|
Judaism originates with the covenant that
God had with Abraham 4,000 years ago. His grandson, Jacob,
also known as Israel, is the father of the Twelve Tribes.
The Jews formally became a nation at Mount Sinai, when they
received the Torah from God through Moses, as a prelude to
entering the Promised Land. God’s words to Moses’
successors are found in the Prophets and the Writings, which
include the Talmud and the Halacha (Path). The Talmud, completed
around 600 C.E., is the main anthology of Judaism’s
oral traditions, but the Halacha, the guide for every aspect
of life, continues to evolve as it grapples with new questions.
Jews see themselves as “a kingdom of
ministers and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). This means
that they have a mandate to minister to the entire world,
not by proselytizing but by setting a moral example. All human
beings are considered to be descendants of Adam and Eve and
are, therefore, made in God’s image. In addition, all
humans are survivors of the Flood and children of Noah, and
bound by this covenant to pursue justice (Genesis 9:1-7).
The infamous Sodom and its sister cities were punished because,
in Ezekiel’s words (16:49), “pride, fullness of
bread, and careless ease was in her and in her daughters;
neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”
According to the Bible, Abraham and his descendants
were selected for the role of ministering to the world because
of his dedication to “tzedaka” (Genesis 18:19).
This term is usually translated as “charity” but,
in fact, it literally means “justice,” a theme
explored by the Later Prophets. Since all wealth comes from
God, the sages explain, Jews do not truly possess anything,
but merely hold it in trust, and therefore Jews must redistribute
their wealth to make sure that no one goes without. In ancient
Israel, all debts were remitted every seventh year, and all
real estate was returned to its original owners every fiftieth
year. Traditionally, at least one-tenth of a Jew’s income
is to be donated to charitable causes. Feeding the hungry,
clothing the naked and tending to the sick are thus considered
not only praiseworthy, but also obligatory. This is how Jews
follow in God’s ways. Though the Jewish community has
a special obligation to its own members, its mandate of social
justice extends to all in need.
Back to top.
Ever since the Jews were exiled from Israel
in the year 70, well-off members of the community have seen
to the welfare of the indigent. As Jews were freed from their
ghettoes in the past two centuries, they turned their focus
to the benefit of all humanity, through medicine, science
and social justice. Many local, national and international
Jewish organizations look out for the welfare of Jews and
non-Jews alike in all corners of the world. The catastrophe
of the Holocaust makes Jews particularly sensitive to the
dangers of racism, prejudice and indifference to human suffering.
In Canada, Jewish denominations and congregations
are involved in many local, provincial and national interfaith
organizations. Many cities have a Jewish-Christian organization
to encourage dialogue and work against anti-Semitism. In Ontario,
the Jewish community is involved in the Interfaith Social
Assistance Reform Coalition, a provincial advocacy organization
working to alleviate hunger, homelessness, child poverty,
and provide adequate support for the disabled, refugees and
other vulnerable peoples.
Back to top.
To engage the Jewish community in your area, check the yellow
pages under “synagogues” or click here.
Larger synagogues have full time rabbis who are the initial
contact. In smaller synagogues, ask for the president of the
congregation.
Back to top.
|
