A new episode of the weekly lesson series by the Chief Rabbi of Dnipro, Shmuel Kaminezki, dedicated to the first chapter of the Torah – Bereishis – has been released on the “Menorah” YouTube channel. This time, the conversation touches on a question that goes far beyond a single weekly portion: what is the meaning of human life, and what will remain after us when the earthly journey concludes?
Rav Shmuel Kaminezki addresses the mitzvah of “be fruitful and multiply” and explains why, in the Torah, the continuation of life and the transmission of legacy hold such great significance. The lesson features the story of Alfred Nobel, who once saw his own obituary and decided to change what would remain after him. Through this example, the Rav leads into a discussion about true immortality – not physical, but connected to what a person passes on to others.
But what should those who have no children of their own do? Here the conversation turns to the concept of spiritual legacy. As an example, the Lubavitcher Rebbe is cited, as well as the Baal Shem Tov’s story about a childless married couple. By educating a person spiritually and helping them draw closer to Torah and Jewish values, one can attain a special bond similar to that of parents and children.
Separately, the lesson addresses the modern childfree movement and the question of consciously refraining from having children. Rav Shmuel examines this topic from the perspective of the Torah and explains why the problem here is connected not only to a person’s personal choice but also to the future of all humanity.
The new episode is about the continuation of life, spiritual legacy, and a person’s responsibility for what they leave behind. And about the fact that sometimes our true “children” are the people whom we helped become better and closer to their purpose.
