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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Candlelight by the Maccabeats

Ethics.

“People tell you what is good, but what does the Eternal One require of you? Only to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
(Micah)

Two weeks ago when we met for our monthly discussion group with the Rabbi, our topic was ethics. In Judaism, there has never been a separation between what is ethically right and good and what is required of us by God. Jews are expected to be good people by the concept of mitzvah (largely taken as "good deed" these days, but it actually means commandment), which encompasses what can be seen as ethically good, as well as the ritual observances. “We affirm the Jewish conception of Mitzvah ("Commandment"): that as Jews we are obligated to lead a life of exemplary ethical quality, to work for the betterment of human society, and to practise a devotional discipline of study, prayer and observance.”

The above comes from the Affirmations of Liberal Judaism, which I found rather interesting, but of course unsurprising. In summary:

“We affirm our commitment to Judaism's ethical values, which include reverence for life, respect for persons and property, love of neighbour, practical kindness (g'milut chasadim) and charity (tz'dakah), social justice and peace, the conservation of nature, and the humane treatment of animals.”

Reverence for life: all human life is sacred. No person has the right to end another person's life, only God can do so. But alas, not if you're in big trouble. If a person’s life is in danger, we are commanded to do our best to save them, and “not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour” (Leviticus 19:16). One may kill another person if it is the only way to save oneself, or a third party.
But. One must accept a martyr’s death rather than actively kill another person (Talmud: “Who says your blood is redder than his?”), but one is not obligated to put oneself in mortal danger to save another person (“Who says his blood is redder than yours?”).

Confusing, right? You know what? Just don't kill anybody. Not intentionally, anyway.

This is the point where I clarified abortion with the Rabbi. One of the interesting things about Judaism is that even the most Orthodox of Rabbis will okay an abortion if the mother's life is in danger. Until the head of the baby, ahem, emerges, the baby is considered part of the mother, and the mother is the most important life. Once that baby's head is out? save both! stat! but I guess the priority may shift slightly to the new baby, if in distress.

Love of neighbour: Well. I know everyone thinks this came from Jesus. Sorry, y'all. It's from Leviticus (but I suppose Jesus was a Jew, after all). “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself; I am the Eternal One” (Lev. 19:18).

In Judaism, Love of neighbour does not imply that one must feel love for everyone, but that one should act lovingly and caringly towards them. Hillel famously turned it around and said: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the entire Torah. The rest is commentary, so go and study!"

There is a term l'shon ha-ra, which means the evil tongue. So no insulting, gossiping, humiliating. No slander. (Gosh it must be hard being that perfect, I gossip on an almost daily basis). There is also the concept of fairness. You cannot charge interest on a loan to another Jew, but it was common to charge a small amount to a foreigner, who would not bring back any business to you, etc.

Tzedakah: charity. Supporting others who are not doing as well as ourselves, and not just out of compassion, but out of justice. Liberal Judaism is all about justice and righting the world.

In biblical times, this meant leaving a corner of your crops unharvested, so the poor can come and take it. Collecting on the high holidays for charities is very common as well. This Yom Kippur we collected for 4 separate groups.

Social justice and peace: Again, for those who can't help themselves. Fighting for equal rights, for human rights. A lot of Jews marched with Martin Luther King, which I think is great. Liberal Jews are frequently speaking out against the war and are involved with groups supporting both Israeli and Palestinian families.

The conservation of nature: This is a relatively new addition, but Liberal Judaism is no stranger to environmentalists and all-out hippies. I do find that our shul has those who are fond of tie-dye, hemp and herbal tea, but we also have more conservative members as well, and everyone is conscious of the green effort.

Humane treatment of animals: From the way we slaughter animals to the way they are treated in society. I am a supporter of the SSPCA and I like bunnies and kitties and puppies. But I also like treatments for MS, Parkinson's, and cancer, and enjoy mince. I know a lot of Jews are vegetarians as it's easier re: the kosher laws, but there are a growing number of ethical vegetarians/vegans as well.

Next time? Chanukkah! though I imagine it'll be over by the time I write the post, I'll be musing about this fun but small (and growing over-commercialised) holiday.