Learning and discussing the laws and ethics
Unlike the case in most societies, learning and
discussing the law are not just obvious background activities in
Judaism. These are very much emphasized and they are laws themselves.
What are we to make of this?
The Five Books of Moses, which I take to be the
heart of Judaism, command us very clearly to make not just obedience of
the laws but also their acquisition and propagation central to our
daily lives. The intellectual study and discussion of the laws along
with an emotional appreciation (i.e. love) of their beneficial
intentions is to be part of our daily activities and outlook. The laws
are supposed to be in our consciousness from morning until night and to
be part of our speech. We are to have physical reminders with us at
all times along with reminders on our dwellings that we are the people
of the laws. Finally we are required to teach the laws to our children.
Let me elaborate on these components.
- Intellectual understanding of the law
To be able to do the law, one must know the
law. That means it needs to be studied first as it appears in the Five
Books of Moses and then in greater detail, with a view to its
application in the present. Studying can be done to some extent
individually but it is also highly desirable to study in a group and
with the help of qualified teachers; Judaism is, after all, not
designed for isolated individuals but rather for interaction. The
intellectual activities such as the widespread study of the law and the
discussion of ethics have over the centuries distinguished Jewish
society from all others. This type of study is responsible for our
people’s valuing all forms of study; and it has always inspired us to
take full advantage of any secular education that was
available.
- Love of the law
What does it mean to love the law? This means a love of its
wonderful logic, sensitivity, and intentions. For me, the no-
nonsense handling of many issues, the amazing sensitivity to
humans, animals, the land, and nature in general, and the
intention to create good lives for individuals, families,
communities, and for the Jewish people (and ultimately for
all of humanity) make me sincerely appreciate receiving these
principles, make me defend them and be proud of them, make me
celebrate them on various occasions, make me encourage Jews to
give them a chance, and make me want to tell the whole world about
them.
- To speak of the law, from morning until night
What the Five Books of Moses are trying to
say here is that we need to examine the ethical aspects of
our and others’ activities in the form of speech, i.e..not just by
quiet meditation on our own but by actual discussions with those around
us. To engage in serious talk, on topics of importance, (i.e. what is
the right thing to do in a large variety of situations), is very much
encouraged on a daily basis. The topics can present themselves to us
early in the day, in fact soon after waking, or anytime before we lie
down at night. The topics can also be broader than just family or
workplace issues; they can relate to community or national affairs.
- Physical reminders
We are commanded to have reminders on our
person and on our dwellings. Nowadays many Jews say that these are
silly and no longer necessary, that the laws or our identity are
private matters of the heart and should not be conspicuous at all.
That’s not Judaism. We are not ashamed of the fact that we’ve
been entrusted with the greatest treasure, the guidelines for
humanity’s achieving social and natural harmony, as laid out in the
Five Books. Therefore we are not ashamed of wearing a small reminder
meant primarily for ourselves. If we truly don’t mind being being
called to our ethical responsibilities, if we enjoy thinking and
speaking of the law, and if we really love it’s intentions, then why
not carry modest physical reminders? They are obviously a form of
communication ……with ourselves.
The bible suggests that reminders be placed
on the head and on the arms. Some small things, tasteful but
attractive, would be a good start. A piece of jewelry for the head or
neck and a band of some sort for the wrist or arm.
The bible also recommends some visual
modification of dress. I would be happy if Jews had a reminder on
their clothing that would be fairly inconspicuous and had meaning only
for the wearer. Of course, in Israel, these reminders could
probably be more obvious.
Finally, we are to put a reminder on our
doorpost. Again, a Jewish household should have some slight visible
reminder, for itself, that they should carry their principles wherever
their day takes them and then to exercise those principles within their
homes also. This would have a particularly valuable effect on friends,
acquaintances, others coming to the house, and on the children that we
are trying to inspire with a reverence for the law.
-
Teach your children well
We are commanded to teach the law to our children. This is a
parent’s next most urgent responsibility after the
child’s physical welfare. It’s importance
cannot be overemphasized. This is the way to ensure the ethical
development of a future community member. Jewish education outside the
home has never been and will never be a substitute for the training
that a child should be receiving at home and wherever he/she is in
the company of the parents.
How do we do this? First and most important is the parents’ pointing
out to the child and discussing with him the ethical implications of
his various activities. A child, as he gets older, must be directed
also to the sources of our ideas so that he will know where to go for
additional guidance. Securing good teachers of the law is the last
piece of the puzzle. What puzzle is that? It is the timeless challenge
of raising children who will know, love, and follow the law and thereby
come to live satisfying and constructive lives.
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