We’re all being lied to constantly. It’s everywhere—on our screens, in our schools, and in government. But once the glass is shattered, you start seeing it all over the place. 

The only truth is the Torah. The Torah has all the answers.  The Torah gives us our values and tells us how to live.

Pirkei Avot quotes Ben Bag Bag about the Torah: “Delve into it, and continue to delve into it, for everything is in it.” Everything. Not some things. Not most things. Everything.

Shattering the Glass in Hawaii

Years ago, I was on a family vacation in Hawaii. As we were strolling down the street right by the beach, we saw a whole bunch of tents pitched along the shore. I casually commented to my wife that next time, instead of booking an expensive hotel, maybe we should just camp out on the beach. A minute later, we were approached by a news crew asking to interview us.

We agreed, not thinking much of it. They asked how we felt about the homeless situation in Hawaii that, according to them, was ruining tourists’ vacations. I was surprised and told them that I hadn’t seen a single homeless person since we’d arrived. They pointed to the beach and said, “Those tents? That’s the homeless.” I had no idea. They looked like anyone else enjoying their time on the beach.

The interviewer asked me a bunch of pointed questions, trying to steer the conversation in a certain direction. I responded honestly, explaining that we’d just come from New York and LA, and “unfortunately, there are homeless people everywhere.” I went on to say that I empathized with the homeless and didn’t think the problem was what they were making it out to be.

When the interview ended, they thanked me and told me I’d be on the 6 pm news that evening. I was excited—it was my first time on TV, after all. But when I tuned in, I was shocked. They showed the interviewer asking me what I thought about the homeless problem in Hawaii, and the only part of my response they aired was me saying, “There are homeless people everywhere.”

That moment shattered the glass for me. I started noticing the lies everywhere. The media bias. The spin from politicians. The hidden agendas in our education system. Government policies masquerading as benefits for citizens. Even the food and drug guidelines we’re told to follow—so much of it is propaganda designed to shape our beliefs and behaviors.

Falsehood and Lies are Nothing New

We grow up in a society that feeds us what they want us to believe. But this isn’t new. We’ve been dealing with this since the beginning of time. Avraham grew up in a world where idol worship was the norm, and anyone who didn’t conform was a target. Yaakov worked for his father-in-law Lavan for 20 years, enduring lies and deceit every single day. And then there’s the story of the new Pharaoh who conveniently “forgot” who Yosef was and put Bnei Yisrael into slavery.

The lying and falsehood didn’t stop with blood libels in each generation. It’s ongoing, and it’s pervasive, infiltrating every aspect of society.

But amidst this darkness, we as Jews have a mission. We are meant to be a light unto the nations, sharing the timeless wisdom of the Torah with the world—not looking to society to teach us how to live. Even the good advice that experts offer today, the kind that resonates as true and beneficial, actually has its roots in the Torah. The world is finally catching up to what the Torah has been teaching us for thousands of years.

The Torah said it first, and now more than ever, it’s time for us to recognize it, live by it, and share it. 

The Torah said it First and here’s the proof:

• Gratitude Practices: Modern psychology emphasizes the importance of gratitude exercises, like keeping a gratitude journal, to increase happiness and well-being. The Torah has been teaching this for millennia through the daily recitation of blessings (brachot), which encourage constant awareness and appreciation for Hashem’s gifts.

• The Power of Consistency: Productivity experts rave about the power of small, consistent actions for long-term success. But the Torah already highlighted this through the daily offering of the Korban Tamid, showing us that regular, committed service to Hashem leads to great spiritual achievements.

• The Importance of Rest: Today’s wellness gurus recommend taking a day off each week to recharge. The Torah instituted Shabbat thousands of years ago—a day not just for rest, but for spiritual renewal and connection with family and community.

• Visualization and Positive Thinking: The popular concept of “visualization” and positive affirmations is rooted in Torah teachings. The principles of Bitachon (trust in Hashem) and Emunah (faith) encourage us to envision Hashem’s protection and blessings in every aspect of life, fostering a positive and faith-driven mindset.

• Work-Life Balance: Experts today stress the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. The Torah has long taught this through the observance of Shabbat and Jewish holidays, which mandate time for rest, family, and spiritual reflection, ensuring work doesn’t dominate our lives.

• Mindfulness and Meditation: The current trend of mindfulness meditation for stress reduction and focus has its roots in Jewish practices such as hitbodedut (personal prayer in seclusion) and deep contemplation during prayer, encouraging mindfulness and a deeper connection with the divine.

• Charitable Giving: Today, giving to charity is promoted as a way to increase personal happiness and fulfillment. The Torah, through the mitzvah of tzedakah, has always taught that giving not only helps others but also purifies the soul and brings blessings to the giver.

• Ethical Leadership: Leadership experts stress leading with integrity and serving others. The Torah provides numerous examples of ethical leadership, such as Moshe Rabbeinu, who led with humility and a deep sense of responsibility toward his people.

So, you see, we don’t need to look elsewhere for guidance. The Torah said it first. The more we turn to the Torah and live by its advice and values, the better our lives will be. Then, we can truly live the dream—not just for ourselves, but as a beacon of light for the world.

I’ll be diving deeper into all of the above and more as we go. Subscribe to my newsletter to join my journey.