What defines success in life (in a Jewish outlook)?
Asked
Active
Viewed 238 times
8
-
Very related: http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/60545/what-is-the-purpose-of-life-on-this-earth – Lee Jul 27 '15 at 09:51
4 Answers
14
Hm ...
Well, the Gemara Shabbos 31a says that a person will be given the following six-question test after they die; however, this all assumes the person was God-fearing:
אמר רבא: בשעה שמכניסין אדם לדין, אומרים לו: נשאת ונתת באמונה? קבעת עתים לתורה? עסקת בפו"ר? צפית לישועה? פלפלת בחכמה? הבנת דבר מתוך דבר? ואפ"ה אי יראת ה' היא אוצרו
- Did you do your business with integrity?
- Did you fix times for Torah-study?
- Were you involved in raising children?
- Did you look forward to the Redemption?
- Did you delve into wisdom?
- Were you able to apply one topic to another?
So I'd start with those (I know, I'm giving specifics and not generalities).
Shalom
- 132,602
- 8
- 193
- 489
-
Way to find an authoritative answer to such a subjective-looking question! This would be even better if you'd point to the particular source. – Isaac Moses Jun 10 '10 at 03:29
4
Achieving greater closeness to G-d - one's own, and that of the wider world (all four of its kingdoms - human, animal, vegetable, and mineral) with which one interacts.
Alex
- 90,513
- 2
- 162
- 379
3
Success in life (from a Jewish outlook) is defined by growth.
-
2@adammosheh, I don't see how your edit is valid unless you consulted with Jeremy first. – Seth J Aug 06 '12 at 16:43
-
0
Success in life means after you die the honest Wikipedia page about you will read nicely.
I.e. you have a chelek in olam habah because you added to the meaningful goodness of the world in face of adversity.
People who do not have a chelek in olam habah spoilt their Wikipedia page, they did something more negative than they could compensate for and were unable thereafter to find a place in a meaningful world.
pcoz
- 2,020
- 8
- 12