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What Do You Think?
What Are You Worth?


By Levi Avtzon

He is worth 4 billion dollars.

She is worth 5.8 billion dollars.

The richest person in the world is worth 53.5 billion dollars.

Worth.

What a funny word. How deceiving. Like, really? Does the size of our bank account determine our worth?

Is a person who built a beautiful marriage, raised healthy children and did his best to pay the bills, but whose bank account is in the four digits (or overdrawn by four digits), worthless?

Does status on Forbes tell us a person’s worth?Is the 40-year-old tycoon who’s divorced for the ninth time, has kids who don’t speak to him, and has earned his money stepping over others, worth it?

There are many wealthy people who are decent and honest fellows, and I am not a socialist who wants to rob them of their earnings. The point I wish to make is: Does status on Forbes tell us a person’s worth?

Or is it other stuff—like the charity we give, the family we raise and the accomplishments of the spirit—that determine our worth?

In the end of the Book of Leviticus (beginning of chapter 27), we read about a person who decides to donate his or her “worth” to G‑d.

How much does this individual pay?

That depends on the age of the individual—in other words, the person’s productive capacity.

Our worth is in our actions, not our credit score. It is not the business magazines that tell the world how much we are worth; rather, it’s the love letters in our drawer and the charity diplomas on the wall that tell us how much we are worth.

So, how much are you worth?
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By Levi Avtzon   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Levi Avtzon lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with his wife Chaya and their son Aharon. He regularly blogs his thoughts and ideas on the weekly Torah reading, current and past events, and the imminence of the Redemption on the Jewish website Chabad.org.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: May 20, 2012
What you Take in your Grave..
You are worth what you take with you in your grave and I believe it is not material things… It is based on your life’s actions and the way you conducted yourself towards your fellow human beings, good and bad.
Posted By Feigele, BR, FL

Posted: May 19, 2012
For whom , are you worth to?
All those with love letters and charity diplomas for sure will be loved by their family and the fellows benefited by the charity. I think we can easily accept the above.
Now let's take care of what concern to G-d.
"In the end of the Book of Leviticus (beginning of chapter 27), we read about a person who decides to donate his or her “worth” to G‑d".
This is today's parshah Behar-Bechukotai. My point is: what is the reason for someone to donate his or her worth? that is not answered in the parshah nor is answered in this article. The answer might be that donating my worth to G-d would make me worthy in G-d eyes, that in turn would make my business prosper and so on. A business can also be donated to God, but what for? the answer might be, to make the business prosper. Does this logic guide us to a plausible thinking?
Posted By Jilimon, Qro, Qro/MEX

Posted: May 19, 2012
Thank you
This was a very timely message of encouragement for me. Thank you.
Posted By April, Aurora, CO

Posted: May 17, 2012
Reply to Shoshana
I am sorry if you felt any 'less' by reading this piece. I tried to contrast the two family lives of the layman and the celebrity. It was not my intention to make singles feel bad.

There is no question that the worth of a person is determined by factors of goodness and kindness regardless of marital status.

Some of the greatest achievements in history happened through singles. In fact it was Mrs. Sara Schenirer who was most probably the most influential woman in Jewish life in the past century, spent most of her revolutionary life single.

Once again, please accept my apologies.
Posted By Rabbi Levi Avtzon, Johannesburg, SA

Posted: May 16, 2012
What are You Worth
I agree with this story: talk is cheap and mitzvot or good deeds are priceless. But here is another question: what is a wife (or husband) worth to their spouse if they are unappreciated and made to feel worthless, despite every effort to accommodate and live a proper Jewish life to the best of our ability?
Posted By Diana Presser, Las Vegas, NM

Posted: May 16, 2012
How Much Am I Worth?
The question raises another--to whom? Certainly to my wife, children and grand children the question would invite responses that might surprise me. Each one, perhaps would reflect on a memory I have long since forgotten but has a value that is not quantifiable in money. Many friends would remember times of humor. What is a good laugh worth?

Not being prominent, I suspect the number of people that know you could be a measure of worth, but the wider the circle the more likely the delusion of value.

FInally, our absolute "worth" is established not by us, but by G-d. Simply looking around our world invites awe and gratitude at the time, energy and purpose of creation. Given the interaction, support and teaching that G-d has invested in this strange and wonderful species--we enjoy a worth greater than we can imagine.
Posted By Jay Pierce, Versailles, KY

Posted: May 16, 2012
Worth?
As a single in the Jewish community... you've once again reinforced the concept that I am worth less, or worthless.

Built a beautiful marriage and family? We're not all as lucky as that.
Posted By Shoshana, New York, NY

Posted: May 15, 2012
socialism
"I am not a socialist who wants to rob them of their earnings." why do you wish to imply that socialism implies _robbing_ ? perhaps in the same fashion that you explore the word, "worth," you should explore the meaning of "socialism," and even "to rob."

the distribution of wealth that includes providing for those who cannot provide for themselves is not defined as "robbery," and is consistent with talmudic concepts. further, fabulous countries employ minor and major elements of socialism, including the united states, israel, canada, france, belgium, japan, mexico, and britain, to just rattle off several.
Posted By Anonymous, long beach, ca

Posted: May 15, 2012
what am i worth?
sometimes I realize that I have to realize my own worth and not care what others think my worth is....
Posted By CG, Fl

Posted: May 15, 2012
What am I worth?
Thank you, Rabbi, for raising this important thought. It makes me wonder how G-d might value me. Certainly, it won't be by the size of my bank account. But if not that then what? You've suggested the elements of a life well lived, family, kindness and enduring relationships. You are right. My G-d who delights in doing His people good, in exercising kindness, mercy and righteousness on earth for the display of His glory, certainly displays His glory in just those things...and not in any bank account I know of. Thank you for your thinking.
Posted By David Kenagy, Salem, Oregon



 


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