Lifestyle: Faith, Family & the lights of Las Vegas?

Lifestyle is what this podcast mini series is all about, but first, welcome back to my followers — and if this is your first time, I’m Rabbi Dave of The Rabbi Who Got Rich On Sunday™. You’re listening to the second of a mini series of lifestyle episodes entitled “Faith, Family, and the Lights of Las Vegas” in my mini-series, Why Lifestyle Matters!

Today, I’ve got a story that might surprise you: I spent an entire month enjoying free trips — all thanks to my business success — with the first stop a visit to Las Vegas.

When I told some of my Jewish friends I was heading there, the reactions were priceless. One whispered, “Rabbi… is this even allowed?” Another asked if I was opening a kosher slot machine! I laughed and said, “Relax. I’m not going for gambling. My wife and I earned a free trip from our sales — and I want to use that experience to share about lifestyle, faith, and family… right in the middle of the lights of Las Vegas.”

And let me tell you — I found it.

Paris Hotel & Eiffel Tower

Our first stop was the Paris Hotel, and at night we went up to the “Eiffel Tower” built into and above the hotel. Standing at the top, looking down at the Strip with all those dazzling lights, I had this thought:

Humans are amazing. We can build towers, cities, entire skylines that glow so bright they make night look like day. But as impressive as that was, I couldn’t help but remember the verse: “G-d is my light and my salvation.”

Because here’s the thing: the neon lights can sparkle all they want, but the true light we need comes from above. And sometimes we have to climb a tower — literally or figuratively — to remind ourselves to look up.

The birds-eye view of the fountain show at the Bellagio hotel at night, from directly across the street was spectacular.

Also watching the amazing light show on the outside surface of the sphere was beautiful and a great way to excite us for our visit there the next day.

Vdara Hotel — An Oasis of Calm

The next day we checked into the Vdara Hotel for the rest of the trip. Now, if you’ve been to Vegas, you know: most hotels are filled with slot machines, cigarette smoke, and a general sense that you’ve entered an alternate universe.

But the Vdara? No casino. No smoking. Just peace. And that made me think: life is a lot like Vegas — there are distractions everywhere. Bright shiny objects and lights pulling you in a hundred directions. But you have to choose your environment. You have to build your own oasis where you can actually breathe, think, and connect.

That’s not just a hotel review. That’s a lifestyle principle.

The Sphere — Robots and “Postcard Earth”

Now, the highlight for me was The Sphere. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s this giant dome where they combine technology, art, and imagination. We even talked to AI-driven robots.

And I’ll be honest with you. When that robot turned to me and said, “Hello Rabbi, how can I help you today?” — I thought, “If it says ‘by donating to charity,’ I’m going to faint.”

I’m just kidding, but here is some video footage of the actual conversations we had:

But what really moved me wasn’t the robots — it was the show, Postcard Earth. Stunning visuals of nature: oceans, forests, mountains. Sitting there, surrounded by technology, I realized: with all our AI, all our gadgets, we’re still so small compared to the beauty G-d put into this world.

And here’s the business lesson: technology is incredible, but without values, it’s just noise. With values, it becomes a tool to elevate life.

Bellagio Hotel — Chinese New Year Exhibit

The Vdara is connected to several hotels and at the Bellagio, we walked through the Chinese New Year exhibit. Dragons, lanterns, colors everywhere. And I thought, you know what? Every culture has its way of celebrating light, renewal, and community.

They had lanterns. pandas, and dragons made out of roses. But whatever the symbols, the message is the same — we’re all searching for joy, for hope, for meaning. And when you can appreciate someone else’s celebration, without losing your own, it expands your soul.

Cirque du Soleil’s “O”

And then… we saw Cirque du Soleil’s “O.” Absolutely breathtaking. Acrobats flying, diving into water, flipping in ways I didn’t know the human body could move.

But here’s what struck me. None of those performers just woke up one day and said, “I think I’ll jump off this trapeze and hope it works out.” No. It’s discipline. Practice. Trust. Teamwork. All are a part of a lifestyle they chose.

And isn’t that the formula for everything?

• In Business: you prepare and practice.
• In Family: you build trust and work as a team.
• In Faith: you show up every day, even when it’s hard, even when nobody’s applauding.

10 Lifestyle Lessons from Vegas

So, what did I actually learn in Vegas? Here are 10 lifestyle lessons I brought home with me:

1. Not everything bright is valuable. Choose your light.
2. Create your oasis of calm — even in a noisy world.
3. Use technology, but don’t let technology use you.
4. Let beauty remind you to slow down.
5. Appreciate other cultures, but hold on to your own.
6. Discipline and preparation lead to excellence.
7. Rest is not a luxury; it’s essential.
8. Wonder fuels creativity. Make room for it.
9. Shared experiences build family bonds.
10. Faith is what gives meaning to everything else.

Lifestyle and Business

Now, you may be wondering — what does all this have to do with business? And the answer is: everything.

After our trip to Vegas, I noticed something. My mind was sharper. I had new ideas for my work. Even my conversations with clients felt lighter.

Here’s the truth: if you live better, you lead better. If you take time to recharge, your business thrives. Lifestyle is not separate from success. Lifestyle is the fuel that powers it.

The Fun Part: Tax Deductions

And here’s a little bonus for all my entrepreneur friends: sometimes, lifestyle trips can even be partially tax-deductible. If you’re mixing business with travel — networking, strategic conversations, or research — it’s worth checking.

Now, for us, Cirque du Soleil was a free “business reward,” but hey, I did learn about teamwork. Maybe next time I’ll bring the IRS with me.

Closing Inspiration

So that’s Las Vegas. A city of lights — but also a city of lessons.

At the end of the day, the real jackpot isn’t in the casino. It’s in your family. It’s in your faith. It’s in your lifestyle and the memories you create.

Because wealth isn’t just about money. It’s about meaning. And the kind of light that never burns out.

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Next week, we’re heading to the remote island of Kauai in Hawaii — where palm trees, beaches, and gratitude collide. Until then, keep shining your true light.

I hope you enjoyed this Lifestyle introduction episode in the podcast “The Rabbi Who Got Rich on Sunday.” This week’s challenge is to think of a place you would love to visit and how it can tie in with your business.  Share your idea with me and I will be glad to give you advice on how to make it happen!

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