What defines success in life (in a Jewish outlook)?
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Very related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/60545/…– LeeJul 27, 2015 at 9:51
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4 Answers
Hm ...
Well, the Gemara Shabbos 31a says that a person will be given the following six-question test after they die; however, this all assumes the person was God-fearing:
אמר רבא: בשעה שמכניסין אדם לדין, אומרים לו: נשאת ונתת באמונה? קבעת עתים לתורה? עסקת בפו"ר? צפית לישועה? פלפלת בחכמה? הבנת דבר מתוך דבר? ואפ"ה אי יראת ה' היא אוצרו
- Did you do your business with integrity?
- Did you fix times for Torah-study?
- Were you involved in raising children?
- Did you look forward to the Redemption?
- Did you delve into wisdom?
- Were you able to apply one topic to another?
So I'd start with those (I know, I'm giving specifics and not generalities).
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Way to find an authoritative answer to such a subjective-looking question! This would be even better if you'd point to the particular source.– Isaac Moses ♦Jun 10, 2010 at 3:29
Achieving greater closeness to G-d - one's own, and that of the wider world (all four of its kingdoms - human, animal, vegetable, and mineral) with which one interacts.
Success in life (from a Jewish outlook) is defined by growth.
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2@adammosheh, I don't see how your edit is valid unless you consulted with Jeremy first.– Seth JAug 6, 2012 at 16:43
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Success in life means after you die the honest Wikipedia page about you will read nicely.
I.e. you have a chelek in olam habah because you added to the meaningful goodness of the world in face of adversity.
People who do not have a chelek in olam habah spoilt their Wikipedia page, they did something more negative than they could compensate for and were unable thereafter to find a place in a meaningful world.
