Retire From Jobs, Not From Life

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.


There is a segment of the population that now finds itself in a different situation. Namely retirement.

The generation of retirement age, for the most part, is settled. Many have done their share over the years: raised a family, supported charitable endeavors, involvement in community activities. And now there are the twilight years.

It is not that simple. As an example: We must remain part of our community because when the need arises for civic pride and neighborly support, we will turn to each other for the comfort that comes with such participation.

Retirement from life is not part of the equation of settling in. Birth, we know, is a beginning and death a destination; but life, well that is a journey, a continuous journey with each stage in our development.

We travel this journey from the beginning, through our childhood and hopefully to maturity. Part of that journey includes an awareness and discretion and hopefully wisdom. And just as there are speed bumps on the highways of our travels so too life has its twists and turns that can bring weakness and despair. But these bumps, these detours should remind us to slow down and sense all that is around us.

There is victory along the way because we take the time to realize that this journey of life is also a sacred pilgrimage. There is defeat but there is also the start of a new day with all its wonders and mysteries. And we should approach these experiences with renewed strength.

We represent a generation that was in the forefront of human decency. We took our responsibilities seriously by nurturing those institutions representing the dignity of the human spirit. Sometimes, though, we forget.

We forget, as well, that there is this great country called America. Some say that it doesn’t need as much from us as it once did. The truth of the matter is

America needs our involvement more than ever. We need this connection as we did in the past.

We are a faith-based people. And because we are we have an added responsibility to ensure that the generations that follow understand that the very fabric of our existence is woven into our relationship with the Divine.

We forget how fragile our society is. We need to repair this tear in the world because we need the world and the world needs us.

Recent events should help us understand that the past brought us to today. Being settled in gives us added responsibilities. They include continuing to do and encouraging everyone else to do as well. We may be tired but we cannot rest.

When we feel threatened we are calmed with the knowledge that our community will respond. When we pray, we connect to God. When we do good things, we connect to one another. We cannot retire from life.

A story is told of a time and place where people could not bend their arms. Because of this they could not lift food to their mouths. Slowly, but surely, people died from the lack of nourishment. Then one person discovered that if he reached for the food with his outstretched arm he could carry the food and feed another person until one by one all realized that carrying the food and feeding each other was the formula for survival.

This is the message of respect for the sanctity of life and our sacred obligation to lend a helping hand to everyone in need. Retirement does not relieve us of this obligation. We cannot retire from life.