One of the greatest quotes of all time is from Helen Keller. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart”. This powerful message from Helen is very personal one. Helen Keller was a deaf-mute who went on to receive a degree from Harvard University and become a prolific author. This message that our senses are not enough, that we must feel and connect to the reality around us is found in a deeper sense in Judaism.

One of the most basic needs to succeed as a religious Jew is surrounding oneself with the tools to keep a Jewish lifestyle. A devout community, Kosher food and a Mikveh are just some of the necessities for a Jew in order “to keep” his Judaism. As much as this surrounding is important, many times a Jew’s faith is tested when he leaves his comfort zone and is exposed to outside world.

The Vilna Gaon (Rav Eliyahou of Vilna) is famous for claiming that essential lessons from the Torah are strongest when they first appear in Chumash. We understand the importance of kindness from Avraham Avinu even though the Torah brings the Mitzvah of Chesed much later in scripture.

We live in a world of results. Entrepreneurs, Politicians and the ordinary Laymen all care about the end result. We are educated in the western world that in order to succeed you must have a toolbox of skills and a reputation in order to succeed. Judaism understands this perspective and embraces it in certain areas.

Hashem has given humanity the gift of life and intellect to invest his energies in building and improving the world around him. In this article, we explore the double role of man, as both a leader and a follower.