Thursday, October 12, 2023
Religious People Have Better Well Being Than Others
Gallup World Poll data from 2012-2022 find, on a number of wellbeing measures, that people who are religious have better well being than people who are not," according to the report published on October 10, 2023. Hasidic Rabbis have taught that for 250 years.
Martin Buber, the great Jewish philosopher and scholar of Hasidism, asserted more than a half century ago that, "the purpose of all great religions and religious movements is to engender a life of elation and fervor which no (later painful) experience can dampen and stifle." In this light I offer a sample of Hasidic wisdom sayings that I believe can be used as a departure point by Priests and Ministers as well as Rabbis.
For many people, Hasidic Jews are noticeable because of their Amish-like dress and ultra orthodox behavior. But it is their unique stress on trusting in God and elevating one's soul through joyful religious activities that makes them distinctive. The following wisdom sayings give a taste of the inner spiritual life of Hassidim (Pious Jews).
One of the most important teachings of Hassidic Rabbis was not to worry about the future or sacrifice present joy because you fear it will not last very long. After all, most things people worry about never occur. As Rabbi Mordecai of Lekhovitz taught, "We must not worry. Only one worry is O.K. We should worry about (always) being worried."
Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Kotzk was very strict in selecting disciples. He asked each new student: "What hiddush (new insight) have you brought me?" A good teacher wants a disciple who is not only open to new insights from his teacher; but is capable of providing them for others.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel also taught: Strife exists only because each faction claims that (religious) TRUTH is on its side. When "Truth is cast to the ground" (Daniel 8:12) the automatic result is peace. He once asked his disciples "Where can you find God? The other sages say that God is everywhere. I say God is wherever a person lets God in."
Comments:
Post a Comment
