“Who is wealthy? He who is happy with his lot in life.”

-Simeon Ben Zoma

The Hebrew word “dayenu” means “enough for us”. It is a reminder that we have enough, do enough, make enough, are enough, in this and every moment. It’s enough, already!

Simon ben Zoma says that if we are happy with what we have, who we are, then we are truly wealthy. We all know people for whom nothing is ever enough. There’s always another dollar to earn, task to complete, need to fill, want to satisfy. But as the old saying goes, you can’t get enough of what you don’t really need! And though wants are many, needs are few. Most of us have most of our needs met most of the time, and quite a few of our wants as well.

Studies show that people get happier as basic needs are met, but when we reach a state of affluence, more than enough, happiness begins to taper off. We may even come down with  a case of “affluenza”, an ailment caused by too much stuff, and not enough soul.  How big a backpack do I need to move through life, anyway? It’s less than we guess.

In what ways are you most wealthy, and what matters most to you today?

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Simeon ben Zoma, also known as Simon ben Zoma, Shimon ben Zoma or simply Ben Zoma was a Tanna of the first third of the 2nd century CE. His name is used without the title “Rabbi” because he died at a young age, remaining in the grade of “pupil” and never receiving rabbinical ordination.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.