Picture this: A man and a woman arrive at a restaurant for a blind date. After some initial small talk, the woman leans forward and asks, “So, tell me about yourself.”

“Well,” says the gentleman, “I’m six feet one and a half and weigh two hundred and ten pounds, and my blood type is O negative. How about you?”

What’s wrong here? She asked her suitor for information about himself, and he replied honestly. Yet, while his words are true, they are not meaningful in the context of identifying a potential romantic partner. In such a situation, the individual wants to understand the other person’s values—their goals, passions, and priorities in life.

Consider this alternative response: “I’m a doctor. I like to work out and have done a lot of travelling.” This might have gone over far better. The woman would likely interpret this to mean the person in front of her is bright, hardworking, goal-oriented, healthy, and adventurous. If these are traits she admires in a mate, she would likely want to continue the relationship instead of asking for the check.

This discussion highlights the difference between truth and meaning. While truth lies in the physical domain, values and meaning relate more to the abstract. In modern times, we have become increasingly scientific, gaining the ability to understand and define our physical environment with precision. However, we do not experience day-to-day life solely through objective, observable facts. (Hence, the man in our story did not impress his date.) but through our perceptions and experiences. These perceptions guide us in making sense of our surroundings and the people we encounter. For example, we see a nation’s flag not simply as a piece of cloth; it embodies its people’s values, sacrifices, and aspirations. Similarly, the actions and values we observe in others carry a deeper meaning that transcends the objective facts of their behavior, revealing much more about their character and priorities.

The power of stories plays a central role in how we pass down these values. Through stories, we communicate the deeper meanings that define our lives. Stories allow us to share the experiences, actions, and values of others in ways that facts alone cannot. This brings us to the Torah and the characters we read about there, particularly in the book of Bereishit (Genesis). These stories reveal the core values that have shaped the Jewish nation and continue to shape today’s world. The values of faith, resilience, kindness, and courage, which our ancestors embodied, have influenced not just Jewish identity but the moral framework of Western civilization. When we share these stories with our children, we do more than pass down history; we pass down principles that guide us toward meaningful, purposeful lives. By embodying these values, they honor the legacy of our forebears and help build a future rooted in trust in G-d, compassion for others, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Rabbi Tzvi Berkson

Torah Studies, Gr. 6