PERSONAL PURSUITS

It is clear from the ‘Why us’ questions that Jewish people are blessed and have proven themselves to work hard against all the antisemitism throughout history. The response of diligence is praise-worthy and has brought much benefit, even to the whole world.

However, let me pose a personal question. Is it now simply ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of Jewishness’? Is that where this blessed race has come to? When 80% of Jewish people are either agnostic or outright atheist, what is the purpose of life? What exactly are you pursuing?

The greatest scientist, or financier, or lawyer, or doctor may indeed pursue noble things; even engage in noble pursuits of philanthropy, but is life really about ‘just another dollar’, or ‘he who has the most toys at the end of his life wins’?

One of the notable Jewish kings, of great wealth, great wisdom, and great commercial ability, was King Solomon. He pursued life! But it’s worth looking at his end of days summary in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Scriptures. (Go read it all!)

He said that it was ‘chasing after the wind’ (Ecclesiastes 1:17). He pursued laughter ( - what Jewish person doesn’t like comedy!) He pursued projects. He pursued money. He pursued learning. But ultimately:

‘So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?’ (Ecclesiastes 2:17-19)

In fact his old age actually did bring him some wisdom – ‘What is crooked cannot be straightened’. (Ecclesiastes 1:15) He realized the Vanity of Vanities, that all is vanity, because of one thing. Man is crooked, and humanly speaking cannot be straightened.

So, an honest awareness of who you are is where you need to be. Enough of your vain and trivial pursuits. Something needs to be done to you, your nature, your need.

That is precisely where we continue the conversation in the next tab: Nature and Need