Free Choice vs. Determinism

Free Choice vs. Determinism

A clever cynic once said: We must believe in free will. We have no choice.

Do we have free choice or is everything in our lives predetermined? Am I wired like a machine -- programmed and predictable, or can I change the course of my destiny? That is the big, age old question that has sparked many debates, research and countering arguments.

In 1814, French philosopher, mathematician and scientist Pierre-Simon Laplace stated what has come to be known as causal determinism -- that if there was an intellect (coined Laplace's Demon) that was able to know all the data of the past and present, he would be able to predict everything in the future because at the end of the day everything is a process of cause and effect, action and reaction. The only problem is that we don't have all the data. This theory would seem to negate the concept of free will - everything is predetermined, we just don't have all the information to see the results.

The discovery of quantum mechanics in the 20th century, which presented an indeterministic model of the (microscopic) universe, essentially undid the premise of causal determinism. Heisneberg's Uncertainty Principle states that we cannot simultaneously determine both the position and velocity of a particle, not due to lack of data, but due to the fundamental nature of quantum probability. This proves that it's not just a lack of proper data that keeps us from determining our future, but it truly is indeterministic.

But there are still many questions swirling around the idea of free will. As creatures of habit, shaped and conditioned by many influences, do we really have free will? How do we know that we aren't like any animal, simply following our natural instincts and predilections?

Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this important discussion and discover the roots of this debate and how it reflects the very way we look at ourselves. Are we random creatures, or do our lives have purpose? Are we puppets on a string, or are we free people with control over our choices? Do you and your decisions matter? Is your life headed somewhere? Explore inner dimensions of yourself and learn that you can choose to choose -- that you indeed have the freedom to choose your future, and you have more control over your actions, and power to determine your destiny, then you ever knew!

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Can You Live Forever? The Spiritual Formula for Eternal Life

Can You Live Forever? The Spiritual Formula for Eternal Life

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.

14 Heinä 202537min

Will We See Complete Peace in the Middle East

Will We See Complete Peace in the Middle East

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.

3 Heinä 202527min

Ceasefire. What's Next

Ceasefire. What's Next

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.

27 Kesä 202526min

Rising Lion. The War That Will Define the Future of the World

Rising Lion. The War That Will Define the Future of the World

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.

19 Kesä 202537min

Find Your Own Voice. The Flame That Rises on Its Own

Find Your Own Voice. The Flame That Rises on Its Own

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.

12 Kesä 202531min

Crown Yourself. Embracing the Nobility of Malchut

Crown Yourself. Embracing the Nobility of Malchut

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.

29 Touko 202527min

Yesod. Where Commitment Becomes Connection

Yesod. Where Commitment Becomes Connection

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.

22 Touko 202527min

Humility. When Nothing is Greater than Something

Humility. When Nothing is Greater than Something

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.

15 Touko 202529min

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