Jon Steinberg on L’chatchila Ariber – “Taking a Creative and Bold Approach”

Jon Steinberg, one of Mark’s favorite cigar smoking companions, is the very special guest on this week’s episode. Currently the president of Altice News and Advertising, Jon is also the founder of Cheddar, the leading Post Cable Networks company. Previously, he had been the Chief Executive Officer of DailyMail.com North America, and the President and Chief Operating Officer at BuzzFeed, and is widely considered one of the world’s great media entrepreneurs. Jon has chosen a rabbinical commentary by Rebbe Maharash, L’chatchila Ariber, to discuss with Mark today.

He begins the conversation by sharing the selected text, its importance for him and how he was introduced to it initially. He and Mark then embark on an extensive analysis of the differing possible readings of this text, some examples of it from both the Bible and in Jon’s work, as well as the importance of learning through failure, walking in God’s ways, and being unique in business. Jon also shares his thoughts on the message this text provides in the time of COVID, and he concludes the discussion with the lessons he has learned about humankind. Fittingly, Mark and Jon dedicate this episode to Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of Palm Beach Synagogue, the man who first introduced Jon to this instructive text, and whose wisdom and understanding continues to inspire them, as is clearly demonstrated here today.

Episode Highlights: · Jon’s summary of the commentary and its importance for him · How he found it · Some differing readings of it · Some practical examples of this commentary · Learning through failure · Walking in God’s ways · This text’s message in the context of COVID · Biblical examples of leaping over obstacles · Jon’s use of Torah wisdom in his businesses · Being unique in business · The lessons that Jon has learned about humankind  Quotes: “There are many different readings you could have into this.” “Be bold, have conviction, have energy.” “Don’t go low in the first place. Go high in the first place.” “Just do it.” “Take the creative, bold approach in the first place.” “The conventional wisdom is usually right, and seldom profitable.” “If you’re not doing something which is long odds, there really is no chance of you building anything that’s significant or different or unique.” “Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.” “Anxiety and worry is really wasted energy.” “I’m a huge worrier.” “Judaism tells us to keep moving along, to keep moving forward…you can’t do good deeds if you’re not in motion.” “Jumping over is a way more aggressive and bold forward momentum than crawling like a baby under.” “You only learn by going.” “Walk, leap, and go.” “Just copying doesn’t work.” “My playbook is totally unique stuff.” “No person leads an unencumbered life.” L’chatchila Ariber The world says that if you cannot crawl under an obstacle, try to leap over it. However, I say, leap over it in the first place! https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2718066/jewish/What-Does-Lchatchila-Ariber-Mean.htm  Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: mailto:daniel@therabbishusband.com

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