Toward a Meaningful Life

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Toward a Meaningful Life
Author Simon Jacobson
Original titleToward a Meaningful Life: The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Country United States
Language English
Subject Jewish thought, Chassidism
Genre Non-fiction
Published 1995, William Morrow (first edition), Harper Collins
ISBN 9780688141967

Toward a Meaningful Life is a book authored by Chabad Hasidic writer Simon Jacobson. [1] The book became the basis of a six-part course titled Toward a Meaningful Life: A Soul-Searching Journey for Every Jew by the Jewish Learning Institute. [2] The book elucidates the teachings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Rebbe of Chabad. [3]

Chabad Chasidic movement Chabad-Lubavitch

Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch, is an Orthodox Jewish, Hasidic movement. Chabad is one of the world's well-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic groups and Jewish religious organizations in the world.

Simon Jacobson American rabbi

Simon Jacobson is the author of Toward a Meaningful Life, founder of The Meaningful Life Center and publisher of the Yiddish English weekly, The Algemeiner Journal. Jacobson is a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

Menachem Mendel Schneerson Seventh Chabad Rebbe

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (April 18, 1902 OS – June 12, 1994 / AM 11 Nissan 5662 – 3 Tammuz 5754, Hebrew: מנחם מענדל שניאורסאהן‎, known to many as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or simply as the Rebbe, was a Russian Empire–born American Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and the last rebbe of the Lubavitcher Hasidic dynasty. He is considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century.

Concepts

Toward a Meaningful Life expounds on ideas in Chabad philosophy and especially the teachings of the seventh Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

Chabad philosophy The teachings of the leaders of Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement in Judaism

Chabad philosophy comprises the teachings of the leaders of Chabad-Lubavitch, a Hasidic movement. Chabad Hasidic philosophy focuses on religious concepts such as God, the soul, and the meaning of the Jewish commandments.

One of the central concepts explored by Jacobson is the soul. According to Jacobson, the soul is divine energy, "the flame of God," "a little piece of the infinite that lies within you." [4]

Soul essence of an individual

The soul, in many religious, philosophical, and mythological traditions, is the incorporeal essence of a living being. Soul or psyche are the mental abilities of a living being: reason, character, feeling, consciousness, memory, perception, thinking, etc. Depending on the philosophical system, a soul can either be mortal or immortal. In Judeo-Christianity, only human beings have immortal souls. For example, the Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas attributed "soul" (anima) to all organisms but argued that only human souls are immortal.

Faith is considered a central component for the social order. According to the book, life without faith would be "a random series of logical and illogical errors." [3]

Giving charity is seen by Jacobson as more than a physical act. Becoming a giver and a contributor to life sanctifies one's life, as the giver has the potential to become a partner in the creation and development of the universe. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "Simon Jacobson". The Algemeiner Journal. Accessed April 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ Brackman, Benjy. "JLI Offers “Toward a Meaningful Life” Class." Boulder Jewish News. Jan. 25, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Toward a Meaningful Life:The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson" Kirkus Reviews . Accessed April 1, 2014.
  4. ↑ Berke, Joseph H., and Stanley Schneider. "The self and the soul." Mental Health, Religion & Culture 9, no. 4 (2006): 333-354. (registration required)
  5. ↑ Silberman, Israela. "COMMENTARY: Spiritual Role Modeling: The Teaching of Meaning Systems." The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 13, no. 3 (2003): 175-195.
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