A Time for Reckoning

The WTC and Pentagon attacks a year ago shocked the world, opening a Pandora's box of Ossamas, Taliban and Jihads that launched us into a global War on Terror. Hundreds of our Israeli brothers and sisters were massacred and thousands maimed by  Arafat's Suiciders; encouraged by the acquiescing UN and EU who condemn Israel for defending itself. We were shocked by Al Queda's network, as Pakistani sheiks gruesomely murdered Danny Pearl, his dying words: "I am A Jew."

The stock market shocked us, too. Anxiety and corporate scandals sent stocks tumbling, turning fortunes into illusions as greedy, fraudulent CEO's finagled people's life savings and pensions.

Now is the time to take stock. During the High Holidays our personal spiritual books are being audited, as we pray to be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Right now, let's leave financial problems to the SEC, and do some personal accounting, not just the dollar-and-cents accounting. Instead of Wall St. bonds and treasuries, let's focus on spiritual treasures, family bonds, mutual trust and enduring Torah values.

We're devastated by the pump-and-dump scandals that overrated stocks and listed liabilities as assets. In our Yom Kippur repentance, let us evaluate the spiritual interests we pursue, review our priorities and examine our real worth.

The wealthy Sir Moses Montefiore was once asked, 'Sir Moses, how much are you worth?' He thought, and gave a figure. The other said, 'Can't be. You're surely worth 10 times that amount!'

Sir Moses replied, 'You didn't ask me how much I own. You asked me what I'm worth. So I told you what I contribute to charity. We are worth only what we share with others.'

The Mitzvah of charity beats the market! It allows us to show a loss as a profit! A charitable donation is not just a write-off; it remains a valuable asset in our Mitzvah portfolio forever! Not that Torah doesn't care for our here and now. We certainly should not divest all our earthly holdings. On the contrary, Judaism encourages us to pursue our livelihood and to have the means. But the means should not become an end in itself.

The Talmud relates that the Roman Emperor Hadrian sent his nephew Onkelus to seek his fortune, advising him to recognize opportunity. "If you see a depressed commodity with a future, buy it!"

Onkelus found Judaism during his travels, and was so impressed that he converted, and become a great Jewish scholar and translator.

The Emperor was furious. "Instead of becoming rich and famous, you became Jewish?!"

Onkelus replied: "Dear uncle, you told me to find unappreciated values with a future. That's Judaism!"

Obviously, Judaism is now a great bargain! It is not listed on the DJ indexes or Fortune 500, but Torah is a commodity that "supercedes gold, silver and precious stones." (Psalm 19)

'Money isn't everything,' and, really, how real is real estate? Even FDIC insured cash in the bank is only short term, as the Yiddish saying: 'Shrouds have no pockets.' "Material wealth won't follow us at death, only the Mitzvos we did during our lifetime."(Ethics of our Fathers 6)

Dumped by the rest of the world, Israel seems at a low. Yet we have faith and confidence in the future ahead when Israel will prevail, Torah values will soar and be universally appreciated. We look forward through the current turbulence to the promise of the Final Redemption.

Immune to market fluctuations, Judaism's long and solid track record offers stability throughout the ups and downs, a safety net when all else comes crashing down. Judaism's growth potential is out-of-this-world for investors with foresight.

And here's a quote on dividends and futures:

"Enjoy dividends in this world and the principal remains for the world-to-come by honoring parents, offering free loans, rising early for prayer, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick, assisting a bride to marriage, honoring the dead, promoting peace between people and husband and wife, and Torah study." (Mishna in the morning service)

As we usher in the New Year, let us pray for homeland security and economic recovery, and above all, for universal peace throughout the world with Moshiach, speedily in our days.