RSS
‘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.
The post ‘No Man Lives By Bread Alone’ — The Pursuit of Material Success Also Needs Spirituality first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Trump Holds 10-Point Lead Over Harris With New York Jews, Poll Finds
Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump speaks as he campaigns at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, US, August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a commanding lead over her Democratic opponent Kamala Harris among New York Jewish voters in the 2024 election, according to the latest Siena College poll.
The poll found that Jewish New Yorkers prefer Trump, who previously served as the 45th US president, over Harris, the current vice president, by a margin of 54 percent to 44 percent when including third-party candidates. If the US presidential election were held today and it was just a two-person race, the figures would only change slightly, with Trump beating Harris among Jewish voters in the Empire State by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent.
Conducted from Sept. 11-16, the findings suggest that Trump has made significant inroads with the Jewish community.
Additional polling data from Siena indicates that Jewish voters are rapidly warming up to Trump as Election Day in the US inches closer. Trump led Harris 50 percent to 49 percent among Jewish New York voters in August, according to Siena College. In June, Jewish voters preferred then-presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden over Trump 52 percent to 46 percent.
Trump’s favorability among Jewish voters has also significantly increased in recent months, according to the polling data. In July, 44 percent of Jewish voters indicated a “favorable” view of Trump and 52 percent indicated an “unfavorable” view of the former president. That number has surged since then, with 52 percent of Jewish voters revealing a “favorable” view of Trump and 48 percent revealing an “unfavorable” view of the Republican nominee in the latest poll.
The poll represents the latest indication that at least some Jewish voters could be fleeing the Democratic Party, potentially over frustrations stemming from the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war and surging antisemitism within traditionally-liberal institutions.
The data also indicates that Harris possesses notably weaker support among New York Jews than Biden, potentially suggesting dissatisfaction over the vice president’s positions on Israel or a lack of trust that she will forcefully defend the Jewish state’s interests.
Trump has made numerous overtures to the Jewish community in recent months, attempting to win over a significant share of the traditionally-liberal voting bloc. He has delivered speeches at various events catered toward the Jewish community, including the Republican Jewish Coalition. The former president also co-hosted an event focusing on antisemitism at his Trump National Golf Club Bedminster alongside prominent Jewish donor Miriam Adelson.
The former president has touted his former administration’s support for Israel as a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign. During his single term in office, Trump recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a strategic region on Israel’s northern border previously controlled by Syria. He also moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, recognizing the city as the Jewish state’s capital. The Trump administration also helped to broker the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with four Arab countries in 2020.
Evidence of Trump’s success in wooing Jewish voters has been replicated by other polls. A July survey conducted by pollster Richard Baris showed that Jewish voters nationally prefer Harris over Trump by a margin of 52.7 percent to 45.9 percent.
However, a poll commissioned by the Jewish Democratic Council of America released earlier this month found that 72 percent of Jewish Americans plan on casting a ballot for Harris and 25 percent are poised to do the same for Trump.
The post Trump Holds 10-Point Lead Over Harris With New York Jews, Poll Finds first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Israel’s Ambassador Tells UN Security Council: ‘Wake Up,’ Stop Turning ‘Blind Eye’ to Iran’s Support for Terrorism
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addressing the UN Security Council on Sept. 19, 2024. Photo: Screenshot
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon lambasted Iran for being a puppet master “pulling the strings” of terrorist groups across the Middle East, describing them as “Iran’s attack dogs” while addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday.
Danon stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran, which he described as “the most oppressive regime in the world,” wants “dominance, not diplomacy.” The country’s “grand ambition” is the “creation of a Shiite supremacist empire that stretches across the entire Middle East and beyond,” he insisted.
“This council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses,” Danon added. “The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups. It is Iran pulling the strings. The Iran proxies — Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] — are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.”
Danon also described the different terror cells as the “claws of a beast” that is Iran.
The ambassador then shifted his attention to the Palestinian Authority, accusing it of “standing by, utterly weak and impotent,” by turning a blind eye to Iran’s terrorist actions or “actively collaborating with these terror networks.” He once the PA’s leadership, including President Mahmoud Abbas, for refusing to condemn Hamas since the terror group’s Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel.
“With leaders such as them, is it any wonder that terrorism continues to worsen in Judea and Samaria?” he asked, before noting how Iran is funding, arming, and recruiting terrorists in the West Bank to target Israelis.
