On Rosh Hashanah, I proposed we embrace our Judaism by committing to seven specific acts in the year ahead. I’ll use this space to remind you of them in these intermediary days.
ADOPT ONE MIZTVAH
Mitzvot are commandments, for centuries the backbone of Jewish culture. We, as post-modern Reform Jews, struggle with the idea of being commanded. Who is commanding us? What happens if I decline? What if I don’t want to? Still, we can choose to obey.
There is a custom that, even as traditional Jews strive to obey all applicable commandments, they pick one that’s especially meaningful to them, that they pledge to follow consistently, fully and joyfully — a core spiritual practice. They never let an opportunity to fulfill it pass them by. It becomes a personal calling card of sorts, a reminder of who they are.
For my teacher Rabbi Paul Kipnes, “a spiritual practice refers to regular, purposeful actions we do in order to transform our lives from everyday regularity and habit into sacred, meaningful moments. Whether chosen from the 613 mitzvot (Jewish obligations) of Torah or from other customs passed down, spiritual practices can uplift and inspire. Jewish mitzvot direct us to live lives infused with meaning and value.”
- Here are some examples of mitzvot as a spiritual discipline:
- Paying workers on time (including domestic workers).
- Tipping generously.
- Honoring parents diligently, consistently, lovingly.
- Giving tzedakah.
- Visiting, cooking, running errands, and lending a hand to people who are sick or recovering from surgery.
- Consoling the bereaved in a sustained way.
- Avoid eating treif.
- Not working on Shabbat.
- Resting on Shabbat.
- Use beautiful Jewish ritual objects.
- Never lie. Be scrupulous in telling the truth.
- Lend money to those in need. Do not press for payment if they don’t have it.
- Caring for the land.
- Not wasting
- Removing hindrances from others’ paths
- Open doors, carry packages
- Help a single parent
- Help someone struggling to go to college
- Building a beautiful sukkah and reside, share, and dine in it.
- Keeping your word. Upholding promises.
- Reciting Shema twice daily.
- Studying Torah
- On your own
- In Shabbat and Sunday Morning Torah Study Groups