We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity. So it may be asked what value is there to a human life. There is so much pain in the world. What does it mean to have to suffer so much if our lives are nothing more than the blink of an eye? . . .I learned a long time ago, Reuven, that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something.
The passage highlights the fleeting nature of human life when compared to the vastness of eternity, suggesting that our existence may seem insignificant. It questions the value of life in the face of suffering and pain that is often experienced. This reflection leads to a deeper inquiry about the meaning of our experiences and the essence of being alive.
The narrator, through the character Reuven, conveys an important lesson: while a moment, or a blink, may seem trivial, it is the existence of the individual experiencing that moment that holds true value. This perspective encourages appreciation for life and the experiences that define it, emphasizing that even short lives can have profound significance through the conscious awareness of the moments we occupy.
