You and Me and G-d Make three!...What We Have to Do

One of the most well known interpretations of this idea was offered by Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, Maimonides, who lived in Egypt in the 12th century when he wrote Sefer Ha-Mizvot, the Book of the Commandments. In it he lists all the commandments, positive and negative (dos and don’ts) and explains them all – all 613!

He said that Leviticus 19:18 means that what we want for ourselves we should want for others.  PERIOD! NO MORE! NO LESS!

You want to be treated with respect. You should treat others with respect.
You don’t want to be discriminated against. You should not discriminate against others; and so too, with people who are homeless and hungry and those who have no voice in the world.

If Maimonides came to your (Family/School/Synagogue) community, what would he find?

Using a collection of Synagogue bulletins (school newsletters), find evidence of the following:

• Altruism: Can you find examples of individual (or family) generosity?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Kindness and Helping: What everyday examples of caring can you find? Preparation of meals for people who are recovering from illness? Driving the elderly to services? Tutoring children/adults in reading or ESL (English as a Second Language)?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Advocacy and Activism: Do you see examples of letter writing, petition signing, participation in demonstrations, etc., in the hope of effecting changes in public policy?
  
  
  

With your family: Do the same exercise. What do the results show? In what areas is your family most active? What might your family add to their future actions?