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‘No Man Lives By Bread Alone’ — The Pursuit of Material Success Also Needs Spirituality
The renowned investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton, who created the Templeton Growth Fund and became one of the wealthiest men in the world, was deeply conscious of the dangers of material aspirations as an end in and of themselves. He explained, “The person who depends on the richness of his faith, rather than the wealth of his possessions, is the one who will find true peace and contentment in life.”
In a fast-paced and relentlessly competitive world, where success is often measured by material possessions and social status, finding a balance between materialism and spirituality has never been more challenging — nor more relevant. We live in a time when consumerism is at an all-time high and growing exponentially. Advertisements and promotions constantly remind us of what we don’t yet have, and what we apparently need to be happy.
But a growing body of research suggests that while material wealth may bring temporary satisfaction, it never leads to long-term happiness or fulfillment. In 2017, the Harvard Gazette highlighted findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies of its kind, which tracked the lives of more than 700 men starting in 1938. Over nearly 80 years, the study revealed insights into what truly contributes to a healthy and happy life.
Remarkably, and quite contrary to what many might expect, the study revealed that it’s not wealth, fame, or even hard work that keeps people happy. The truth is far more organic. The real engines of happiness are close relationships, a sense of purpose, and a commitment to a cause or ideal greater than oneself. While financial success and material wealth provide comfort, the true determinants of happiness and well-being are those that nourish us as human beings — things that go far beyond the physical or material.
Another compelling study has shown that religious people who actively participate in a faith-based community are significantly happier than those who don’t, regardless of their wealth or success. The 2010 study, published in the American Sociological Review, found that people who regularly attend religious services and are involved in a faith-based community almost always report higher levels of happiness than those not involved in such communities.
Believing in God and joining with others who share that belief in joint activities significantly contributes to people’s well-being. And while this might not resonate with those focused on the next best thing to buy or watching their wealth grow, it’s not the size of one’s bank account or the brand-name clothes hanging in the closet that fosters lasting happiness, but rather the depth of one’s connections and the commitment to a spiritual life.
It goes without saying that this idea is not new. Thousands of years ago, the Torah already powerfully articulated this principle. In Parshat Eikev, we encounter a verse that has echoed through the ages (Deut. 8:3): “No man lives by bread alone, but rather by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
This was Moses’ warning to the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land and start becoming materially aware and independently wealthy: “Hey, guys, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that if we just had more—more money, more possessions, more success—we will be content. Don’t fall into that trap,” said Moses, “because if you do, you’ll never be happy.”
Tim Kasser, a respected psychologist at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, is best known for his research on materialism and well-being. In his book “The High Price of Materialism,” he suggests that those prioritizing materialistic goals tend to lower their overall well-being. This is because materialism is often driven by external motivations, such as seeking approval from others or conforming to societal expectations, rather than pursuing internal satisfaction.
In contrast, spiritual aspirations, which focus on inner growth, connection to a higher purpose, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships, are typically associated with greater well-being. Unlike worldly pursuits, which are often fleeting and superficial, spiritual goals provide a more profound and enduring sense of fulfillment.
Yet, despite this knowledge, the pressure to conform to a materialistic lifestyle remains strong. With its constant stream of curated images, social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy and foster a desire for more. But at what cost? As people chase after the next purchase or promotion, they may find themselves disconnected from the very things that bring true happiness: community, purpose, and spiritual connection.
Rabbinic commentators offer deep insights into the verse in Eikev. Ramban explains that “bread” represents all material needs, while the “word of God” symbolizes the spiritual sustenance necessary for a fulfilling life.
The Meshech Chochma, a later commentary, expands on this idea by pointing out that material wealth can quickly become an idol if we are not careful. When we place our trust solely in our possessions or achievements, we risk losing sight of the true source of our blessings. Materialism can cloud our judgment and lead us away from a life of meaning and purpose.
