PARTNERS WITH GODThe concept of tikkun olam, repairing the world, puts humans in partnership with God. Our actions reflect the sacredness of our task - reaching out and helping others, in good times and bad.
1. What is the meaning of the verse, "Follow none but Adonai your God?" (Deuteronomy 13:15) Is it possible for a human being actually to follow the ways of God? What it means is that we should imitate the qualities of God. As God clothed the naked, As it is written, "And Adonai God made for Adam and his wife Garments of skin, and God clothed them." SO you should clothe the naked. As God visited the sick, As it is written, "Adonai appeared to Abraham by the terebinths of Mamre" [after Abraham's circumcising]. So you should visit the sick. As God comforted the mourners, As it is written, "After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac," So you should comfort mourners. As God buried the dead, As it is written, "God buried Moses in the valley," So you should bury the dead. Talmud Bavli Sotah 14a 2. Whatever was created in the first six days require further preparation: Mustard needs sweetening The bean plant needs sweetening Wheat needs grinding and humans, too, are in need of repair. Genesis Rabbah 11:6 3. Wherever you go, God will go with you. Deuteronomy Rabbah 2:10 4. God is praised in heaven when they (the Jews) are one band (group) on earth. Leviticus Rabbah 30:12 5. Only when Jews are united on earth is there a firm foundation for God's chambers on high. Sifra 346 6. In my distress I called upon my God; to my God I cried for help. Psalms 18:7 7. Cause us, Adonai our God to lie down in peace, raise us up, our Ruler, to life. Spread over us your sukkah of peace. Direct us with your good advice. Save us for your Name's sake. Be a shield around us. Remove from us every enemy, disease, sword, famine, and sorrow. Remove also the adversary from before us and from behind us. Shelter us beneath the shadow of your wings. For you, God, are a gracious and merciful Ruler. Guard our going and our coming to life and to peace from this time and forevermore. Blessed are you , Adonai, who guards Your people Israel forever. Hashkiveinu prayer, evening service 8. If you remove from your midst those things that enslave others, The denigration of others, The saying of evil things about others, And share what you have with those who have not, And respond to the needs of those who call out to you, Then shall your light be a beacon in the darkness, And your darkness will be washed in the full day's light. And God will walk beside you as a guide, And shall richly fill and nourish your life; And God will renew your strength, And you will be like a garden wealthy with water, A spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:9-11 |
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Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
http://www.jecc.org
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
http://www.jecc.org