The Torah in its largest sense is the entire embodiment of Jewish religion, culture, thought and way of life. It is often thought of as the spiritual anchor or foundation upon which to conduct our lives. It is also said that the Torah is equally relevant in all times.

While all this is true, I personally take an extra special delight in finding in the Torah real information that pertains to real situations in modern life. For example, in the past, in the science arena, I have commented on the fact that I find an amazing correspondence of the Torah’s description of Genesis and the same events discovered 3,000 years later by today’s scientists. In the geopolitical arena, in Masechet Megillah, daf 6b¹ the emergence of an evil state called Germania was predicted, and in the health arena, I commented about the lower COVID infection rates for Jews which could be attributed to their better hygienic habits based on religious practices.

Today’s letter is about economics. I note that in Bava Metzia, daf 42, Rabbi Yitzchak advises that a person should split his money into three partsêone third in land, one third in goods and one third in cash. I think it is remarkable that this was written about 1,500 years ago, and the same formula in its modern equivalent, like—one third real estate, one third stocks and one third cash would be considered a very reasonable and balanced portfolio even today.

Perhaps if more people paid attention to the wisdom that is contained in the Torah and its teachings, not just spiritually but also in practical advice, and use that appreciation as a unifying force, there would be less turmoil and divisiveness in the world today.