Spiritual leader speaks at Scott

Published March 10, 2010
By Steve Berry
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Rabbi Simon Jacobson spoke about "the power of prayer in these turbulent times" March 4 at the Scott Club. He was the keynote speaker at the base's National Prayer Luncheon.

The rabbi's speech centered on the roots of equality and freedom, and the virtue of prayer.

"I'm just going to say a few words from my heart," said the rabbi. "I think it is important to put into context the role military personnel serve."

Rabbi Jacobson is the director of the Meaningful Life Center in Manhattan, N.Y. and the author of a best-selling book called "Toward a Meaningful Life." He has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows.

He said the biblical figure Abraham was one of the first to discuss the value of freedom, but living in freedom is a relatively new concept in the timeline of history.

He said the idea that all men are created equal--found in the United States' Declaration of Independence--has biblical roots with the idea that "every human being on earth was created in the divine image ... every human being, there is no exception, not color, not creed, or culture. This frankly is the basis of this country. Where do you think the founding fathers got these ideas from, they didn't just think of them."

He said the U.S. was the first country to embrace this value of equality
"We are a country that fights for and represents that type of value."

On Prayer
The rabbi said prayer is a way to deal with challenges like loneliness and danger. "I see prayer as a tool, a resource," he said. "We have a power that allows us to connect to something beyond ourselves and that in essence is what prayer is about."

On Haiti earthquake relief
Rabbi Jacobson said historically when a nation is the victim of a natural disaster like an earthquake "that nation is plundered and exploited by all its neighbors. "I find it fascinating that we live in a time that we are able to use our resources and our military to help others," he said.

Ch. (Capt.) Andrew Cohen, 375th Air Mobility Wing, said the National Prayer Luncheon went extraordinarily well.

"The Rabbi was remarkable in his ability to understand and speak to us," he said. "I think his message was timely and relevant. I specifically recommended him because I am well acquainted with his ability to convey universal Torah themes."