So, how do we strike the right balance between our material needs and spiritual well-being? It starts with awareness. We must recognize that while material possessions can bring comfort, they are not the ultimate source of happiness. Spiritual practices — whether through prayer, acts of kindness, or connecting with a community — truly nourish our souls. History offers us numerous examples of individuals who, despite their immense wealth, only found their true fulfillment in their faith.
One such example is American oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, who faced severe health problems due to the stress of maintaining his vast business empire. It wasn’t until he turned to his Christian faith, dedicating his wealth and life to philanthropic causes by viewing his money as a tool to serve God, that he found peace and fulfillment.
Similarly, the founder of Chick-fil-A, Samuel Truett Cathy, attributed his business success to his strong faith in God. His decision to close all Chick-fil-A stores on Sundays, even at the cost of potential profits, reflected his commitment to his Christian beliefs. As he famously said, “My decision to close on Sunday was my way of honoring God and directing our attention to things that matter more than our business.” For Cathy, his true purpose was not to profit but to honor God’s will.
The most famous recent example in the Jewish world is Paul Reichmann, the Canadian real-estate tycoon. The Reichmann family was devoutly Orthodox and deeply committed to full Torah observance, even as they built one of the largest real estate empires in the world. But Paul Reichmann saw his wealth as a divine trust, using his vast resources to support Jewish education and social causes worldwide. He also insisted that no one who worked for his business – neither Jew nor gentile – ever did any work on Shabbat.
Pursuing material wealth is not inherently wrong, but it must always be tempered with a commitment to spiritual values. It’s perfectly fine to pursue material success, but one must recognize that achieving this goal is not the endgame; without an equally strong aspiration for spiritual fulfillment, material success will ultimately feel hollow and unrewarding.
“No man lives by bread alone,” because true fulfillment comes from feeding both body and soul, always balancing our physical needs with our spiritual aspirations.
The author is a rabbi in Beverly Hills, California.
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White House Urges UN to Fire Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights on the Palestinian territories, attends a side event during the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 26, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
The White House is pressing the United Nations to remove Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, over what officials describe as a pattern of inflammatory, legally questionable and antisemitic conduct.
In a formal diplomatic communication to UN leadership, the US accused Albanese of crossing ethical and legal boundaries by promoting fringe legal theories and issuing sweeping threats to American and international companies.
Albanese, an Italian academic appointed by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2022 and recently reappointed for a second term, has come under increasing scrutiny for her outspoken criticism and targeting of Israel. Recently, she sent letters to major companies, some of them US government contractors, warning that doing business with Israel could constitute “complicity in genocide,” “apartheid,” and other grave human rights abuses. The letters alleged potential criminal liability under international law.
The Trump administration lambasted these moves as a campaign of “political and economic warfare.” In a sharply worded letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea argued that Albanese’s claims were built on “false legal premises” and “inflammatory rhetoric,” warning that such conduct poses risks not just to Israel but to global business and diplomatic norms.
The controversy highlights longstanding US concerns about perceived anti-Israel bias at the UN, particularly within the Human Rights Council, where Israel has frequently been the target of critical resolutions.
US officials have also cast doubt on Albanese’s legal credentials, alleging that the special rapporteur is not an actual lawyer. The state department contends she routinely presents herself as an “international lawyer” despite reportedly never having passed a bar exam or been licensed to practice law. That detail, the US argues, should disqualify her from the diplomatic immunities typically granted to UN officials.
The letters sent to companies are part of a forthcoming UN report, spearheaded by Albanese, that accuses Israel of operating an “economy of genocide” with the support of global corporations. US diplomats dismissed the draft as “legally baseless,” saying it misrepresents both facts on the ground and international law. “Private companies are not legally bound by human rights law,” Shea wrote in her communication.
A spokesman for the UN secretary-general’s office told the Washington Free Beacon it has “no authority over the human rights rapporteurs,” who report directly to the Human Rights Council, according to the outlet. “It is up to the Human Rights Council to handle appointments and to oversee their work,” said the spokesman.
