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?
We all seek healing from psychological and emotional wounds like childhood abuse, trauma, abandonment, and loss. These wounds create fears and insecurities, and undermine our trust, inhibiting us from reaching our potential. Often, we turn to destructive behaviors for relief. Addictions of all sorts may result from the deep void in our psyches. How many hours of therapy are spent, how many medications are ingested -- all attempting to bring some peace into our lives.
But there is hope. Join Rabbi Jacobson in a pre-Passover special to learn a 3,337-year-old formula for true freedom and transformation from the constraints that impede and trap us. Discover how to turn pain into growth and success.
Frederick Douglass famously said, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." Can we even begin to estimate the staggering cost—financial, emotional, and societal—of fixing broken adults? Therapy, medication, addictions, ailments—endless attempts to numb the pain of fear, insecurity, dysfunction, trauma.
Imagine how much could be saved—how much suffering could be avoided—if we focused on building strong children rather than repairing broken adults. But this isn't just about money. It's about human well-being. How much time, energy, and potential are wasted battling demons when we could be nurturing angels?
But the real question is how. How do we raise resilient, whole, and empowered children so they blossom into healthy adults.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital discussion as we explore the path to building strong children—so we no longer have to fix broken adults. As well as methods to mend and rebuild things that may have broken us.
Would you sign a contract without reading it? Would you make a serious commitment without first understanding the details and implications?
Most people would instinctively say, Of course not! First, we understand—then we act, then we commit.
And yet, the great paradox of life—the true secret to deep, lasting, and eternal connections—is precisely the opposite: commitment before full understanding.
This was the defining moment at Sinai, 3,337 years ago. The Jewish people stood at the mountain and declared to God, Na’aseh v’nishma—“We will do, and then we will understand.” A radical statement. What intelligent person agrees to something before knowing the terms?
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we unravel this mystery—the Kabbalah of action. Why is doing first the key to transformation? And how can this principle unlock a more profound, meaningful life?
We speak much about freedom—but are we truly free? Bob Dylan famously sang, “Gotta serve somebody.”
You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance.
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You might be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed.
You’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the Devil or it may be the Lord,
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Dylan’s words strike at a deep truth: We all serve something. It may be money, power, approval, or expectations ingrained in us since childhood. Our fears and anxieties often stem from feeling bound by what others want from us—real or imagined.
Servitude comes in many forms. It’s not just ancient slavery; it’s being enslaved to addictions, to materialism, to toxic relationships, even to therapy or medication when they dictate our lives. Is it being enslaved to that which imposes itself upon you and compels you to do something that you otherwise wouldn’t do.
The real question each one of us must ask is: Whom do you serve?
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson and discover Purim’s secret: true freedom begins with not serving any man or man-made institution. Only by releasing ourselves from the material forces that control us – whom and what we serve – and connecting to a higher eternal reality beyond our mortal existence can we break free from our shackles and gain true freedom.
How much of your potential have you actualized?
That’s actually a trick question. Because the real question is: Do you even know how much potential you have? You can’t measure what you've actualized until you first recognize the vastness of your inner reservoir—your treasure chest of talents, skills, and gifts, both inherent and acquired.
This touches on a fundamental truth: each of us is blessed with unique abilities, shaped by both nature and nurture. And deep down, we all seek to actualize that potential—whether in business, creativity, relationships, or personal growth.
In fact, success can be defined as the ratio of actualized potential to total potential. If your capacity is 100, have you reached 10%? 20%? More?
This awareness impacts every aspect of our lives.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we embark on this journey together—raising the bar, unlocking our hidden strengths, and fully embracing our divine potential. The more we recognize what lies within us, the more we can illuminate the world around us.
What is the secret to true happiness? Is it simply a matter of having positive experiences while avoiding pain? If that were the case, why do we see people who have endured immense suffering radiate joy, while others, blessed with easier lives, remain bitter and despondent?
Real happiness is not about escaping hardship or pretending challenges don’t exist. It’s not frivolous joy or denial. True joy emerges not despite pain, but alongside it. So how do we cultivate a happiness that remains steady even through setbacks, losses, and tragedies?
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson and explore the profound balance of embracing life’s struggles while discovering deep, unwavering joy. With all the madness going on around the world, today more than ever we are all in need of this powerful discussion.
What is holding you back from living up to your greatest aspirations, your dreams, your ideals? What is stopping you from actualizing your full potential? Is it fear? Bad luck? A lack of skills or motivation? Or perhaps it’s all of the above? Maybe there are even deeper, unseen forces—subconscious patterns, societal pressures, or past experiences—blocking your path without you even realizing it.
One thing is certain: Each of us yearns to live the best possible life—however we define it. But wanting is not enough. It’s one thing to set goals and define success; it’s another to identify and overcome the obstacles in our way.
It seems simple: Envision your ideal life, then remove the barriers. But life is rarely that straightforward. We are complex beings, shaped by both external influences and internal struggles. There are forces—both within and beyond us—that silently dictate our choices, often without our conscious awareness.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital conversation as we uncover what is truly standing between you and your greatest life—and, more importantly, how to break through to achieve your utmost potential.
Are you a leader or a follower? Many people assume they aren’t born leaders—that leadership requires ingrained charisma, courage, and wisdom, while they need guidance and direction from others. But is that really true?
We all need mentorship, education, and teachers, but does that mean we must conform? Following guidance is one thing—losing your individuality is another. Leadership isn’t about commanding the masses; it’s about inner confidence, knowing you have something unique to offer. In other words, are you a giver or a taker? Are you contributing to this world or simply following others and taking what’s out there?
