I wanted to draw your attention to April’s compelling story “Uncharted Waters” over at Ordinary Attempts. Her honesty about her journey into awareness of the reality of the divide between haves and have nots, and what that means, is compelling. Thank you for inspiring us with your honesty, reality, and compassion, April!
An excerpt:
Yesterday, another man approached me in the parking of my grocery store. He looked distressed, telling me he was hungry and asked if I could give him a few dollars. I told him I was going into the grocery store and would be happy to get him anything he liked. He looked perplexed for at least one second and then said, “Thanks, anyway,” and walked away. To me, this illustrated even further the complexity of the homeless issue. The problem isn’t necessarily hunger. The problem is displacement, loss, loneliness, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness, and probably more issues that I haven’t thought of. Those things don’t get cured by a Carl’s Jr. breakfast sandwich or three dollars.
I am starting to learn that I need to think more realistically. I need to start asking someone their name because a name is a person’s identity. I need to start opening myself up and taking a risk, but I will navigate slowly through these uncharted waters. It was a learning experience. I imagine that God has more times like this in store for me in the future.
07-22-2007 |
No Comments »mitz·vah
1. any of the collection of 613 commandments or precepts in the Bible and additional ones of rabbinic origin that relate chiefly to the religious and moral conduct of Jews
2. any good or praiseworthy deed.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2006
For some time, I have been fascinated with the Jewish concept of the mitzvah. This term can refer specifically to the laws that govern the lives of observant Jews, or more generally to any good deed or act of kindness. According to Chabad.org, mitzvot are “the observances that define our lives as Jews and connect us to each other and to G-d.” For the devout Jew, observing the commandments of the Torah is a total lifestyle. Following the dietary guidelines for a kosher diet, for example, takes lots of time and deliberate effort. In Jewish practice, each mitzvah is an acknowledgment of God, a recognition of being connected to something much larger than one’s self. The “inconvenience” of the practice is what makes it so meaningful.
03-12-2007 |
13 Comments »