“Iran has transformed our region into a railway of terror” and is operating a “murderous Orient Express” that is “right under the world’s nose,” Danon said. He talked at length about the “dark web of terror Iran and its proxies continue to weave in Judea and Samaria, and said these reasons are why Israel must take “preventative steps” to protect its borders and civilians.
“Let me ask you all: What would your security forces do if they had intelligence about terrorists planning a massive attack on your civilian populations?” he asked the Security Council. “Think about your capital cities. Would there be any doubt about what to do? Well, we have no such doubts and neither do any of you … but when Israel takes reasonable steps regarding intelligence to neutralize a threat, preventing terror attacks against our civilians, we are condemned.”
“This council remains paralyzed by indecision,” he added. “We are not dealing with isolated acts of terror. We are dealing with an orchestrated campaign of distraction directed by the ayatollahs in Iran. And while this body debates restraint and diplomacy, Iran’s terror network grows stronger. The time for half-measures, blind eyes, and empty statements are over. What is required now is not talk about the symptoms, but action against the disease itself, which is the Iranian regime.”
He concluded his remarks by calling for Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to be designated as terrorist organizations worldwide, and urged the UN to apply more sanctions against the Iranian regime until its “capacity to support terror is completely diminished.”
“We expect this council to stop them at the root,” Danon said of Iran, before reiterating that Israel will take all measures necessary to protect itself.
“Israel will defend itself with all the force necessary to protect our people,” he said. “We will dismantle every terrorist network, uproot every Iranian proxy and strike down those who seek to harm us. The international community for must stand with us, for the very future of the Middle East. The stakes could not be higher [and the] time for inaction has passed.”
Also on Thursday, Danon sent a letter to UN Security Council President Samuel Zbogar that pressured the 15-member Security Council to condemn a ballistic missile attack from the Houthis in Yemen that hit central Israel on Sunday. The Israeli ambassador sent an identical letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly passed with an overwhelming majority a non-binding Palestinian resolution that demands Israel end its “occupation” of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem within 12 months.
The resolution, which calls for the end of Israel’s “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” was passed by a 124-14 margin with 43 abstentions. It backs an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, which ruled that Israel is illegally occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip against international law.
The General Assembly resolution also called on states to “take steps towards ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements, as well as the provision or transfer of arms, munitions and related equipment to Israel … where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” It further urged Israel to withdraw all military forces and Israeli Jewish settlements from those territories. Those who voted against the resolution on Wednesday included the United States, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary, Malawi, Nauru, Paraguay, and Papau New Guinea.
The resolution made no mention of Israel’s security concerns and terrorist threats from its neighboring countries, the state of Israel or the Jewish people’s historical ties to the land, or the deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attacks orchestrated by Hamas that took place across southern Israel.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that by omitting all these facts, the resolution “tells a one-sided, fictional story.” The MFA condemned the resolution in a released statement on Wednesday, describing the General Assembly as a “political theater” that has adopted “a distorted decision disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace.”
“This is what being disconnected looks like; this is what cynical international politics looks like,” the MFA added.
“The General Assembly decision bolsters and strengthens the Hamas terrorist organization and the Iranian terrorist state that stands behind it,” the ministry continued. “The resolution sends a message that terrorism pays off and yields international resolutions. The decision only encourages Hamas’ rejectionism with regards to the deal for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire and further distances the possibility of reaching such a deal.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry went on to argue that the resolution “undermines the foundation of any attempt to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict,” arguing that the PA, which initiated the measure, “is not interested in peace, but in defaming Israel.”
The Jewish state “will respond accordingly,” the statement warned.
Danon called the resolution “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism.”
“Instead of marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre by condemning Hamas and calling for the release of all 101 of the remaining hostages, the General Assembly continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers,” he said.
“We will continue to defend Israel in the international arena and fight against the diplomatic terrorism of the Palestinians,” he added.
The UN General Assembly resolution politically isolating Israel was passed days before world leaders will assemble for the annual UN gathering. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are both due to address the 193-member General Assembly on Sept. 26.
The post Israel’s Ambassador Tells UN Security Council: ‘Wake Up,’ Stop Turning ‘Blind Eye’ to Iran’s Support for Terrorism first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Israel Used Shell Company to Make Hezbollah’s Exploding Pagers: New York Times Report
An ambulance arrives at a hospital as thousands of people, mainly Hezbollah fighters, were wounded on Sept. 17, 2024 when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A Hungary-based company suspected of supplying Hezbollah with the pagers that exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday was actually an Israeli shell company established by Israeli spies, The New York Times reported on Thursday citing three American intelligence officers.
The large-scale operation killed several Hezbollah members and injured thousands across Lebanon, where the Iran-backed terrorist group is based, and Syria.
Rather than tampering with existing devices during production or distribution, Israel actually “manufactured them as part of an elaborate ruse,” the report said. While the company did indeed manufacture standard pagers for other customers, these were “produced separately, [and] contained batteries laced with PETN,” a highly explosive stable material.
Following the first round of explosions, hundreds of walkie-talkies used by the group also detonated on Wednesday, causing mass panic across Lebanon.
According to The New York Times, the firm, BAC Consulting, was listed as an LTD in 2022 but its website was established in October 2020.
Two other shell companies were also reportedly created to obscure the connection between BAC and Israel, the unnamed officers said.
The devices reportedly began arriving in small numbers to Lebanon in 2022, with production increasing as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah publicly urged followers to avoid cellphones due to concerns they could be tracked by Israel.
Nasrallah warned supporters during a speech in February, saying, “The phone in your hands, in your wife’s hands, and in your children’s hands is the agent … Bury it. Put it in an iron box and lock it.”
“Israeli intelligence officials saw an opportunity,” the Times report noted.
With Hezbollah relying more heavily on the explosive-laden pagers, Israeli intelligence viewed them as “buttons” that could be triggered at any moment, ultimately leading to Tuesday’s explosions.
The pagers that detonated in Lebanon were branded with the logo of a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo. While BAC was authorized to use Gold Apollo’s branding, the latter stated that “the design and manufacturing of the products are solely the responsibility of BAC.”
Lebanese authorities said the explosions were catastrophic, killing 12 people and injuring nearly 3,000 bystanders, most of whom were either Hezbollah operatives or civilians nearby. Another 20 died when walkie-talkies exploded the following day. Both devices, the report claimed, were rigged with PETN.
BAC Consulting denied any involvement, with its CEO Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono saying that her firm only acted as an intermediary in the transactions and was not responsible for manufacturing the pagers. “I don’t make the pagers. I am just the intermediary. I think you got it wrong,” Bársony-Arcidiacono told NBC News.
A Hungarian government spokesperson echoed this, stating that BAC merely facilitated the trade and that the pagers had never actually entered Hungary. “Authorities have confirmed that the company in question is a trading intermediary, with no manufacturing or operational site in Hungary. It has one manager registered at its declared address, and the referenced devices have never been in Hungary,” wrote Zoltán Kovács on X.
Hezbollah holds Israel responsible for the explosions and has vowed retaliation. Israel has neither publicly confirmed nor denied responsibility for the blasts.
In a televised address on Thursday, Nasrallah admitted that the terror group had sustained a “major and unprecedented massacre.”
“We have undoubtedly experienced a significant security and military setback, one that is unparalleled in the history of the resistance and in the history of Lebanon,” Nasrallah stated in his address.
“This kind of killing, targeting, and crime may be unprecedented in the world,” he added, saying the attacks were “a declaration of war.”
“The enemy has lost all control, laws, and morals,” he said. “Israel intended to kill 4,000 people in one minute by detonating the pagers. Many of them were civilians,” Nasrallah said, despite the fact that the devices were carried exclusively by Hezbollah operatives. “The following day, 1,000 more in one minute. In two minutes, Israel intended to kill 5,000.”
He vowed that the more than 60,000 Israelis from northern Israel who have been evacuated from their homes would not return.
Hours after his speech, Israeli fighter jets targeted more than 60 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, in one of the biggest waves of attacks since the beginning of the war.
Earlier in the day, two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were killed and nine more wounded after Hezbollah launched a barrage of anti-tank missiles and drones in the north.
During a visit to Northern Command on Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi alluded to the fact that Israel has yet unseen methods of war to be deployed against Hezbollah.
“We have many more capabilities that we have not yet used,” he said. “We are well prepared and we are laying the groundwork for these plans going forward.”
The post Israel Used Shell Company to Make Hezbollah’s Exploding Pagers: New York Times Report first appeared on Algemeiner.com.