If You're Looking for Balance, the Torah is Your Guide

To the previous chapter, The First Reason: Life with Meaning

In the previous article, we discussed what makes observant Jews more satisfied with their lives than others, according to statistics. We presented the first reason, life with meaning. However, there are many more reasons.

The Second Reason: The Secret of Balance

Western culture has adopted a materialistic culture filled with desires and passions. On the other hand, in the Far East, there are sects that go to the opposite extreme by abstaining from worldly matters and subjecting themselves to suffering and pain. Members of these sects attempt to sleep on thorns and nails, avoid eating and drinking, and afflict their bodies in every possible way, believing that the more the body is crushed and suffers, the more spirituality and the soul are enhanced.

According to Judaism, this approach is not correct. As Rambam wrote (Chapter 1, Law 1): "One might say: 'Since jealousy, desire, and honor are bad paths that drive a person out of this world, I will withdraw from them exceedingly and distance myself from the last extreme, to the point that one would not eat meat, not drink wine, not marry a woman, not live in a nice dwelling, and not wear nice clothes but sackcloth and coarse wool like the idol worshippers. This too is a bad path, and it is forbidden to follow it. One who follows this path is called a sinner!"

Thus, the Torah teaches a person to balance between material and spiritual, sanctifying the material by infusing it with spirituality.

A person who lives according to the Torah's path achieves balance. He does not go to extremes of spirituality, leading to spiritual desolation, nor does he go to extremes of materialism, ceasing to enjoy and missing both this world and the next. As King Solomon said (Proverbs 25:16): "Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled and vomit it!" Yet, one cannot know on their own where that "enough" is, and therefore the Torah provides guidance with correct boundaries and instructions on when to stop and how to sanctify the material. 

For example, the Torah gives guidance to get married and build a life with your partner, but before that, avoid inappropriate physical contact, and once you're married, keep the laws of family purity. Why? Because it actually leads to a deeper, more meaningful connection, and even enhances your enjoyment.

Regarding food, enjoy what you eat and drink, but say a blessing first, and avoid eating animals that have negative traits, like those that live in filth or are aggressive and cruel. The idea is that what you consume affects you on more than just a physical level.

Work hard, use your skills to shape the world—but then pause every seventh day for Shabbat. It’s not just rest; it’s a chance to rise above the day-to-day and reconnect with something deeper.

That’s the general theme of the Torah’s teachings—finding balance, meaning, and a higher purpose in the everyday.  (Rabbi Zamir Cohen in his book "Treasures of Jewish Wisdom", Chapter 5, Mishnah 1, and in his book "The Code", Chapter 7).

It's no wonder that those who follow the path of the Torah and commandments, balancing between spirituality and materialism in the correct way as guided by divine instruction, are happier and more satisfied with their lives in this world.

In the next chapter, The Third Reason: Desire Management