Keys to a Meaningful Life: An Interview with Rabbi Zamir Cohen

He’s at the heart of a quiet revolution called the Hidabroot Channel. He lectures across Israel and around the world, serves as a Rosh Yeshiva (head of a Torah learning institution), and writes bestselling books in his limited free time. After reaching thousands with titles like The Revolution, The Code, and more, Rabbi Zamir Cohen is now releasing a new book: Keys to Life, offering Torah-based guidance for building a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Titles like Journey to Truth, The Song of Songs Explained, Halacha in Order, The Code, and The Revolution are just a few from Rabbi Cohen’s growing library. With a gentle and clear voice, he brings deep Jewish wisdom to readers searching for clarity. Whether it’s books, conferences, CDs, or the Hidabroot TV channel, he uses every method to help another Jew understand their role in this world.

You might assume from the depth of his books that Rabbi Cohen has a background in science. In fact, he’s been Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) since birth, raised entirely in Torah environments from yeshiva to kollel (full-time Torah study), eventually becoming a Rosh Yeshiva. And yet, he went on to launch a TV channel possibly the only person in the world to do so without owning a TV himself.

What pushed him into writing and media was the deep spiritual thirst he saw all around him: people searching for real answers about happiness, truth, and purpose. His groundbreaking book The Revolution, which explores the harmony between Torah and modern science, has been translated into multiple languages including English, Persian, Italian, and French. In The Code, he focuses on the hidden meaning within the Hebrew letters and names. And now, Keys to Life, a full-color book of 315 pages, offers practical guidance rooted in Torah for anyone seeking real personal growth.

“Many chapters in the book are dedicated to the spiritual search so many people are experiencing today,” Rabbi Cohen explains. “There’s a special focus on the meaning and benefit of mitzvot showing how they help a person achieve balance between body and soul.”

In Keys to Life, readers will find insights on marriage, parenting, emotional health, physical well-being, and personal development. “The idea came from the many private conversations I have with people of all ages and backgrounds,” Rabbi Cohen shares. “I began to see a pattern where people were facing the same core struggles. That’s when I felt the need to create a book that could offer the ‘keys’ to unlock these difficulties.”

“When someone’s stuck, even a wise person may not know how to help themselves. As our Sages say, ‘A prisoner cannot free himself from prison.’ But Torah gives us the key. Goodness and happiness are within reach and we just need help opening the right gates. That’s the mission of this book.”

For readers who love exploring deeper mystical meanings, the book doesn’t disappoint. “I included explanations from Kabbalah to help people understand how each mitzvah connects them to something divine and meaningful,” he adds. “There are also chapters on developing your character, overcoming anger and fear, dealing with delays in finding a spouse, honoring parents, and building self-worth.”

Rabbi Cohen often quotes scientific studies in his books. How does a Haredi rabbi, who doesn’t browse the internet or watch TV, stay so up to date?

“I don’t spend time randomly searching for studies,” he explains. “But once the Torah gives insight on a topic, I’ll look for related scientific research. And incredibly, we’re seeing more and more alignment between Torah teachings and modern discoveries. Of course, the Torah doesn’t need science to ‘prove’ it, science is only uncovering what the Creator already embedded in the world. Still, for many people, these connections are powerful.”

Sometimes readers send him research that matches Torah ideas, and he includes those findings in his books as well.

“The Torah is called ‘turn it and turn it, for everything is in it,’” he explains. “It’s the Creator’s instruction manual for life. Just look at how much is hidden inside. The Mishnah’s order of Zeraim discusses botany. Seder Nezikin is about law and justice. Proverbs, Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), and other teachings offer timeless psychological insight. The halachot (laws) of Shabbat related to the sick give you medical knowledge. And mussar (ethical) books from our yeshivot shape a person’s character and teach self-control.”

So what’s next for Rabbi Zamir Cohen?

“The next project is finishing The Revolution 2, with Hashem’s help. It will go deeper into the harmony between Torah and science and addressing topics like the age of the world, dinosaurs, and other questions that seem to challenge faith. In fact, we’ll show that the Torah not only answers these questions, but does so with greater clarity than science itself. We hope to release it this coming summer.”

Until then, Keys to Life is available to bring readers closer to the beauty and truth of Torah with tools to grow, improve, and find peace in a complicated world.

10 Keys to Life
(Selected teachings from Rabbi Zamir Cohen’s book)

1. Laughter reminds us that life’s hardships are temporary and often just illusions.

2. When you feel anger rising toward someone, shift your gaze away from them.

3. Red beans resemble kidneys, and in Chinese medicine, they’re believed to strengthen kidney health.

4. Mixing spiritual opposites causes spiritual "short circuits" that can impact our physical world.

5. A husband who honors his wife with kind words and care opens gates of blessing and abundance.

6. Before responding, ask yourself: Will this bring gain or loss?

7. A bride must understand that a son’s love for his mother and his love for his wife are two very different bonds.

8. Giving a child everything—personal space, new toys—doesn’t guarantee love. Connection and shared space matter more.

9. Children need to feel like partners through explanation and discussion, or they become distant.

10. Every moment spent learning Torah lights up the soul and helps you grow into your best self.