. A humble person coexists peacefully with others. Humility allows for flexibility, for yielding. It builds bridges and fuels healthy relationships. Arrogance, on the other hand, breeds conflict, distance—even abuse.So why is humility so rare?Some may challenge the very premise and actually argue that humility might be a nice concept in theory but it's not realistic. They believe that life is driven by the "the selfish gene" -- self interest and self preservation. You need to have a healthy sense of self to fight for yourself, because if you don't protect yourself who will? You need an ego to survive and thrive.But let’s pause. Let's go deeper.If humility is so vital, so clearly valuable in our relationships, our communities, and even in our own peace of mind—why is it so elusive? What lies beneath this resistance?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson on a surprising and counterintuitive discovery: That humility is not weakness, not passivity, and not self-negation. It is much more than modesty and selflessness. It is about opening yourself up to experiencing a reality greater than yourself and your subjective perspectives. True humility is power. The power of nothing being greater than something.

Is resilience something we’re born with—or is it something we learn? Why is it that when life throws challenges our way—setbacks, failures, disappointments—some people bounce back faster, while others struggle to find their footing? Is that strength hardwired into them, or is it something we can all develop?This question touches every one of us. No one is immune to pain—be it a broken dream, a betrayal, or a deep personal loss. We all face moments that shake us. The real question is: How do we heal? And even more so—where do we find the strength to keep going?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this vital discussion as we continue to journey through the 49 steps of the Omer. Focusing on Netzacḥ, the attribute of determination, resilience, and endurance, we will explore how to access that inner strength embedded deep within the soul and uncover how this can empower us not just to survive the storm, but to rise from it stronger, more focused, and more connected to our purpose.

Do you feel like your life is chaotic—especially lately, with all the disruptions and upheavals?Uncertainty seems to be the new norm, throwing us off balance, leaving many of us feeling confused, even overwhelmed.Chaos can be disorienting. Sometimes it shakes us to the core. Other times, it gnaws at us quietly—we compartmentalize, minimize, escape. At best we work around and try to cope with chaos. But the inner turbulence remains.But would you be surprised to hear that chaos doesn’t have to be your enemy? That within the chaos lies the seed of transformation?Yes, you can turn chaos into harmony. You can transform confusion into clarity—if you know the method.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the powerful force of Tiferet—and discover how to turn your inner chaos into a symphony of purpose and peace.

How do we make sense of the turbulence and upheavals shaking our world today? Just glance at the stock market — a mirror of our times, swinging wildly with volatility, reflecting trade wars, tariffs, and global conflicts from Gaza to Ukraine. President Trump, in many ways, personifies this era of disruption.But disruption is not inherently negative. The question is: how do we understand it?Because one thing is certain — unpredictability unnerves us. Human beings crave stability. And yet, here we are, waking up each morning to an uncertain reality, bombarded by events we could never have anticipated.Still, everything has a deeper story.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore, through the prism of Passover, the deeper meaning behind today’s turmoils — the unrest in Israel, Trump, and the larger currents reshaping our lives. What lies beneath the chaos? And what does it ask of us?