Meaningful Conversations with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Have you ever wondered what holds body and soul together? And not just together, but in such a seamless fusion that, when a person is healthy, you can't even distinguish between the two? And then, in contrast, what causes them to separate at the moment of death?This isn't just a question about our selves—it’s a fundamental inquiry about the nature of existence itself. It applies not only to human life but to all living organisms, even to the very fabric of matter and energy. What makes matter stable? Why doesn’t it simply collapse or disintegrate? Science grapples with this question: why is it only under extreme conditions—intense heat, immense speed, or through processes like fusion and fission—that subatomic particles split or merge? What is the underlying force that maintains this equilibrium?But this is not just an abstract scientific dilemma—it is a deeply personal and spiritual one. What is the true role of body and soul in our lives?Some mystics believed that the only way to discover truth was through asceticism—detaching from material desires and distractions, living solely in the realm of the soul. Others took the opposite approach, seeking a balance between the two but often through compromise and compartmentalization. And then, of course, the majority simply live a material existence, occasionally, if ever, pausing to seek transcendence.But must we choose between body and soul? Is there a way for them to exist not in tension, but in harmony? Can the material and the spiritual not only coexist but become fully integrated—so that our physical lives are imbued with divine purpose and our souls find expression in the tangible world?Join me in exploring this profound and relevant discussion: Body and Soul: A Divine Partnership, and discover a third, surprising path that reaches beyond body and soul in our search for the essence of all reality.

Rivka Malka is a Jewish educator, speaker, blogger and Transformation Coach. She is the Founder of The Redemption School of Coaching and Transformation, Redemption Retreats, and SoulShine Coaching.  Her goal is to guide spiritual, dynamic women to explore their purpose by providing unconditional love and clarity on the road to transformation.