Work Smarter, Not Harder.
In 2016, Adam LaRoche, the First Baseman of the White Sox, made national headlines when he decided to retire a year early and forfeit the remaining $13 million from his contract. This decision was made after his manager told him that he could no longer bring his 14-year-old son to the team clubhouse during practice and training.
During his exit interview, Adam explained his reasoning, stating, “Our kids are going to follow in our footsteps, good or bad. And you know, we got a small window here, a very small window here, to turn them into the men that they're going to be. And I don't want to miss six months of that window, even for $13 million.”
Adam went on to say, “Honestly, it's not the end of the world to me. And I thank my parents for that. The way I was raised. Because baseball -- and I've said it before, I don't want to be defined by this game. I know there's a lot more to life.”
You may have heard the expression "time is money," but Judaism teaches us that time has infinite value when used appropriately. Can we place a price tag on the time we spend with our children or grandchildren at the Seder table while transmitting the beauty of our Jewish heritage to them? Can we measure the moment when a doctor saves a patient's life in an operating room? Is it possible to fully comprehend and appreciate the impact we have on another person through seemingly insignificant encounters or conversations?
Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz), was a world-famous Jewish scholar, educator, and author. He was the first to translate the Talmud into modern Hebrew and English, making it accessible to millions of Jews across the globe.
At one point, feeling overwhelmed by his crushing workload consisting of multiple “full-time jobs,” Rabbi Adin wrote to the Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, asking his advice as to which duties he should drop. The Rebbe replied: "Continue doing everything and add more." It was a directive that he took to heart, often explaining by way of physics how the Rebbe was empowering him to succeed far beyond his expectations.
A fundamental fact in nature is that matter takes up space. For example, a box can only contain a limited amount of objects. However, through the study of physics we have discovered that when applying hundreds of thousands of times the usual pressure on an object, the molecules of the matter collapse and the very nature of the object changes. As a result, a box that previously was only able to handle a certain amount of objects can now contain an incomparable greater amount.
The same applies to our perception of reality and our apparently limited time. The Torah provides us with the tools and inspiration to change our perspective on how we view ourselves and our purpose on earth, and by extension, how we value our time. We are not on this earth solely to survive and take advantage of all the delightful physical pleasures available to us. Instead, more importantly, we are all endowed with a divine soul - a literal piece of G-d - and empowered with a mission to transform this world for the better and make G-d feel at home in His universe.
From a Jewish perspective, the genuine value of our time is not based on external factors and circumstances but is measured by our unique mission and purpose on this earth. When we begin to view our lives through that lens, our time assumes infinite value, regardless of our age, lifestyle, family, or business responsibilities. Every moment presents an opportunity to positively impact the world around us. Each Mitzvah that we perform is an opportunity for our souls to connect with G-d and assist one another.
While almost all physical aspects of our lives can be replaced, time is generally regarded as the exception to the rule. At every moment of our day, we are presented with a choice to utilize or, G-d forbid, waste an opportunity. However, Judaism teaches that we have the ability to recover and make up for lost time. If a person learns from their past mistakes and uses them as a springboard for future growth, they can make up for missed opportunities.
In Hebrew, it is called Hatzlacha Be'zman (i.e., success with time). When we remain fully present and focused on our goals by setting our priorities straight, spending quality time with our family, allocating a few minutes each day to connect with G-d by praying and studying Torah, and taking the time to assist others in need, G-d will ensure that we accomplish much more in less time. As the saying goes, "work smarter, not harder."
Following their exodus from Egypt over three thousand years ago, the Jewish people counted each day in anticipation of the moment when they would receive the Torah on Mount Sinai. Shortly after being granted the gift of freedom on Passover, the Jewish people were given the Torah, which is an instruction manual on how to properly carry out their purpose in life. To be truly liberated, it is not enough to leave our personal "slavery" and confinements; we also need a purpose and goal in life. Without clarity and purpose, while we may overcome one form of negative habit or addiction, another one will fill the void in its place.
To commemorate and apply the lessons from that unique period, we have been given a Mitzvah called Sefiras Haomer, to count each of the 49 days between the Holidays of Passover and Shavuot. The commandment is read in this week's Torah portion Emor: “You shall count for yourselves from the morrow of the Shabbat, from the day on which you bring the Omer offering; seven complete weeks they shall be.” (Leviticus 23:15 ).
One of the lessons we can derive from this special Mitzvah is the importance of counting and being cognizant of our time and using it productively. There's an expression from the Rebbe Rashab, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneerson (1860-1920), "The hours must be 'counted hours,' then the days will be 'counted days.' When a day passes one should know what they have accomplished and what remains yet to be done... In general, one should always see to it that tomorrow should be much better than today."
Just as the Jewish people counted down the days in anticipation of receiving the Torah many years ago, so too we count the last few moments in the current exile in anticipation for the coming of redemption when peace and prosperity will prevail for all nations on earth!
