The Secret to a Good Life?
The Global Flourishing Study, a five-year project surveying over 200,000 people across 22 countries, seeks to understand the underlying factors that enable people to flourish—not just to survive, or even to be happy, but to thrive in a deep, meaningful, and multidimensional way. Led by over 40 researchers across disciplines and backed by Gallup, the study measures well-being across six dimensions: happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability.
One of the study's most striking findings is that wealth does not necessarily lead to greater well-being. Countries like the United States and Sweden—though highly affluent—ranked lower in overall flourishing, largely due to diminished levels of meaning and social connection. In contrast, Israel ranked second overall, despite the significant challenges it faces, highlighting the strength of its communal bonds and shared purpose. The study also found that countries with higher birth rates often reported a stronger sense of meaning, suggesting that deep human connection—not material success—is a key driver of true fulfillment.
As the researchers note, “Flourishing isn't just about what's in your bank account—it's about what surrounds you: your relationships, your values, and your sense of purpose.”
Religion emerged as a powerful contributor to well-being. Across nearly every country studied—including highly secular ones—those who regularly attended religious services reported greater happiness, stronger relationships, and deeper meaning in life. The researchers credit this to the “four B's” that faith communities offer: belonging, bonding, behaving, and believing.
The Power of Relationships—in Business and Life
The same principle applies in the business world. A recent Forbes study found that employee and client satisfaction is profoundly influenced by whether a company takes a transactional or relational approach.
Companies focused on quick, transactional outcomes—pushing short-term sales and performance metrics—often saw high burnout rates and weak customer loyalty. In contrast, those that prioritized long-term relationships and positive impact with both clients and employees created more committed teams, better performance, and greater job satisfaction.
This mirrors a broader truth: relationships built on trust, meaning, and shared purpose lead to greater success and fulfillment, not only in business, but in all areas of life—including marriage, parenting, and our connection to Judaism and G-d.
While a transactional mindset (e.g., rewarding children for good behavior) may sometimes be effective in the short term, our ultimate goal is to foster a deeper sense of purpose—doing the right thing not for a reward, but because it aligns with our values and our divine mission.
Why the Torah Promises Material Rewards
This week's Torah portion, Behar-Bechukotai, outlines blessings for those who follow G-d's commandments: rain in its season, fruitful harvests, and peace in the land. Strikingly, these promised rewards are almost entirely material, not spiritual.
Why does the Torah emphasize physical blessings for spiritual observance?
Our sages explain: the Torah is not presenting a transaction or a bribe. Rather, it's describing the natural consequence of aligning our lives with divine purpose. When we live in harmony with our spiritual identity—through Torah study, mitzvot, and community engagement—our lives are enriched across the board: our marriages strengthen, our relationships with our children deepen, and even our professional lives gain balance and meaning.
As the Ethics of the Fathers teaches: “The reward for a mitzvah is the mitzvah itself.” The deepest reward is not external—it's the connection we form with G-d and the transformation we bring to ourselves, our peers, and the world at large.
A friend once shared that while in college, he struggled to observe Shabbat amidst academic and financial pressures. When he told his mentor he didn't have time, his mentor replied: “You don't have time not to keep Shabbat.” That shift in mindset helped him reframe Shabbat not as a burden, but as a gift—an anchor of balance, joy, and growth.
A World on the Path to Redemption
This isn't just personal—it's global. Judaism teaches that our collective spiritual actions pave the way for Moshiach, the ultimate era of peace, prosperity, and purpose.
Moshiach is not just a reward or spiritual fantasy—it's the natural culmination of humanity living up to its divine potential. In this era, ego, competition, and suffering will dissolve. The world will be filled with knowledge, unity, and compassion.
As Maimonides writes:
“At that time there will be no famine or war, envy or competition, for good will be abundant… and the world will be filled with knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the sea.”
This vision begins with us. When we build lives rooted in meaning, community, and G-dly values, we don't just flourish—we help the world flourish, too.
