Get A Life!

The mothers are gathered and showing their nachas. One boasts of her son, the head of a medical department; the other has a son, a judge, and a daughter, psychiatrist. One of the women is quiet through it all. Finally, they turn to her and ask: “Well, what does your son do?” “He’s a Rabbi!” “A Rabbi? What kind of a profession is that for a nice Jewish boy?”
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What is considered living a productive life?
Is it being a member of the major leagues and hitting a grand slam that wins the World Series? After all, being revered by millions of diehard fans would, according to many people show ultimate achievement.
Would productivity mean winning the presidency and keeping your popularity over 50% for two terms? That’s certainly success.
Today, many people write autobiographies about “My life” or “My vision.” It seems that the whole world is interested in reading about the challenges every high school dropout experienced until he or she finally “made it” – to Hollywood, that is.
Well, it may be time to reconsider our definition. Let’s take a look at G-d’s view of the term “productive,” which we find it in the Torah portion of this week.
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“Ladies and Gentlemen, please open your Bibles to the fifth section, titled “The life of Sarah.” The portion begins with the death of Sarah, the first matriarch who dies from the shock of hearing her son was to be sacrificed. Abraham comes to eulogize…”
Joey raises his hand: “Rabbi, why is the section titled the Life of Sarah, if right at the start we learn of her passing?”
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In essence, before we probe the meaning of a productive life, we must delve deeper and question: What is life? Does life have meaning and purpose? Why were we born? Once one appreciates life, he can admire and, more important, live a productive life.
One thing is a fact. The Big Bang is not a theory; it’s an excuse, an avenue of escape from obligation and commitment. Random mutation from monkeys implies that we have no past to live up to, no future for which to stand up. When we acknowledge our Creator and His infinity, we are forced to believe in a deeper reality. We are on a mission that was started 5767 years ago, one that will culminate in the Messianic age.
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Rabbi: “Good point, Joey! Yet the explanation lies in your question. For it is only after one leaves this world that his productivity can be measured: What has he left in this world? What positive change has he implemented and inspired?
“Sarah left Isaac – she built a nation. When we see her children following in her footsteps, we can rightfully proclaim: Here is a woman who lives! This is a person who believed in her convictions and passed them on to the next generation. How productive a life! That is the true life of Sarah.”
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Are you working on changing the world for the good? Are you leaving a positive imprint on humanity? Do your convictions and beliefs bring light to others? If the answer is yes, then you are living a truly productive life. And G-d will enjoy reading your book, the story of your life.