Choose Life: The Parable of Diamonds and Rotten Potatoes — What It Really Means to Live with Purpose

“It Is Better to Go to a House of Mourning Than to a House of Feasting” For that is the end of every person — and the living should take it to heart (Kohelet 7:2)

The Living Should Take to Heart

This verse expresses one of Shlomo Hamelech's deepest insights: moments of sorrow and loss awaken the human soul to reflection and truth.

“And the living should take to heart” — this is the true purpose of visiting a house of mourning. It reminds us of life’s impermanence and of our mission on earth. When a person confronts mortality — his own or another’s, he is stirred to ask: From where did I come? Where am I going? And what is the purpose of my life?

As the Kad HaKemach writes: “The essence of this verse is to warn man not to be consumed by the vanities of this world, nor to make them his primary concern. Rather, he should contemplate his end, humble his heart, and direct his nature toward Divine service. For the house of mourning softens the heart — and humility is the foundation of true worship. When a person sees generations passing, friends and loved ones departing from before his very eyes, his heart trembles, and he takes moral lesson. His arrogant heart is subdued.”

“And You Shall Choose Life”

Later, the Torah commands: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil… therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live — to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments…” (Devarim 30:15–20)

At first glance, the verse seems unnecessary. Why does God urge us to “choose life”? Who would ever willingly choose death or evil?

In truth, this “choice” is not between literal life and death, but between the eternal and the fleeting, between spiritual diamonds and decaying potatoes.

The Parable of the Lost Treasure

A poor man once found a map leading to a mysterious “Island of Diamonds.” He borrowed money, bought a small ship, and after a long voyage finally reached the island.

To his astonishment, the shore was covered with what looked like ordinary stones — yet when he picked them up, he saw they were pure diamonds!

Excited, he began filling his bags, but soon the island natives appeared, laughing at him. “Foolish traveler,” they said, “why are you collecting rocks?”

“These aren’t rocks!” he exclaimed. “They’re diamonds!”

The natives laughed even louder. “Here,” they said, “diamonds are worthless. The real treasure is potatoes. Those are rare, precious, and traded for every necessity. Only the hardworking grow them.”

At first, the man doubted their words — but as he stayed on the island, he saw they were right: those who grew potatoes were wealthy and honored. Eventually, he too began planting potatoes, working day and night. After months of labor, he had accumulated many sacks. Overjoyed, he boarded his ship to return home, dreaming of the fortune awaiting him.

His family welcomed him with great celebration. Eagerly, they gathered to see his treasures. He opened the first sack — and out rolled a pile of rotting potatoes. Sack after sack, the same. The crowd fell silent in shock.

Only then did his wife notice something glittering in the corner — a single diamond, large and pure. “My dear husband,” she said, “why didn’t you tell me you hid a real treasure among these worthless things?”

He wept bitterly: “I worked so hard for these potatoes, and ignored the diamonds scattered before my eyes!”

The Lesson

This is our story. We have come into this world — the true Island of Diamonds, to gather eternal treasures: Torah, good deeds, faith, kindness, and truth.

The world around us mocks and distracts. It tells us the “real” treasures are pleasure, luxury, entertainment — the “potatoes” of the body and ego. And so, many waste their days chasing what rots, instead of collecting what endures.

When God says “Choose life,” He means: “Choose what gives your soul life. Choose truth, love, humility, and good deeds. Don’t mistake what is temporary for what is eternal.”

As the prophet warns: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.” (Yeshayahu 5:20)

True life — both in this world and the next — is found only in walking in God’s ways: “To love the Lord your God, to walk in His paths, and to keep His commandments.”

The Rambam’s Testament

In his ethical will to his sons, Maimonides (the Rambam) wrote: “Know that everything will be brought to judgment — the revealed and the hidden, the good and the bad. He who does good will be rewarded in this world: his peers will honor him, and when his days are complete, he will rejoice at the fruits of his deeds, unafraid of death. But he who pursues evil — evil will pursue him. His actions will destroy him, and his name will be covered in darkness. Therefore, my sons, recognize the superiority of light over darkness, reject death and evil, and choose life and good — for the choice is yours.”