There’s Nothing More Priceless Than Torah and Mitzvot

My rebbe used to say that sometimes while one is in yeshivah their eyes wander. One simply cannot stop themselves from peering outside the window where the world awaits. At that moment, they take notice of all the world’s offerings, both physical and virtual.

Making a quick tally, one ascertains that there are many malls and exotic vacation destinations. For entertainment, there are thrilling sporting events and venues like movie theaters where friends can easily get lost in a world of depravity. Such a person who frequents these sites, on the surface appears to be filled with fun and excitement as they enjoy life to its fullest.

My rebbe proposed a thought. Imagine if I would take you to my house and show you a beautiful, diamond-studded medicine cabinet. Then, I open its doors and announce, “Look at how many medications I have filling each shelf! I have everything from Advil to Tylenol, Aspirin, and even three kinds of Tums, and every option in between!”

Would you glance at the fancy bathroom closet and its array of contents and exclaim, “Wow! You are so lucky. You have so much medicine in so many flavors! How incredible!”

Such a statement would be utterly foolish. Why in the world would anyone be jealous of another person because of his expansive medicine chest?

Now, take our world for instance. The physical universe appears exquisite as it offers such wonderful choices. Our planet has a tremendous appearance and is nothing but vast. However, in reality, there is nothing substantive in its amenities.

One must not look at the movies, sports, and fashion available at one’s fingertips and become jealous of the Western cultural influences. Take note that the aforementioned venues ultimately contain no intrinsic value. These offerings exist simply to keep humankind occupied and these notions exist solely as a false necessity that people have been convinced of requiring. These items of pleasure for one’s mind and body act as medicine to stay relevant.

As Jewish beings, we have our time filled with other matters and lack a moment for involvement in these mundane concepts.

As Jews, we spend considerable time studying the holy Torah, and performing various mitzvot. Once we master a theme in the Torah, we can spread its Divine light to others through constructive conversation. Henceforth, why would a Yid desire the options found in the cultures of the world? Remember, it is all just medicine to throw off the mind. Instead, we have more powerful tools at our disposal and have capabilities for a wider range of accomplishments. We are privileged to learn Torah thoughts and become engrossed in completing good deeds!

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R’ Yaakov Rahimi of Lakewood, N.J. has created a storm in the Jewish world bringing back many unaffiliated young men and women to the pathways of Hashem through Chazaq, TorahAnytime, NCSY, BJX, and Partners in Torah. R’ Rahimi is a graduate of Deal Yeshiva, and learned in Beth Medrash Govoha, his hometown, becoming a very close talmid of Rabbis Yeruchem Olshin shlit”a, and Yitzchok Sorotzkin shlit”a. R’ Rahimi partook in the Sephardic halachic project Mishnah Berurah Tiferet. The rabbi can be reached at, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..