ISSUES OF FAITH: ‘Love thy neighbor’ a call to action – Peninsula Daily News
Posted By admin on May 8, 2021
The central tenet for Jewish behavior is the commandment to Love your neighbor as yourself found in the portion Kdoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27).
This portion is in the exact center of the Torah, reflecting its significance in Judaism.
Kdoshim means holy ones or sanctity, and contains what is called the Holiness Code which, along with the precept to love ones neighbor as oneself, gives us three important moral teachings: to leave some of the harvest for gleaning by the poor, to not withhold the wages of a laborer until the next day, and to not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in the way of the blind. All three of these teachings show the importance of taking care of the most vulnerable among us, the poor, the workers and those with disabilities. This is how we can be holy.
For many rabbis and scholars, this portion is the high point of Leviticus. After learning the rules about what we must not do, we finally reach a positive directive we can embrace. Adonai spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them, You shall be holy, for I, Adonai your God, am holy (Lev. 19:1-2).
This pronouncement was directed not only to the priests, but to the entire community of Israel, indicating we all have the capacity of holiness. This commandment is more difficult to follow than it seems because we are being told not just how to act, but how to be. And how we are to be is to be like God.
This is quite a daunting command. Unlike other religions where God is all powerful, omniscient and quite distant from humans, here we are to see God as approachable, with human qualities that we are to emulate.
The idea of being holy can have the expectation of withdrawing and removing oneself from society, but since God told Moses to speak to the whole Israelite nation, the holiness we seek is found within community, not separate from it.
Its easy to be holy and love everyone while staying separate, but it gets very messy when we live amongst others as Judaism demands.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves is great in principle. Until you have a neighbor that you find quite unlovable.
Following this commandment can mean giving up some of our desires and freedoms for the greater good.
American culture emphasizes freedom and individuality and often glorifies the loner.
However, this portion teaches that our strength is in community. When we are involved with others, though we have increased responsibilities, our relationships create a web that supports us. In a desire for radical freedom, we lose all the beauty and benefits from community.
A perfect example of this freedom and how it can impact everyone is seen in the refusal of some to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The reasons given range from my freedom to Im healthy, so I dont need it.
Unfortunately, those rationales dont take into account the consequences this decision can have on our loved ones and the entire community.
This is where loving ones neighbor as oneself should be foremost in peoples minds.
Rabbi Akiva, a famous First Century rabbi, called love your neighbor as the great rule of the entire Torah, and the qualifying criterion for all the other commandments. The Holiness Code taught the world how to treat others, both friend and foe, the wealthy and poor, the strong and vulnerable.
Rabbi Gunther Plaut called Kdoshim the climatic chapter of Leviticus and the one most often read and quoted, calling it a remarkable summons to become holy by imitating God. Holiness comes from being just, humane and sensitive to the treatment of others. Not only is holy behavior outlined in this portion, but we are taught that the motive behind our behavior should be that we be holy like God a truly revolutionary concept.
The command to love your neighbor as yourself in Kdoshim is the oldest written version of this commandment, and Judaism led the way for all the Abrahamic religions in making this the focal point of the faith.
May we endeavor to stop focusing on ourselves, and make this commandment be the guiding light in our lives.
Not only can we be holy like God, but as a consequence, our loved ones and community will flourish in safety and health.
Kein yehi ratzon may it be Gods will. Shalom.
_________
Issues of Faith is a rotating column by five religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Suzanne DeBey is a lay leader of the Port Angeles Jewish community. Her email is [emailprotected] olympus.net.
Read the original here:
ISSUES OF FAITH: 'Love thy neighbor' a call to action - Peninsula Daily News
- The power of pigs: tension and taboo in Haifa, Israel | OUPblog - OUPblog [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Toxic leadership in the Jewish world goes beyond sexual misconduct. A reckoning must come. - Forward [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- The Bible Says What? 'Every Jew who ever lived stood together at the same event' - Jewish News [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Lag BaOmer pilgrimage brings Orthodox Jews closer to eternity I experienced this spiritual bonding in years before the tragedy - The Conversation US [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- TikTok exec Michal Oshman: 'We all have the chance to do something meaningful' - The Times of Israel [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Leah McSweeney Defends Judaism Conversion After Criticism From Fans Who Accused Of Following A Trend - Reality Tea [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Intimacy and Judaism - jewishboston.com [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Leah McSweeney defends her decision to convert to Judaism - Page Six [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Judaism - ReligionFacts [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Judaism | Definition, Origin, History, Beliefs, & Facts ... [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2021]
- Integrating tough questions about the intersection of race, religion, and politics | Penn Today - Penn Today [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2021]
- Why are the rabbis silent against hate? Opinion - Ynetnews [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Nuclear Torah: Judea and Samaria are here - Haaretz [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- As Jews, we believe in repairing the world and we believe in the Fair Chance in Housing Act | Opinion - NJ.com [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- 'Blaming the victim' in Israel conflict - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- We must stand united in the fight against anti-Semitism - Jewish Community Voice [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- US Jewry is shifting profoundly and Chabad is on rise - Pew research - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Conversion students are asking me if its safe to become Jewish. This is what I tell them. - Forward [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- ADAT YESHUA: PREACHING LOVE IN THE FACE OF HATE - Norwich Radical [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Letters to the Editor June 6, 2021 - New York Post [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Jewish adoption is a possibility for my family because of YATOM - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Unchain your wife: the Orthodox women shining a light on get refusal - The Guardian [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Zionism and Judaism: Are they interdependent? - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Judaism: Basic Beliefs | URI [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2021]
