Lessons From a Submersible

According to people who were interviewed, it seems that the CEO of the Titan was governed by his passion (to document Titanic’s decaying), rather than by logic. And instead of asking experts to double check and certify the submersible’s safety, he insisted on the risky dive, thus bringing himself and others to their deaths.

There is a lot to be learned from this tragic episode. The Baal Shem Tov said that from everything that we see and hear, we can learn lessons in how to better serve our Creator.

How often do people make emotional decisions, without thinking it through sufficiently, and without seeking expert advice when it’s called for? And unfortunately, unwise decisions can also harm others.

Every moment in life, we are faced with decisions and choices. Every moment we need to look at life carefully, and to decide what is the most prudent thing to do.

When we are faced with our constant choices, it’s good to heed advice from the ultimate expert, G-d, Who created our universe, with all its planets and oceans, and Who constantly conducts everything by Divine Providence. At Mount Sinai, He told Moses to tell all the nations to fulfill the seven Noahide laws. This will make the world peaceful. And He gave us the Torah — an instruction manual on how to navigate life. Indeed, in Deuteronomy (30; 19) G-d advises and encourages us: “I call upon heaven and earth this day to bear witness: Life and death I have placed before you, blessing and curse; choose life, so that you and your descendants may live.”