How to Intrigue a Friend to Seek the Meaning of Life?

Avi asks: "Hello. I would really like to ask for a way or suggestion to get a friend interested in the meaning of life and Judaism when he tells me that the subject doesn't interest him. Thanks in advance."

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Hello Avi, and thank you for your important question.

You've asked how we can spark curiosity and interest in our brothers who are questioning to investigate the meaning of life. Before suggesting he watch interesting lectures on various topics on the Hidabroot website and channel, try challenging him as follows. Start with: "May I please ask you five questions? But I'm warning you, each question will be harder than the previous one."

"Sure," he will likely reply, out of curiosity. "Well, the first question is, how long would it take you to choose a pen in a stationery store?" The respondent might answer: "Less than a minute." Continue to ask him: "The second question is: If you were given a sum of money to buy a car, how long would it take you to choose which car to buy?"

To this question, he might say that he would first need to compare different types of cars, check driver reviews, compare prices. Such a choice could take him more than a week. Then proceed to the next question: "Now let me ask you the third question: How long would it take you to choose an apartment to buy?"

In this case, he might reply: "A month or more, because I would need to check the neighborhood, consult with family members, find out who the neighbors are in the building, check construction possibilities, etc."

Move to the next question while increasing interest: "And now to the fourth question, which will of course be harder than the previous ones. Now I ask you to explain your decision-making process, in simpler terms, why you would spend less time choosing a pen than choosing an apartment?"

The respondent will probably answer generally: "It's obvious that an apartment is much more expensive, more important than a stationery item that can be replaced; I will use the apartment for a much longer time." Now challenge him: "Now I will ask you the fifth and hardest question of all: What do you think is the most important thing in your life as a human being?"

After a short thought, he might answer with common responses like health, a source of income, a wife, family, etc.

Then you could explain to him: "You are close to the true answer, but not touching on the main point. I think the answer to this question, what is the most important thing in life, is much simpler: life itself!

As we have seen, all other things are meant to serve your lifestyle. So, your life should be the most important thing for you as a person. For this reason, choosing how to live your life should be the most important thing for you: by this you will know how to build your family, what worldview to educate your children on, and of course how to live life, what to aspire to in life, and what to strive for. These are the most essential questions there are: why do we live, who created us, and what is our purpose, how do we develop our inner self, and what should we aspire to in life, why did we come to the world and what awaits us after death.

The meaning of life is actually the most important thing in your life, and if you are willing to spend several good months and considerable amounts of money on buying a car or apartment, how much time do you think should be invested in searching for life's meaning, in the question of Hashem's existence and the Jewish religion? Fortunately, you can find the answers easily and for free, because the truth requires no payment - just people honest enough with themselves to listen and learn."

At the same time, you could offer him to read the brochure "A Fateful Conversation" (search on Google). This story describes a dialogue with Hashem on all the principles of faith from Aleph to Tav. Good luck!