The Time to Reinvest is Now

George Soros and Warren Buffet are being asked, "In light of the drastic drop in the Dow, when is the time to reinvest?"

A few years ago, a friend of mine, a rabbi in Los Angeles, was learning Torah with a very wealthy man each week. The man was not particularly religious, but intellectually curious about his Jewish heritage. One week they met as usual, and the rabbi noticed the man seemed down. He asked if he was okay.

"Well rabbi," said the man. "This weekend I attended a party in the Mediterranean. We were flown, along with the other guests, by private jet to Athens, and then by helicopter to the hosts' yacht. All weekend long we dined on the finest meats, fresh seafood and wine. The service was impeccable, the luxury was beyond belief."

"It sounds incredible," said the rabbi. "So why are you so down?"

"I used to think I was wealthy. But now that I experienced this weekend, well, I now realize I'm really not so wealthy after all."

Ancient Talmudic wisdom asks: Who is rich?

The answer: He who takes pleasure in his portion.

All of us have been hit. Who can bear to open up the papers and see the graph lines heading down, down, down....? The operative word is "worry". What will be? Why did this happen? Why did it happen to me? And of course, when is it time to reinvest?

Last December I had the greatest experience of my life. I donated my kidney to a woman I had never met. The story of how it came about is too long to tell, [read A Kidney to Give for more details] but she turned out to be a woman in her late 40s with seven children. A few weeks ago, as I was preparing for Rosh Hashana, cooking for the many guest we were expecting, and trying to get in the right spiritual frame of mind. Soon after my cell phone rang, and I saw that it was the woman I had given my kidney to.

"Hi!" I said. "Shana tova -- a good and happy new year!"

"Lori," she replied. "I am calling to thank you for my life."

I began to cry.

Rabbi Noah Weinberg says: When you know what you'd be willing to die for, then you know what to live for.

Ask anyone, "Would you give your life for your company, or for your stock portfolio?" Of course not. "Would you give your life for your children? Your grandchildren?" Of course!

We wouldn't give our lives for our companies or our stocks, but it seems the bulk of our time, energy and resources are going to them. Yet the people we would give our lives for are seeing very little of us.

The recipient of my kidney told me that when her mother was on her deathbed, she said, "All the times I worried about money, what was it for...?"

Whoever is running this world, (and I don't mean whoever is occupying the White House) is trying to send a big fat message to us all. Don't ask Mr. Soros or Mr. Buffett about when it is time to reinvest. Ask yourself.

Ask, "What would I be willing to die for?"

Now go live for it. The time to reinvest is now.

(9) Claudemiro, November 19, 2008 7:47 AM

I am rich!!!

I do take pleasure in my portion but I didn´t know I was rich. Thank you so much for sharing this message. At the moment, I am preparing a presentation about wealthy people and their "secrets" to get rich. Your article was very usefull to me. Claudemiro - Brazil

(8) RH, November 12, 2008 9:28 PM

Lori you are amazing

I am in awe that you gave your kidneys, and even more in awe how you give of your life to inspire others. Tizku l'mitzvot, Lori!

(7) ruth berkovits, November 7, 2008 8:40 AM

thanks for a wonderful and timely article

my son just lost his job and decided to go back to learn full time in yeshiva for the next six months. I thank HaShem for having sent his Rosh Hayeshivas Rabbi Moshe Katzenstein and Rabbi Knobel for the Yeshiva of Greater Five Towns for being there always for my son and our family. Also as soon as I was able after my son broke the news to me I said Tehillim. HaShem writes the script. Thanks for this wonderful article.

(6) Anonymous, November 3, 2008 7:14 AM

Truth is always Truth

Lori, I am not Jewish, but I am always incredibly blessed by your articles and videos. Truth always is G-d's truth, and I thank you for sharing it so well. This is a most timely article!

(5) sandy, November 3, 2008 7:09 AM

To Rachel

I don't agree this article contains platitudes. To me, this article is viewed as extraordinary encouragement to pick up the pieces and live, nevertheless. Financial crises and lost jobs are not a new phenomenon, and are deep, all encompassing challenges. Lori's words help us see the forest, and turn daily living into spiritual possibility. Thank you Lori.

(4) Chana Jenny Weisberg, November 3, 2008 2:04 AM

thank you

This was perfect, and exactly exactly what I needed to read at this moment. Thanks for reminding me of the Truth.

(3) Chaim Zalmon, November 2, 2008 4:17 PM

Some investment tips

Even though the market looks calmer now, I wouldn't invest in it. The things I have heard are good investment besides the ones that always stand (TORAH AND MITZVOT) is to invest in Iraeli land, and trust in GD (not in a politician) for salvation to come.

(2) Rachel, November 2, 2008 3:11 PM

Don't be so simplistic, Lori

I agree 100 percent that one shouldn't be hysterical about losing a few material possessions. HOWEVER: There are people who were misguided into putting far more into non-secure assets than was wise. There are people who accordingly have lost their retirement income, the money to pay for healthcare, etc. There is going to be a great burden on families, on community organizations, etc. So this pollyanna-ish "don't worry, be happy" article is amiss at a time when families are facing lost jobs, no money for dayschool tuition (my children, to my dismay are now both in public school for financial reasons that preceded the market tumble), foreclosure, eviction, hunger, lack of medical care, need to care for disabled relatives without professional help, etc. I know dozens of people who are good, kind, helpful people who lead lives based on Torah, not the Wall Street Journal, but that doesn't mean they don't have financial issues. They deserve our respect and compassion (and financial help if we can offer it). They don't need platitudes.

(1) Anonymous, November 2, 2008 12:20 PM

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!

Thank you Lori. As usual, you hit the nail on the head! Why do we waste so much time worrying about the stock market's fall instead of utilizing the time helping somebody through a troubling time? The saying "you can't take it with you" comes to mind. You can't take your money with you when you die, but your good deeds follow you.

The Time to Reinvest is Now

Don't ask Mr. Soros or Mr. Buffett about when it is time to reinvest. Ask yourself.

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