“Our generation should be the happiest in history.  It is the most miserable.”

March 22, 1970

On Purim in 1970, Rabbi Olan reflected on that time in the Jewish calendar that is supposed to be dedicated to fun.  The ability to derive enjoyment from a simple Jewish festival, he argued, had become unattainable for adults, and had been relegated to the younger generation.  This led to the observation that despite humanity having attained the greatest physical comfort in history, they were the unhappiest.

The rabbi’s prescription was neither religious nor philosophical: simple living, creativity, and free time.  “Are these attainable today?  Of course they are, if you are willing to pay the price and if you want it very much.”

*Written by Joshua F. Hirsch*