Level: Basic
Many people think of Judaism as the religion of cold, harsh laws, to be
contrasted with Christianity, the religion of love and brotherhood. This
is an unfair characterization of both Judaism and Jewish law. Laws are at
the heart of Judaism, but a large part of Jewish law is about love and
brotherhood, the relationship between man and his neighbors. Jewish law commands
us to eat only kosher food(*Orthodox/Conservative), not to turn on lights
on shabbat*, and not to wear wool woven with linen*,
but it also commands us to love both Jews and strangers, to give aid to the
poor and needy, and to do no wrong to anyone in
speech or in business. In fact, acts of love and
kindness are so much a part of Jewish law that the word "mitzvah" (literally,
"commandment") is commonly used to mean any good deed.
The Talmud tells a story of
Rabbi Hillel, who lived around the time of
Christ. A pagan came to him saying that he would convert to Judaism if Hillel
could teach him the whole of the Torah in the time
he could stand on one foot. Hillel replied, "What is hateful to yourself,
do not do to your fellow man. That is the whole Torah; the rest is just
commentary. Go and study it."
The "Golden Rule" is not an idea that began with Christianity. It was a
fundamental part of Judaism long before Hillel or Christ. It is a common-sense
application of the Torah commandment to love your neighbor as yourself (Lev.
19:18), which Rabbi Akiba described as the
essence of the Torah.
The true difference between Judaism and Christianity lies in Hillel's last
comment: Go and study it. Judaism is not content to leave love and brotherhood
as a general ideal, to be fulfilled as each individual sees fit; Judaism
spells out, in intricate detail, how we are meant to show that love.
Jewish law includes within it a blueprint for a just and ethical society,
where no one takes from another or harms another or takes advantage of another,
but everyone gives to one another and helps one another and protects one
another. Again, these are not merely high ideals; the means for fulfilling
these ideals are spelled out in the 613 commandments.
Everyone knows that the Ten Commandments command us not to murder. The full
scope of Jewish law goes much farther in requiring us to protect our fellow
man. We are commanded not to leave a condition that may cause harm, to construct
our homes in ways that will prevent people from being harmed, and to help
a person whose life is in danger. These commandments regarding the preservation
of life are so important in Judaism that they override all of the ritual
observances that people think are the most important part of Judaism.
We are commanded to help those in need, both in physical need and financial
need. The Torah commands us to help a neighbor with his burden, and help
load or unload his beast, to give money to the poor and needy, and not to
turn them away empty handed.
Jewish law forbids us from cheating another or taking advantage of another.
Jewish law regarding business ethics and practices is extensive. It regulates
conduct between a businessman and his customer (for example, not to use false
weights and measures, not to do wrong in buying and selling, not to charge
interest) and between a business man and his employee (to pay wages promptly,
to allow a worker in the field to eat the produce he is harvesting, and not
to take produce other than what you can eat from the employer while harvesting).
Entire books have been written on the subject of Jewish laws against wronging
another person in speech. We are commanded not to tell lies about a person,
nor even uncomplimentary things that are true. We are commanded to speak
the truth, to fulfill our promises, and not to deceive others.
Contrary to what many people think, most of these laws regarding treatment
of others apply not only to our treatment of our fellow Jews, but also to
our treatment of gentiles, and in many cases even to our treatment of animals. In fact, some of the laws
instituted by the sages even extend kind treatment to inanimate objects.
The bread on the sabbath table is covered during
the blessing over the wine, so that it's
"feelings" are not hurt by having the wine take precedence over it. Of course,
we do not believe that bread actually has feelings, but this practice helps
to instill an enormous sensitivity to others. If we can show concern for
a loaf of bread, how can we fail to show concern for our fellow man?