Too often, societal, cultural, and familial pressures push us into herd mentality, stifling our individual spirit. But you have a distinct voice, a gift only you can offer.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this transformative discussion and discover the leader within you, your individual voice and indispensable contribution that this world is desperately in need of.
Do you ever feel like life is a masquerade—constantly switching masks depending on where you are, who you're with, and what’s expected of you? At work, at home, in social settings—always performing, always adapting, living up to others’ demands.
And then you pause and wonder: Where am I in all of this? What part of me has been lost?
We live in a world where inauthenticity has become the norm. We're not just talking about fake news or AI-generated illusions. People—out of fear, the need to conform, or the desire to be accepted—often put on a facade, a forced smile, a curated persona. And when you add the layers of insecurity and childhood conditioning—especially if we grew up in homes where authenticity was lacking—this becomes second nature.
The result? A profound dissonance between who we are and how we feel we must present ourselves. It’s disorienting, even exhausting.
So, what can we do about it?
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital discussion and discover how we can reclaim our true selves in a world that pressures us to be something else.
I came across a cartoon recently: two people sitting at a bar, and one asks the other, "Do you remember when you stopped caring?"
It struck me deeply and made me think; how many of us truly care? Care about others, care about events in the world... And not in a superficial way—curiosity, sensationalism, or a passing interest—but really care. When someone is in pain, do we feel it? Whether it’s a loved one or a stranger, do we truly empathize?
It reminded me of a powerful truth that has always touched me: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
In so many ways, the measure of our humanity is defined by how much we care—or don’t. Empathy is the foundation of all meaningful action. Without it, nothing moves us to respond to the injustices we see, whether in an individual’s life or on a global scale.
Yet, life has a way of hardening us. We can become colder, more detached, even cynical—perhaps because we’ve been hurt, or because we’ve turned inward, consumed by self-interest. But this detachment comes at a great cost: the erosion of our humanity.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore the critical battle of our time: empathy versus apathy. Will we succumb to indifference? Or will we allow ourselves to feel, to care, to act? Together let us rediscover what it means to live with an open heart, and reconnect to the integral unity that binds us all.
We often find ourselves living in the moment, consumed by its immediate demands and emotions. But true wisdom lies in stepping back and seeing the bigger picture—connecting the dots, identifying patterns, and gaining a bird’s-eye view. This perspective not only enriches our understanding of life but also empowers us to bring greater meaning and direction to the details of our daily existence.
Yet, it’s not easy. Living in the moment can blind us, trapping us in the here and now. Add to that the constant lure of instant gratification, and it becomes even harder to rise above the noise. But rise we must.
As we enter the year 2025—marking the close of the first quarter of this new millennium—we have a unique opportunity to reflect. What have we learned? What patterns and trends can we discern? How can these insights guide us into a purposeful and inspired future?
Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we journey back to look ahead, uncovering the lessons of the past to illuminate the path forward. Following the agricultural, industrial and information revolutions, we are now on the verge of a new revolution — a spiritual one. The disruptions in our times are an opportunity to embrace a paradigm shift as the old world order gives way to a higher state of consciousness.
As we welcome the New Year, one of the most pressing questions -- and modern-day dilemmas -- is: how can we sustain our New Year’s resolutions? Whether it’s losing weight, launching a new project, mending a relationship, or breaking a habit, the resolutions we make often struggle to last beyond a week—sometimes even a day.
This year, the New Year aligns with the final day of Chanukah, when we light all eight candles of the menorah. Indeed, Chanukah offers us profound insight into this challenge: how do we maintain inspiration? Like a maintenance contract often costing more than the initial service, sustaining our commitments can feel far more difficult than starting them.
So, let’s delve into this timely and relevant discussion. What does Chanukah teach us about carrying the light forward—not just tonight, but every day? How can the enduring message of Chanukah’s flames guide us in illuminating our lives with purpose and resolve in the year ahead?
With the recent, bloodless fall of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria and the arrival of the holiday of Chanukah, it's impossible to overlook the striking parallels between events of millennia ago in Syria and those unfolding today. These connections offer profound lessons for our personal lives and the world at large.What did Syria symbolize in the time of the Maccabees, and what does it represent now? What can we learn from their defeat then, and their downfall today? And most importantly, what comes next?As with all things in life, the macrocosm reflects the microcosm. Global events mirror the inner struggles and triumphs we each experience. In this special Chanukah edition, we’ll explore the historical and spiritual dimensions of Syria’s story—then and now—and uncover its guidance for shaping a brighter future in the Middle East and beyond.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this discussion as we delve into the timeless lessons of Chanukah and the enduring relevance of its flames.
At the end of one of my classes, a cardiologist approached me—a gentle soul burdened by a life of profound challenges—and asked me, Rabbi Jacobson, can you help me? Can you pray for me to find some calm, some peace in my life?”
Being a cardiologist, and with a good sense of humor, I replied, Do you mean... a flatline? He chuckled and said noo, no, not that calm, not that peaceful.
I smiled. “Ah, you mean a wave—a steady, rhythmic cardiogram. Not the extreme peaks or plunging valleys, but a balanced wave of life.” He nodded, understanding. After all, we all know the alternative: a flatline signals no life at all.
And yet, isn’t that the struggle for so many of us? The anxiety, the disruptions, the relentless upheavals. The big question we all have: Is it even possible to find calm in the storm of life? Or perhaps going even deeper, why does life have to be so turbulent in the first place?
But what if there is a way? A path to discover balance. To ride the wave without being consumed by its extremes.
Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for a profound and vital discussion on chasing calm—exploring why peace so often eludes us and how we can reclaim it in our lives. This is more than a conversation; it’s a journey to find the harmony we all yearn for.
