What is Mitzvot? It's from the Hebrew, a tradition within Judaism that means to do good deeds. Along with it goes the idea of beautifying the Commandments, and the Word of God. By performing the mitzvot, the observant worshipper is in fact beautifying the Word, adding to Creation, and making life better for someone else, thereby making life better for all. Mitzvot is strongly rooted in 'doing justice.' This is a wonderful concept, something we all should study and act upon.
How does one do justice? First, identify the issue--ask, what is the injustice? Intuitively and instinctively most of us know the difference between right and wrong. Accordingly, it should be easy then to know when something is just plain wrong. Yet this is often hard. Why? Maybe we are co-opted by the injustice, perhaps we receive a benefit from it. Could this cause us to wear blinders at times? What else could explain the severe disparity between the haves and have-nots, between the northern hemisphere countries and the southern hemisphere countries? Why does nation war against nation? Why does starvation persist into the 21st century? Well, we identify the issue, name the injustice, and then pray for guidance as to how to approach the matter.
Then we discern--what is God calling us to do in this situation, in the face of this injustice? We publicize it, we organize around it, we take positive and constructive action. We do it out of love, and by acting in such a way, we have taken the concept of mitzvot and broadened it. We're not just doing good deeds and beautifying the Word of God, we're changing the world too! I believe this is what the Biblical narrative calls us to do. Good deeds on a small scale, or good deeds on the large scale, either way, it's for the common good. This is how people of faith live out their faith.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
On The Subject of Immigration....
Today in America there is a movement underway to locate immigrants here 'illegally' and to deport them. This saddens me. In fact, I really dislike the term 'illegal immigrant.' How can that made of God, with the light of God therein, be called 'illegal?' I can't help but think that this is merely racism at work--afterall, those being deported are people of color, from South America, Africa and Asia. Racism is wrong, and it's evil.
A year ago I heard a white college age person from Los Angeles--and a wealthy family--complain of the number of 'illegal immigrants' undermining health care in the area by seeking 'free' medical care at local hospitals. He explained, that in his observation, these folks were just looking for free care at his expense, and that those who 'really needed it' would not have it available because of the immigrants 'taking advantage of the system.' Where to start with this?? Well, I think it best to point out that if the so called Third World had better health care, perhaps these folks would not be seeking it elsewhere. And what of the right to health care--good health care? Should it only be available to the wealthy, or to Americans born here, or only to white Americans? Where does his specious argument lead and end?
Which brings me to a simple thought: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. You know the story. A traveler is beaten along the road, and though needing help, is passed by people who should have known better. Along comes a stranger, and the stranger helps the man, even finds a place for him to stay, paying the bill in advance! The point of the story, besides the moral imperative of humans helping humans based upon need and nothing more, is that the Samaritan who helps the stranger was helping a foreigner, and treated him as his neighbor. So, we ask, who is our neighbor? Everyone is our neighbor, and everyone is to be treated as such.
As to the rounding up and deporting of foreigners, let me remind us all that Nazi Germany did just this same thing not so many years ago. That led to much worse. When we reduce another human being to being just 'the other' and no longer see them as our neighbor, we will rationalize our actions and justify them in the name of nationalism, patriotism, and economic need (or blame), committing just about any crime against humanity. And this is wrong, and it too is evil.
The Biblical addage still rings true--love your neighbor (don't arrest and deport them). I call you my readers to speak out against this injustice.
A year ago I heard a white college age person from Los Angeles--and a wealthy family--complain of the number of 'illegal immigrants' undermining health care in the area by seeking 'free' medical care at local hospitals. He explained, that in his observation, these folks were just looking for free care at his expense, and that those who 'really needed it' would not have it available because of the immigrants 'taking advantage of the system.' Where to start with this?? Well, I think it best to point out that if the so called Third World had better health care, perhaps these folks would not be seeking it elsewhere. And what of the right to health care--good health care? Should it only be available to the wealthy, or to Americans born here, or only to white Americans? Where does his specious argument lead and end?
Which brings me to a simple thought: The Parable of the Good Samaritan. You know the story. A traveler is beaten along the road, and though needing help, is passed by people who should have known better. Along comes a stranger, and the stranger helps the man, even finds a place for him to stay, paying the bill in advance! The point of the story, besides the moral imperative of humans helping humans based upon need and nothing more, is that the Samaritan who helps the stranger was helping a foreigner, and treated him as his neighbor. So, we ask, who is our neighbor? Everyone is our neighbor, and everyone is to be treated as such.
As to the rounding up and deporting of foreigners, let me remind us all that Nazi Germany did just this same thing not so many years ago. That led to much worse. When we reduce another human being to being just 'the other' and no longer see them as our neighbor, we will rationalize our actions and justify them in the name of nationalism, patriotism, and economic need (or blame), committing just about any crime against humanity. And this is wrong, and it too is evil.
The Biblical addage still rings true--love your neighbor (don't arrest and deport them). I call you my readers to speak out against this injustice.
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