Our Value

Realizing most folks under 50 have no awareness of the way business was done for centuries upon centuries before the industrial revolution, I want to share a bit of information.  Actually, if it weren't for my fellow congregants in synagogue, I'd have very little knowledge of this, myself; as the way of life I'm about to share basically disappeared through the late 50s and early 60s.

Before the industrial revolution, agriculture was the backbone of this nation and many nations, but not everyone farmed.  There were businessmen who created and produced products, but they were still very much dependent upon agriculture, as we still are today.  We just don't realize it because we, as a society, have so distanced ourselves from the basics.  Before the Great Depression, there were businesses that thrived in towns across America, primarily family businesses in which the family lived in an apartment above the business.  Actually, many of these downtown businesses survived the Great Depression and continued to flourish until the Interstate Highway system was built in the 50s bypassing the downtowns.

The downtown businesses were usually family operations that ranged from bakeries to grocery stores, even clothing shops and jewelry stores.  Farmers had basically the same situation, only they worked the rural  land that had been handed down to them, and often lived in the same farm house in which they'd been born.  The point I'm making here, is men did not measure their self worth and success by their "toys" and extras, but by what their hands and hard work produced.   Business people in town strove to create the finest apparel or long wearing leather craft, exquisite jewelry, or  . . .  a tangible product of worth.  They were recognized for craftsmanship, rather than accumulation.  Farmers strove to have the finest crops and healthy herds, rather than newest tractor and biggest house.

Now that our society has become intensely materialistic and entertainment oriented, one thing has remained consistent.  Entrepreneurs do not need entertainment.  The movers and shakers of this century are not sitting by idly awaiting the next gadget.

I've done a bit of figuring.  When the farmers and businessmen of our history made their living and supported their families, their product, produce, and the manners of their children were a reflection of their success.   Free time was considered laziness and extravagant extras were considered a sign of poor management.  A good farmer or businessman didn't owe anyone.  His value was not in what he made an hour, but what he built in life and what he would hand down to the next generation.

For the most part our society has stopped building and stopped investing.  It takes a significant hourly wage to live for the moment!  Quality craftsmanship has lasting value when applied and taught to the next generation.  Land has lasting value, when worked.  Hourly wages spent on entertainment and gadgets are gone very quickly, and soon forgotten.  Life insurance has replaced inheritances and that basically makes the statement: "we are worth more dead than alive."  

It's not too late to invest our G-d-given talents and invest in the next generation.