From the Desk of Rabbi Jacobs

Building the Sukkah—booth or tabernacle—is for some the first mitzvah to fulfill after Yom Kippur. While heavy construction probably doesn’t meet OSHA standards after a 25-hour fast, the sacred deed just after the Gates of Repentance are thought to have closed (well, according to some sources) uses a principle as we try to turn religious behavior into a way of life. The teaching mitzvah gorer l’mitzvah—one mitzvah leads to another—is a significant insight into human behavior.

The practice of living with dedicated principles to fulfill, which includes both ritual acts and ethically determined choices in everyday life, creates both the attitude and the reward that are the aim of Jewish living. Ritual acts have a finite number in any case—traditionally 613–but ethical choices are more indeterminate. 

The mindset that is created by the choice to live more ethically is part of the wealth of Jewish heritage. It is baked into the Torah chapter we read Yom Kippur afternoon, Leviticus 19. Known as ‘the holiness code’ the chapter urges us “You shall be holy [kadosh] for I, your God am holy.” In this context, the Hebrew word kadosh might be understood as ‘separate’ or ‘apart’. 

What is it that makes the Jewish people holy-that sets us apart? While our religious practices might be an answer, I hope the difference is underscored by our ethical behavior. The same chapter lists behaviors that set us apart-although more than a few have been added by other groups.

Here are a few:

don’t reap all the way to the edges of your field

don’t pick the vineyard bare

More applicable if one is not a farmer,

don’t steal

don’t swear falsely 

don’t defraud, or withhold earned wages

don’t insult the deaf or trip up the blind 

In this last set—there are more instructions you can find for yourself by looking up Leviticus 19, which are the seeds of modernity, of inclusion, and acceptance of diversity. Traditional interpreters, however, also read the metaphorical meanings into this text. Teach Torah—especially ethics—to those who haven’t heard it before. Avoid tripping up with intellectual tricks those whose faith is smaller, or education in Jewish tradition diminished.  Instead, as Torah says elsewhere, ‘be a light unto the nations’.

Exemplary behavior is neither rare nor necessarily only good. 

Whatever we do, we should recognize that we are seen, and often imitated by others. Setting an example is not reserved for influencers on social media. Living a holy life—separated by its quality—is a response to our responsibility outlined in this one chapter but implicit in many, many more. In part, it means that everyone identified as a part of the Jewish community is an ambassador—a living precedent—for how all Jews are perceived.

Perhaps you will build a sukkah this week, to move into Friday evening for the seven days that follow. Perhaps you will welcome guests to your tabernacle in fulfillment of Ushpizin. 

If not, you will still be representative of Jewish values in your response to others in the greater community. In doing that, your behavior and demeanor are the root of living in the image of God—holy as God is holy.

Chag Samei’ach, mo’adim l’simchah.