What’s it worth?

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

measureWhat is it worth?

For years, I have taught a gem from the Talmud that addresses worth:

Who is rich? Whoever is happy with what they have.
Pirkei Avot 4:1a

Isn’t that brilliant? If you are content with what you have, you are wealthy.
My students, in return, have taught me three equally brilliant variants:

  • Some people are so poor that all they have is money
  • The rich aren’t the people who have the most; they’re the people who need the least
  • The most valuable things in life are the things you can’t buy

It would be a ridiculous exercise to attempt to put a numerical dollar value on

  • friendship
  • evoking a smile
  • feeling satisfaction

Social economist Dan Ariely talks about this in the opening of his book <http://amzn.to/1ozR8kA> Predictably Irrational. He writes that no one would take out their wallet after Thanksgiving dinner and ask the host, “So, how much do I owe you for my share?”
As William Bruce Cameron said, “not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”
Bricks can be quantified; wisdom cannot.
Hours can be quantified; value cannot.
Test scores can be quantified; learning cannot.
Hebrew and Bible literacy can be quantified; love cannot.
While there certainly is a price of not being wise, how does one quantify the cost benefits of compassion, empowerment, and mindfulness?
With that in mind, I ask you to consider what you get from these #wisdom_biscuits that you enjoy and to consider making a regular donation so Religion-Outside-The-Box can continue its mission of feeding spiritual hunger. (If you are not able to, please do not feel guilt. Just continue to be a wonderful person in this world – that is always philanthropy enough.)
#wisdom_biscuit: Be blessed with what you have and count your blessings.

Share with a Friend

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
WhatsApp

Also by Rabbi Brian

77% Weekly
Rabbi Brian

It’s OK not to be OK

A startling discovery about 2024—this year has 53 Mondays, not the standard 52. 2019: 52 Mondays2020: 52 Mondays2021: 52 Mondays2022: 52 Mondays2023: 52 Mondays2024: 53

Read More »
77% Weekly
Rabbi Brian

A Story of Humanity

A Story of Humanity   I’m the 30-year-old assistant rabbi of Temple Judea — a congregation of a few thousand in Tarzana, California.   It’s my

Read More »