As AI is introduced more into our lives, some express a fear of being replaced by AI. It seems logical to worry. After all, many of the roles that are filled by people will be assumed by AI as time goes on. So, what does Judaism have to say about this concern?
Judaism’s response to this issue is unequivocal. You will never be replaced by AI! Perhaps your job, your 9-5, your current means of livelihood, will be replaced by AI. But you will never be replaced by AI. Because you are not defined by what you do. Too often, when asked to define ourselves, we will answer with our jobs or professional training. I am a doctor. I am a lawyer. I am an IT technician. I am a teacher. But that cannot be who you are. Your identity began the moment you were born (conceived). While I am sure you were born a genius, you were not born with an advanced medical degree with a job lined up at a prestigious teaching hospital. So, who are you?
By the very fact that you were born, by your very existence, you are an individual with whom Hashem wants a relationship. You are a person who was born with a meaningful purpose. That purpose is to be the other half of the relationship that Hashem desires. Each of us has this purpose. If we didn’t, we would not exist.
Now, while some humans are willing to fool ourselves into believing that we can achieve the emotional fulfillment of a relationship with a “bot,” Hashem suffers from no such folly. He has made it clear to us that what he wants is connectivity with a human. That’s why he created us collectively, and that’s why each of us exists individually. So, I repeat, you will never be replaced by AI!
But how do we find that meaningful purpose? I am glad you asked. This will be the subject of the upcoming JLI Fall 2025 course entitled, The Kabbalah of Meaning, that begins after the holidays. Over the duration of this course, we will explore what we need to pursue to discover the inherent meaningful purpose with/for which we were created.
In Louisiana everyone likes a little bit of lagniappe. This course offers CE credits for doctors and mental health professionals. To learn more about the course, which will run on six Wednesdays starting October 29, www.chabadneworleans.com/jli.
For the Metairie course, which will run on Tuesdays, www.jewishlouisiana.com/jli.
This past Monday night, our community was privileged to host freed hostage Omer Shemtov for a special event. You can see photos below, or at www.chabadneworleans.com/6766079. Omer is a beautiful soul, who shared his story of captivity and freedom. He spoke of his faith and how he retained his humanity and Jewish identity throughout his ordeal. His story touched every single member of the audience of over 450 strong. The event was a collaborative effort between Chabad of Louisiana and Chabad of Metairie along with our partners at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the New Orleans JCC.
I hesitate to write these next few lines, but my heart weighs heavy from this part of the experience. While this soulful gathering was taking place inside, a small group of (mostly masked) protestors gathered outside, doing their utmost to project fear, ugliness, and discord upon those in attendance. The notion that they would protest a hostage who endured 505 days of unspeakable inhumane torture by a group of terrorists, speaks volumes about their moral compass and human awareness. I will not be silenced or mince words about this despicable gathering. I care little for these folks or their opinions, though I wish they would see the light and come back to normalcy. What broke my heart was seeing one of our own, a fellow Jew, one of my brothers, standing in their midst. I pray to Hashem that He lead this misguided lamb back to his people, rather than standing in support of those who raped, murdered, and kidnapped his own brothers and sisters. May this be the year of return for all our Jewish brothers and sisters who have wandered off. Come home to Am Yisrael. We are waiting for you with open arms.
Wishing each of you a Shana Tova, a year of good health, prosperity, happiness, and meaningful spiritual growth.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin