Timeless Torah

Vice President Dan Quale is worried about values. Parents and educators are worried about values. The question that must be asked is: Whose values?
One imagines that all decent people have an innate sense of right and wrong. While the headlines seem to belie this belief in the basic goodness of man, one can argue that these are aberrations. In truth, however, not only criminals, but even the common man propagates a value system directly opposed to true Jewish ot Torah standards.
This week’s Ethics of our Fathers is a perfect example. There we are taught, “Who is a wise person? He that learns from everyone; Who is strong? He who subdues his impulses; Who is wealthy? He who is satisfied with what he has; Who is honorable? He who honors others.”
Any Gallop poll would clearly show how differently contemporary society thinks. Who is wise? One that can teach! The strong? Those who dominate others. The wealthy? Those with many possessions. The honorable? Those who receive acclaim.
The Torah says the reverse. True wisdom is the capacity to learn. Dignity of status plays no role, if there is an opportunity to learn form someone else. This is the real scholar.
Strength is another misunderstood value. In terms of physical might, one is only powerful until he faces someone mightier. True strength is mastery over oneself. Subduing one’s anger, bad nature or passions is a much more difficult battle.
Wealth! If you always have only half of what you desire how can you be called wealthy? But if you enjoy and are content with what you have, then you are the happiest person alive.
And honor! Always looking for praise is hardly an honorable trait. It is honoring others, being able to appreciate and recognize another’s abilities, that is the barometer by which to measure one's true worth.
Living with Torah values produces happiness while contemporary goals are like trying to fill bottomless pits. Believe me, this is valuable advice.