Was Einstein Happy?

Torah Reading: Be'halot'cha

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Published: June 10, 2006
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Visitor Comments: 7

(7) josie, June 17, 2006 12:00 AM

thank you so much for words of wisdom i need to learn more about how to live with out worrying of everything. josie

(6) Anonymous, June 16, 2006 12:00 AM

For this you need graduate degrees?

Intelligence doesn't necessarily make one smart, as the good rabbi demonstrates in this video. The South Park kids are more insightful.

(5) Daniela, June 15, 2006 12:00 AM

Hmmm.....

Wouldn't it have been nice to have been taught this at Orthodox Hebrew day school...

(4) Joe, June 13, 2006 12:00 AM

What would Avraham Avinu say?

So,you argue that intelligence is supremely over-rated and that what matters is personal happiness?

I suppose the Slaves trecking around Sinai would have been more happy going back to Egypt. They certainly whined enough about doing so! I suppose that there are happy cattle on the way to the schecter too.

Smart and sad, but seeing clearly, is much better in the long run, then being happy and stupid. Why? Because Hashem never promised you things would be easy. He did however give you a big brain to help figure things out.

In fact, don't we frequently argue that Avraham Avinu *deduced* Hashem's existence? Weren't the results of figuring that out hard on him?

By your lack of logic, he should have been a happy idol maker in the family business.

This little pod-cast really was dissapointing. I don't expect anti-intellectual drivel from rabbaim. What will you say the next time a student complains that Gemara is hard?

(3) A, June 13, 2006 12:00 AM

the grateful mind...

wealth and poverty are of the mind!
I was at a business meeting this afternoon and then while walking towards my car I came accross two elderly ladies one of whom I'm acquainted with, and this was just the topic mentioned in both settings, "smarts" and "happiness" are not related nor dependant on eachother... I learned during difficult times in my marriage that 'if I am as smart as I think I am, then it's not my husband's responsability to 'make' me happy... it is entirely up to me'; I then read a positive affirmation in a secular book 'all I ever need is always taken care of' - now I read that in my siddur, and it taught me to live with an attitude of gratitude for EVERYTHING all day long... and so...I found happiness.
May we all chose to live gratefully for ever. "Grace" and "Happy" will follow.

(2) Yehuda, June 12, 2006 12:00 AM

happiness

I agree assuming that you are talking about wisdom of worldy matters, but what about smartness and knowledge in Torah and understanding G-d's Relationship to the world. Surely that makes you happy. I think you should have made that point a little clearer, that there different types of smartness.

(1) Anonymous, June 11, 2006 12:00 AM

Thou shalt not Covet....and other ways to happiness

Happiness---that elusive something the whole world is seeking after, striving for and stealing and killing for really is found in being content with what we have, being thankful for what God has given us. But no, we forget what we have and want...no matter what we have, a little bit more.

Really happiness is found in obeying God and the commandments---ie--Thou shalt not covet---for this is the whole duty of mankind, to fear God and to keep his commandments. Happiness is not found (other than for a season) in owning things etc but in God. All these other things will pass away and be forgotten.

There is a story I heard again this week of a wealthy businessman meeting a naturalist of normal means.
The naturalist told the wealthy man he was far wealthier than he was. The businessman asked how was that? And the naturalist told him, "because I am content with what I have, I have enough. And you are not content, you want...MORE."

And speaking of "states" of mind, another quote comes to mind,
"...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Shaul of Tarsus.

However,I find I need to constantly be reminded, even though I know well what you say here is true. I have been in the fancy homes and the squalid homes, happiness can be found in either one.
It is all in your state of mind...or perhaps it might be said, your state of heart.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

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In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.