An Open Letter to University Presidents
3 min read
My answer to the question: What’s your Roman Empire?
The recent Tiktok craze asking men how often they think about the Roman Empire reveals the surprising phenomenon that most men think about it if not daily, then at least a couple of times of week. Apparently, the Roman Empire is on the male mind just about all the time.
Is something wrong with me? I can’t remember the last time I thought of the Roman Empire. I guess it was a couple of months ago during Tisha B’Av that marks the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem; the destruction of the second temple happened under the hands of those Romans.
Now the trend is delving into the female version of “what’s your Roman Empire” (motherhood, Taylor Swift and sadly being a victim of a violent crime).
@kirakosarin “theres so much to think about!” 🫠 #romanempire ♬ original sound - Kira Kosarin
This got me thinking about a Jew’s response to the question.
Judaism actually details six things that should be on a Jew’s mind every waking moment, far more intensely than the Roman Empire. They are called The Six Constant Mitzvot, and what makes them different from the other commandments is that every Jewish man and woman is obligated to observe them all the time. They create the ideal mindset of the believing Jew.
The Six Constant Mitzvot create the ideal mindset of the believing Jew.
This is a vast topic (I suggest a couple of excellent books for further reading below) but here are my quick interpretations of the Big Six and how they should be on your mind a lot more frequently than gladiators and the Roman leader Augustus.
Have in your daily consciousness that God created you for a purpose. Life is not a random accident; you were entrusted with a unique mission that only you can fulfill, and there is great meaning and fulfillment in investing effort to actualize your potential.
God is ultimately the only power that exists, since He is Infinite and everything stems from Him. Therefore, don’t put your trust in other people or arrogantly think you don’t need God. You do your part and then rely on God.
Everything that happens in the universe is an expression of God’s orchestration. Nothing is an accident; everything is for a reason. Seek to understand the underlying meaning of your daily challenges because God is talking to you through them.
Life has consequences. Like a one-hour shopping spree at Louis Vuitton, stay focused and use every minute wisely. Make your limited time on earth really count; don’t fill up your shopping cart with just toiletries and magazines.
Having a dynamic relationship and connection with the Infinite Source of creation is your ultimate pleasure. Appreciate all the blessings He continuously gives you and through His Torah strive to attain the deepest understanding of His Divine wisdom.
Your free will gives you the power to rise above your instinctual desires and to live a dignified, meaningful life. Don’t live like an animal. Make the hard choices to live as a soul.
So stop obsessing over the Roman Empire (c’mon, is this really a thing?), and have instead these six fundamental ideas in your constant mindset.
For further reading:
Constant Connection: Deepening Your Faith in God through the Six Constant Mitzvot, by Rabbi Yitzchak Coopersmith
The Six Constant Mitzvot, by Rabbi Noah Weinberg
Rabbi, after the destruction of the second Temple, the Jews no longer had the Temple, sacrifices, or High Priests. Didn’t the Romans attempt to pacify the Jewish people from continuously attacking their government in Judea and Samaria? Didn’t the Jewish people accept some of the Roman clergy’s beliefs with idol and sun gods in their synagogues? Archeological evidence has been uncovered in synagogues over the centuries.
Click to see Synagogue floors and walls.
Could this be true?
Try
Click to see Synagogue floors and walls.
When I heard about this trend, I asked my husband, who is not religious, if he thinks about the Romans. “Never” he said. That’s partly because he is an engineer and a sci-fi guy. I’m interested in history and literature, so I may think of the Romans if something about them comes up. But mostly I think about Judaism and Israel, then about European and American history and culture. The British have had far more influence on the US than any other culture, and the Bible informed much thinking in early America.
Wouldn't thinking about the destruction of the roman empire fall under the mitzvos of תמחה את זכר עמלק מתחת השמים לא תשכח?
Great!
Part of the 3rd constant mitzvah of G-d's Oneness is that there is no other force that has any independent power. G-d is the sole source of all forces and anything that happens is subservient to His Will.
As it says in Adon Olam: He is One, and there is no other to compare to Him or join with Him (no trinity, no independent astrological powers, no independent forces of nature - everything is the sole expression of G-d's Will).