''Toward a Meaningful Life'' is a book authored by

Chabad Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (; ; ), is a dynasty in Hasidic Judaism. Belonging to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) branch of Orthodox Judaism, it is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, as well as one of ...

Hasidic Hasidism () or Hasidic Judaism is a religious movement within Judaism that arose in the 18th century as a spiritual revival movement in contemporary Western Ukraine before spreading rapidly throughout Eastern Europe. Today, most of those aff ...

writer

Simon Jacobson Simon Jacobson (born December 8, 1956) is the author of ''Toward a Meaningful Life'' (William Morrow, 2002) and publisher of the weekly ''Algemeiner Journal''. Jacobson is a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Life and early career Jacobso ...

. 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. The book elucidates the teachings of Rabbi

Menachem Mendel Schneerson Menachem Mendel Schneerson ( – June 12, 1994; Anno Mundi, AM 11 Nissan 5662 – 3 Tammuz 5754), known to adherents of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or simply the Rebbe, was an American Orthodox rabbi and the most rec ...

, the seventh

Rebbe A Rebbe () or Admor () is the spiritual leader in the Hasidic movement, and the personalities of its dynasties.Heilman, Samuel"The Rebbe and the Resurgence of Orthodox Judaism."''Religion and Spirituality (Audio)''. UCTV, 20 Oct 2011. web. ...

."Toward a Meaningful Life:The Wisdom of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson"
''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, no ...

''. Accessed April 1, 2014.

Concepts

''Toward a Meaningful Life'' expounds on ideas in

Chabad philosophy 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. Teachings are often draw ...

and especially the teachings of the seventh Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi

. One of the central concepts explored by Jacobson is the

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

. According to Jacobson, the soul is divine energy, "the flame of God," "a little piece of the infinite that lies within you." 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." 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.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.

References

American non-fiction books Chabad-Lubavitch (Hasidic dynasty) Chabad-Lubavitch texts 1995 books {{Judaism-book-stub