- Remembering the Lubavitcher rebbe: Supernova with living legacy - opinion - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- Most Jews wont set foot in a synagogue. Thats why rabbis need to think like entrepreneurs. - Forward [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- Abu Dhabi reveals names of mosque, church, and synagogue in its Abrahamic Family House - HarpersBazaarArabia [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- Creating an interfaith wedding inspired by Jewish tradition J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- Comments on: Here's To Our Fathers - Jewish Journal [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- Comic book-loving Ivy League grad runs 93 miles a week and is long shot Olympic hopeful - Forward [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- EU ruling on kosher slaughter tells rabbis how to go about their business - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- Montrealers converting to Reform Judaism learn you can't be Jewish alone - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- BBC - Religions - Judaism: Sukkot [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2021]
- As Jews, we must respond to the surge of the Delta variant - Jewish Herald-Voice [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- Universities Must Shift Their Conception of Jewish Students as a Group - Jewish Journal [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- JUF News | Opening doors, minds, and hearts - Jewish United Fund [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- Losing My Religion - The Cut [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- The state of United States Jews - opinion - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- Desus and Mero get a bar mitzvah with the help of Eric Andre and a rabbi - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- Paris's Museum of Art and History of Judaism, mahJ, is back with a new exhibit on "The School of Paris" - Frenchly [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- I will convert Artem Dolgopyat and officiate his wedding - opinion - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- Chabad Ministers to Jews of No Religion - The Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2021]
- Pope Francis urged to clarify comments on Torah and Jewish law - Jewish News [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Letters to the Editor August 30, 2021: Biden's big boondoggle - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- YOM KIPPUR: Why we keep asking for forgiveness, year after year J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Jack Hirschman, SF poet laureate and 'bad Jew,' dies at 87 J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Work begins to partially renovate hazardous bridge to Temple Mount - The Times of Israel [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Facebook has a new prayer feature. But is it made for Jews? J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- People of faith can follow Scripture by protecting ourselves, others from COVID | Opinion - Tallahassee Democrat [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Beth Jacob uses fun to train teens to learn the Torah.Local news - Ohionewstime.com [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Shmita the seventh year - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- ADVICE: I lost my conversion certificate. Now what? J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- As a kid he loved his synagogue. This High Holidays, he's leading it. J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Jewish group seeks to stop Arizona's new abortion restrictions - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Religions of the World will be Theme for Fall Term of the Masters Series at Pasadena Senior Center - Pasadena Now [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Living in the Bush - Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters - Lubavitch.com [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Remembering a visit with the late Ed Asner, star of Mary Tyler Moore and Lou Grant - Forward [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Palestinians accused of erasing history, awakened history hits the Middle East - Texasnewstoday.com [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- CNN's 'Fast Facts' Minimizes Judaism's Connection to Land of Israel - Honestreporting.com [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- The God Squad: Still more questions from the theology class at Mercy High School in Middletown - New Haven Register [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Pope Francis challenged by Israel's chief Rabbis over his comments on the Torah - America Magazine [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2021]
- Tennessee's GOP leaders need to be reminded of what Jesus stood for | Opinion - Commercial Appeal [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- Finding Hope When We Can't See Much of It - Jewish Journal [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- God Squad: Yes, still more theology questions from the theology class at Mercy High School in Middletown, Conn. - The News Star [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- When Harvard hired an atheist to be the chief university chaplain - The Christian Post [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- Need advice for the High Holidays? Ask the Robo-Rabbi. J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- A Word of Torah: The Pursuit of Joy Detroit Jewish News - The Jewish News [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- The Shul of Bellaire welcomes new Torah with big celebration - Jewish Herald-Voice [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- How American Jewish University is Confronting the Jewish Future with Innovation and Optimism - Jewish Journal [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- This Year, Remember the Importance of the Shofar | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com - Algemeiner [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- More than 1,000 Rabbis for Repro work for abortion rights. Their fight just got tougher. - Forward [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- New Class Answers What it Means to be a 'Member of the Tribe' Detroit Jewish News - The Jewish News [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2021]
- Celebrating Rosh Hashanah The Campus - The Campus [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- COVID-19 vaccine religious exemptions: Where do different religions stand on COVID-19 vaccinations? - WSYR [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- I served in Afghanistan as an Army chaplain. Jewish wisdom can help us process what comes after withdrawal. J. - The Jewish News of Northern... [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- Friedrich Nietzsche: the most controversial philosopher ever - Big Think [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- Zuckerberg and Chan give $1.3m to Jewish orgs, mostly in Bay Area J. - The Jewish News of Northern California [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- Bob Marley and the Jewish Bible - Israel Today [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- How Are the Abrahamic Religions Similar and Different? - The Culture Chronicle [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
- God Squad: The altar of burnt offerings Part I - The News Star [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2021]
Comments