Press representatives for the UNHRC did not immediately respond to a Free Beacon request for comment.
Albanese has long drawn criticism from Israel and its allies. She has accused the Israeli government of perpetrating a system of apartheid and has publicly compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, a comparison widely condemned across political lines. She has also been accused of rationalizing or downplaying the October 7 Hamas attacks.
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Danish Suspect Arrested for Spying on Berlin’s Jewish Community for Iranian Intelligence Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
The Iranian flag flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 3, 2023. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
A man accused of spying on Jewish institutions and individuals in Berlin on behalf of Iranian intelligence — allegedly in preparation for potential terrorist attacks — has been arrested in Denmark.
In a statement released Tuesday, German prosecutors confirmed that a Danish citizen was detained last week in Aarhus, a city in western Denmark, on suspicion of being tasked by Iranian intelligence with collecting information on “Jewish localities and specific Jewish individuals” in the German capital.
According to German authorities, the man allegedly spied on three properties last month, “presumably in preparation for further intelligence activities in Germany, possibly including terrorist attacks on Jewish targets.”
While it hasn’t been disclosed which sites and individuals were targeted, a report by German magazine Der Spiegel revealed that the suspect took photos of several houses, including the headquarters of the German-Israeli Society (DIG).
The suspect is accused of working for a foreign intelligence service, reportedly receiving orders from the Quds Force, Iran’s elite paramilitary unit responsible for directing its proxies and terrorist operations abroad.
After being extradited from Denmark, the suspect will appear before a German judge who will decide whether to keep him in custody pending formal charges.
This latest threat comes as concerns grow over Iranian sleeper cells while tensions in the Middle East escalate amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Jerusalem.
After Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities last month to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Iran warned of retaliation, saying it may activate sleeper cells abroad and mobilize its proxies — from Hezbollah to the Houthis — to target Israeli assets in response to the attacks.
As tensions escalated between the two adversaries, Jewish security groups and institutions worldwide, including schools and synagogues, increased security measures and urged vigilance, anticipating that Iran — limited in its capacity to retaliate militarily against Israel — might target Israeli and Jewish interests abroad.
Tehran has a long history of deploying spies to orchestrate assassination plots and attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets across Europe and the United States.
For example, Swiss authorities last year arrested Swedish teenagers who, acting on Iranian instructions, attempted to attack the Israeli embassy in Stockholm.
There have also been reports of Iranian links to a shooting at a German synagogue and planned attacks on Jewish sites in Cyprus in recent years.
In the US, one notable case is the foiled 2011 plot in which authorities uncovered an Iranian plan to assassinate the then-Saudi ambassador by bombing Café Milano, a Washington, DC, restaurant popular with American officials.
Germany has long been a strong ally of Israel, even as an increasing number of European Union members adopt anti-Israel stances and push for measures against the country.
At the same time, Berlin has maintained a tense relationship with Tehran while striving to re-engage Iran diplomatically over its nuclear program.
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Trump Administration Issues Harvard University Civil Rights Violation Notice
US President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the White House, June 21, 2025. Photo: Carlos Barria via Reuters Connect.
The Trump administration has issued Harvard University a “notice of violation” of civil rights law following an investigation which examined how it responded to dozens of antisemitic incidents reported by Jewish students since the 2023-2024 academic year.
As first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Monday, the correspondence, sent by the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, charged that Harvard willfully exposed Jewish students to a deluge of racist and antisemitic abuse following the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre, which precipitated a surge in anti-Zionist activity on the campus, both in the classroom and out of it. It concluded with a threat to cancel all federal funding for Harvard.
“Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government,” wrote the four federal officials comprising the multiagency Task Force. “Harvard may of course continue to operate free of federal privileges, and perhaps such an opportunity will spur a commitment to excellence that will help Harvard thrive once again.”
On Monday, Kenneth Marcus, former assistant secretary of education for civil rights under the George W. Bush administration and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, told The Algemeiner that the notice signals the administration’s intent to see through its campus reform agenda.
