Academia, Ecclesiastes and responding to Tragedy.

I attended a seminar last week where the main topic of discussion was whether to make PHDs more relevant to the business/corporate world. Funny, I thought; the word 'relevant' 'corporate' and 'Academia' are never used in the same sentence. Why on earth would we want the precious world of pure knowledge to be tarnished by such philistine aspirations? The world is changing, we were told, and perhaps the PHD thesis should adapt accordingly? Pathetic, I thought. The 20/20 generation has even infiltrated my ivory tower, I despaired.

Then, on Shabbos, I had the pleasure of reading my favourite Megillah Kohelet or Ecclesiastes. Most vorts focus on the last few lines of the whole thing and the fact that despite its melancholy tone it really encourages a happiness which is focused on meaning rather than indulgence. Ok, fair enough. But you can't just skip to the end where Harry kills Voldemort, there are many many pages in between. It is not only the futility of wealth that King Solomon decries, it is also, at times, wisdom. The wise person and the ignorant have the same ultimate fate. 'For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!'  (Ecclesiastes 2:16).

Then, tragically, this week has seen terrible terrorist attacks in Israel and once again the Jewish world is gripped with uncertainty, fear and worry. My petty theoretical concerns again faded before the cry of those in pain. 

Yes, this all sounds rather morbid but it once again shows the discrepancy between thought and action in this world. Theory is never enough, ideas alone can never suffice to justify our existence in this world, and evil and misery can never be adequately explained philosophically. Perhaps this explains why Jewish mystics were unwilling to keep the Kabbalah theoretical.

If I were to link the three areas that have dominated my week I would structure them as follows. In Academia, like in any discipline, the powers that be are not satisfied with the apparent lack of direction or purpose. The expansion of knowledge is wonderful but if no-one benefits what on earth is the point of it all?  Reading Kohelet I am always left with the feeling that the way to answer the questions of purposelessness and evil is not to address them intellectually but rather through action: to do good, spread kindness and justice and accept the limitations of the human mind.

This was then compounded by the tragic newsreels that have dominated our screens this week. Life is short, precious and must be used to better the lot humanity in whatever way best suited to us. This need lingers in all areas of life, even in the writing of a Thesis. 

I am grateful that one of the outcomes of my summer's leadership trip was a commitment to a giving circle where each month we choose a charity to donate to together. This month we chose Onefamily as a means of raising money for the Henkin family who tragically lost their parents last week. I have attached the link for those interested.

http://onefamilyuk.org/donate/