One Friday evening not too long ago a couple brought their small 16- month-old daughter with them to our home for Shabbos.

As all of our grandchildren live in Eretz Yisrael any time a small child joins us for a Shabbos meal it’s a treat for my wife and me.

I watched as the girl attempted to remain awake despite her obvious weariness. I asked the parents if they’d like to put her on the couch and they jointly responded “Oh no way! Our daughter has a bad case of FOMO!”

I was immediately terrified by this horrific diagnosis of FOMO a condition I’d never heard of and gently and compassionately wished the parents that their daughter should have a refuah shleimah.

The parents laughed at my comments and proudly announced that they hoped that she would always be blessed with FOMO.

I was shocked by their enthusiastic hope for the continuance of the girl’s condition.

“Yes indeed we hope that our little maideleh retains her FOMO her entire life” they declared.

I couldn’t contain my revulsion at their behavior and I demanded “What exactly is FOMO anyway and why do you want your daughter to have it her entire life?”

The couple looked at me incredulously and responded “Rabbi you really don’t know what FOMO is?”

At that point I was tempted to answer “Of course I know what it is; however I get a certain enjoyment from people telling me things I already know!” I held my tongue however and respectfully and honestly replied instead “No I don’t.”

The couple looked with me pity as they answered: “FOMO stands for: “Fear Of Missing Out!

Our daughter never wants to miss out on any of the action and we hope she retains this desire to know everything her entire life.”

I looked at them and wondered Is there really a need to know everything? Is there an advantage to always being part of the “noise” of This World?

In truth we are all that little girl. We never really grow out of our childlike belief that we must be a part of everything and if we aren’t then we are missing out.

When I was younger I had an acute case of FOMO.

I was jealous of those people who were part of the “in” circle; those individuals who always knew the inside scoop. I thought that knowing all about all was the key to power and prestige and wondered if I’d ever be able to count myself among this elite.

Then I became a rabbi.

People began to tell me their problems and their challenges.

I became privy to information no else knew or could have possibly imagined.

I wasn’t just a part of the in crowd — I was the CEO!

Guess what?

Once there I was immediately cured of my FOMO.

I no longer care if I know things; in fact more often than not I wish I knew less than more.

However when my FOMO left me a new and just as challenging condition arose. I now had FOKA.

What is FOKA?

Fear Of Knowing All!

I no longer have any fear of missing out; quite the opposite.

My only fear now is knowing too much.

I realize now how ignorance really is bliss.

How blessed was life when I lived in the world of ignorance and naiveté. And how complex and sometimes painful life is when you never get to miss out on anything.