Jewish Wisdom for LifeAsk, and find light

Lesson 036 · posted Sat Sep 12 2026

Facing a Big Decision?

What Judaism says about choosing: five ideas, each with its source.

5 things Judaism can teach us about choosing. You won't be sure. Decide anyway. Counsel, then courage. The clarity comes on the road.

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  1. 1

    Get a teacher. Get a friend.

    עשה לך רב
    “Make for yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every person favorably.”Pirkei Avot 1:6

    Pirkei Avot 1:6. The Mishnah's first advice for a hard call is not a method. It is two people. One who knows more than you, and one who knows you.

  2. 2

    Many counselors, one rescue.

    רב יועץ
    “Where there is no counsel a people falls, but in many counselors there is salvation.”Proverbs 11:14

    Proverbs 11:14. Not one wise voice. Many. The verse expects the counsel to disagree, and calls the disagreement salvation.

  3. 3

    Don't trust yourself completely.

    אל תאמין בעצמך
    “Do not trust in yourself until the day of your death.”Pirkei Avot 2:4

    Pirkei Avot 2:4. Confidence is useful. Certainty is a warning sign. The Mishnah keeps a little doubt in the room on purpose.

  4. 4

    Watching the wind plants nothing.

    שמר רוח
    “He who watches the wind will not sow; he who looks at the clouds will not reap.”Ecclesiastes 11:4

    Ecclesiastes 11:4. Perfect conditions do not arrive. The farmer who waits for them has no harvest, and neither does the person who waits to be sure.

  5. 5

    Do first. Understand later.

    נעשה ונשמע
    “We will do and we will hear.”Exodus 24:7

    Exodus 24:7. At Sinai the people said it in that order. Some understanding only comes after the step. You cannot think your way to what only walking teaches.

You won't be sure. Decide anyway.

Counsel, then courage. The clarity comes on the road.

Save this for the crossroads, and send it to someone stuck between two doors.

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Sources

Art on the slides: Alfred Sisley, The Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne (1872) · Aelbert Cuyp, Piping Shepherds (ca. 1643–44) · Samuel Scott, The Building of Westminster Bridge · Simon Denis, Cloud Study (Distant Storm) (ca. 1786–1806) · Simon Denis, Cloud Study (Early Evening) (ca. 1786–1806) · Charles-François Daubigny, Apple Blossoms (1873) · Richard Parkes Bonington, View near Rouen (ca. 1825). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, open access.