Taking Stock of Our Lives
A wealthy man taught me how we must dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to Torah study and mitzvah observance. This man has shares in many companies and his businesses branch throughout the world. He is a maven on the stock market.
I once met him and could not resist asking, “Tell me, please. Since you invest all your time in the stock market, when do you find time for eating and drinking?”
“I have very little time for such things as food and drink,” was his pithy response.
“And how long do you sleep at night?” I continued.
“Also a very minimal amount.”
He explained that as the night spreads its blanket of darkness upon his land, and all his countrymen turn in for a good night’s sleep, the day is just beginning on the other side of the globe. A new business day is dawning. What a shame to waste precious hours on something as mundane and trivial as sleep. He therefore remains awake, following the proceedings of the stock market. He must know which stocks are worthwhile investing in, and when. By the time he has made his decisions, the light of a new day has appeared in his homeland. Of course, it heralds an opportunity for more business and following the stock exchange there. All of this ultimately translates into increasing his assets.
“What about prayer and tefillin?” I press. “How many hours of your day are set aside for Torah study, food for the soul?”
“Sorry, but I have no time for such activities.”
I looked at him in sheer shock. “What will you do with all of your fortunes after you pass away? You surely know that you can’t take them with you. Why, then, are you working so hard?!”
The man avoided my gaze. He said that he preferred not to think of the day of death, or the day after.
I could not help but think about this wealthy pauper. He sacrificed everything on the altar of earning more wealth. Not only did his life lack spiritual content, he even forewent physical pleasures, all in order to make more money.
I personally took a mussar lesson from this man. Just as he literally devoted his entire life to amassing greater fortunes, we must sacrifice ourselves for the sake of Torah study and mitzvah observance.
