Creating Our Own Legacy

Thank G-d I have been blessed with an amazing job at the Kollel. I have the opportunity to learn Torah and meet with so many different people, every single week. I study with people of all ages; from young adults to the residents at Wexner Heritage House, and everything in between. The relationships that I have developed with all my study partners are very close to my heart.
On Monday evenings, throughout the school year, I studied with several Bexley high school students. We had interesting and enjoyable discussions about contemporary issues as well as some deep philosophical concepts. One Monday evening, we were discussing the concept of creating our own legacy and what we would want to be known for. During our discussion, I asked the boys the following question: What would they rather be famous for, leading their team to multiple NBA championships or feeding 100 poor people? They all answered emphatically that they would want to be known for leading their team to the champaign drinking, big parade, picture on the Wheaties cereal box, cover of Sports Illustrated, million dollar endorsement opportunities, and dinner with the President that accompanies the winning of professional championships. However, one student confided in me that if he would become very famous or extremely rich for feeding the poor, he would consider it. There also happened to have been several adults standing around the table when we had this “lively” discussion. A few of them admitted that they would choose to stand next to our youth on the podium and accept the NBA trophies over the opportunity to feed the poor.

Questions for the Shabbos Table: If you were part of our conversation would you choose to be an NBA champion or a champion for the hungry? Remember, you have to be honest, just like the teenagers were in our discussion. Would you be able to give up all the fame and fortune for the opportunity to provide food to 100 hungry people? Would you really take more pride in giving food to the needy over being a great professional athlete? What do you want your legacy to be and what are you doing now to cultivate it?

My thoughts: I think we all can agree that we should want our legacy to be the accomplishment of feeding starving people over having the talent and skill of placing a ball through a hoop. However, we live in a society where moral values are confused. The fact that the media can dedicate an entire week mourning the death of Michael Jackson and celebrating his life (whose own legacy is in serious question based on alleged despicable activities) is sad. Why does the media believe Jackson’s life is more important than all the serious and dangerous events that are going on in the world right now? Yes, he was a good dancer, and innovative entertainer with a good voice, but why is his life more appealing than a random good person that dedicated his/her life for the sake of others?
We have to remember the values we surround ourselves with will play a significant role in who we become, and the legacy we leave behind for the next generation.