Love is in the air! You cannot help but notice all the hearts, roses and advertisements for jewelry and perfume! But just as my mother likes to say “everyday is my birthday,” as Jews, every day is an opportunity to show our love for each other and for Hakadosh Baruch Hu. The Hebrew word for Love is Ahava - coming from the root word of “Hav,” to give. When we want to demonstrate our affection and caring for another we give a gift. Hashem gave us the beautiful present of the Ten Commandments, the Aseret Hadibrot, which we in essence “re-gifted” to the world.
The Aseret Hadibrot serves as an outline by which we, as ethical, G-d fearing people, are to live our lives. I added in the G-d fearing, because our mandate to be ethical is a commandment from Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Although other societies may have moral guidelines, the concept that Jews are to be socially minded, to act justly, stems directly from G-d. Hakadosh Baruch Hu commanded us to do so. It is right there in the Torah, in this week’s parsha, in Yitro.
Unfortunately there are some people who masquerade as religious Jews, that act as if ethical behavior and shmerat hamitzvot are two distinct concepts. (I wonder about the proliferation of Daf Yomi or the need for Glatt Kosher in the State Penitentiary, but if I judge favorably I can take into account that perhaps or certainly they have done Teshuva). Keeping the Shabbat holy, don’t cheat or don’t envy are all direct commandments from G-d. Religious life is not relegated to the Bais Medrash or the shul, but real kiddush Hashem happens when you are out in the stores, schools, businesses.
The historian Thomas Cahill in his Gifts of the Jews (1999) wrote, “…the Jews were the first people to develop an integrated view of life and its obligations… The material and the spiritual, the intellectual and the moral were one…” Perhaps this is a gift that not only keeps on giving but we, the givers, still get to keep.
Alan Morinis the founder and dean of The Mussar Institute adds that the Aseret Hadibrot teaches us “that strong, ethical societies are formed around common moral obligations, rather than around needs or interests,”. Ethical societies are based on giving and doing for others rather than getting.
The Rambam posits that Ani Hashem Elokecha, the belief in G-d, is the first of the Ten Commandments, whereas the Ramban disagreed and maintained that “I am the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt” is not a command but a prelude to the commandments. Either way it does clearly define that the Aseret Hadibrot aren’t limited to the Thou Shalt Nots of idolatry or murder or adultery. Rather the Aseret Hadibrot teaches us that being religious is inseparable from being ethical. Mitzvot between Man and G-d, Man and Man, and even Man and himself, are all absolute, dictated by G-d.
Let’s take this opportunity to share our gift of love with our families, friends, neighbors and strangers! The more we give, the more gratitude we will feel for what we have. Thank You Hashem for all the goodness you have brought to me and our Sha’arei Bina Family.
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
Rochelle Brand, Ed.D
Head of School
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