Simon Jacobson: 'The music of Judaism is what I’m looking for, not just the mechanics'

From 18 Questions, 40 Mystics by 18Forty

May 4, 2026 · 46 min · Season 2 · Episode 21

About this episode

Rabbi Simon Jacobson discusses his journey through skepticism to a deeper understanding of Jewish mysticism and its significance.

Rabbi Simon Jacobson describes his childhood years as being shaped by his nature of being a “skeptic and a seeker.” As he grew older, he began to study other traditions, eventually returning to a deeper study of Hasidic thought, where he found “the music of Judaism.” As he continued his studies, he became a close disciple of the Lubavitcher Rabbi, serving as one of his oral scribes. Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the founder of the The Meaningful Life Center , an organization dedicated to sharing the wisdom of the Torah to people of all backgrounds. He is the author of Towards A Meaningful Life . Now, he joins us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including its emphasis on action and how Pnimiyut HaTorah [inner dimensions of Torah] is a taste of redemption. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism? How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism? In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics? What do you think of when you think of God? What is the purpose of the Jewish people? How does prayer work? What is the goal of Torah study? Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same? Should Judaism be hard or easy? Why did God create the world…

People in this episode

Host: Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy

Guest: Simon Jacobson

Topics covered

Jewish mysticism
Hasidic thought
spirituality
Torah study
prayer
redemption

Keywords

Jewish mysticism
Hasidic thought
spirituality
Torah
redemption
prayer
Moshiach
modernity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Meaningful Life Center, Lubavitcher Rabbi

Books & works: Towards A Meaningful Life