“We have known for some time that the Trump administration believes that Harvard is in violation of Title VI [of the Civil Rights Act of 1964], but it is nevertheless instructive to see the Task Force lay out its case,” Marcus explained. “If the Justice Department intends to take Harvard to court, it is critical for them to take care of such formalities. Alternatively, if their focus is on negotiations, this is a sign of seriousness. Given the recent staff reductions throughout the federal government, it is important to see that the administration has the bandwidth to develop and advance detailed allegations.”
The Joint Task Force comprises Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, Acting General Counsel for the Department of Education Thomas Wheeler, and Acting General Counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services Sean Keveney.
In a statement to The Algemeiner, Steve McGuire, a Campus Freedom Fellow at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), wrote: “While ACTA has concerns about some aspects of the Trump administration’s approach to Harvard’s civil rights problems, it seems clear that the university is not going to fix them on its own. With respect to antisemitism, its own leaders and some of its most prominent defenders have conceded that it has a problem. Harvard has cultivated an intolerant intellectual culture in which mistreating Jews and Israelis is allowed or even encouraged. The Trump administration is right to call this out, and I hope it will engage in a full and proper process to ensure Harvard rectifies the problem.”
The administration, McGuire added, should aim “to ensure that cultural change at the university sticks and endures over the long run” while encouraging Harvard to “work to address other issues, including inadequate protections for free expression and its lack of intellectual diversity, if it wants to reform a culture that has clearly gone off the rails and made discrimination of various kinds acceptable at the university for way too long.”
Campus antisemitism expert Yael Lerman of StandWithUs, said, “This finding marks a critical milestone toward possible federal actions, such as withholding funding, and signals important progress in upholding Title VI protections. We hope Harvard’s response to this determination will be swift action to ensure the safety and equal protection to which Harvard’s Jewish and Israeli students are entitled.”
Harvard University has previously admitted to mismanaging the campus antisemitism crisis.
Several weeks after sparring with the Trump administration, as well as suing it in federal court, Harvard released its long-anticipated report on campus antisemitism. The over 300-page document provided a complete account of antisemitic incidents on Harvard’s campus in recent years — from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee’s endorsement of the Oct. 7 terrorist atrocities to an anti-Zionist faculty group’s sharing an antisemitic cartoon depicting Jews as murderers of people of color — and said that one source of the problem is the institution’s past refusal to afford Jews the same protections against discrimination enjoyed by other minority groups.
Interim Harvard president Alan Garber apologized for the inconsistent application of anti-discrimination policy.
“I am sorry for the moments when we failed to meet the high expectations we rightfully set for our community,” Garber said in a statement that accompanied the report. “The grave, extensive impact of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel and its aftermath had serious repercussions on campus. Harvard cannot — and will not — abide bigotry. We will continue to provide for the safety and security of all members of our community and safeguard their freedom from harassment. We will redouble our efforts to ensure that the university is a place where ideas are welcomed, entertained, and contested in the spirt of seeking truth; where argument proceeds without sacrificing dignity; and where mutual respect is the norm.”
Monday’s notice from the Trump administration comes as Harvard resumes discussion with federal officials regarding a potential agreement for restoring $3 billion in federal research grants and contracts the government withheld in the early stages of its investigation of antisemitism at Harvard.
According to a report published by The Harvard Crimson on Thursday, Garber held a phone call with major donors in which he “confirmed in response to a question from [Harvard Corporation Fellow David M. Rubenstein] that talks had resumed” but “declined to share specifics of how Harvard expected to settle with the White House.”
Garber “did not discuss how close a deal could be,” the Crimson reported, “and said instead that Harvard had focused on laying out the steps it was already taking to address issues that are common ground for the University and the Trump administration. Areas of shared concern that have been discussed with the White House included ‘viewpoint diversity’ and antisemitism.”
Follow Dion J. Pierre @DionJPierre.
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