RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: JEWISH INTERFAITH WEDDINGS: CO-OFFICIATE: PALMETTO BLUFF, SC
JUDAISM'S ETHICS FOCUS ON HOW TO LIVE LIFE THE RIGHT WAY
BY RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL
PUBLISHED JUNE 2012 IN BOTH THE BLUFFTON, SC 'SUN', AND THE HILTON HEAD, SC 'SUN'
Shalom and Peace:
Today we continue with a bit more of Jewish Ethics (Derek Eretz) from the Talmud.
''Bear always in mind the following: Know whence you come, whither you go, and before Whom you will have to render an account. Do not slander, for the mouth will be first on the Day of Judgment to give account. ''
Judaism does not over emphasize the World to Come. But Judaism certainly believes in a Heaven (Gan Eden, i.e. Garden of Eden) and up to 12 months in corrective, purifying Hell (Gehinnom) as part of this World to Come (Olam ha Ba). We are taught to do good because it is the right way to live. We are taught not to behave badly, because it is the wrong way to live.
Judaism does not want us doing good deeds as a way of collecting points to ensure our way into Heaven. The rabbis tell us not be like servants serving a master for the sake of a reward. The Talmud teaches that all Jews have a share in the World to Come, (Tractate Sanhedrin 10:1) and further, that the righteous of all religions, have the same share. [Sanhedrin 105a].
Judaism is not focused on the question of how to get into heaven. Judaism is focused on life and how to live it.
But Judaism is aware of the yetzer ha ra, the evil inclination in humankind, and the ego, self-seeking, selfishness, dishonesty, and limiting fears that go along with it. Hence the rabbis occasionally have to remind us to be humble and watch our behaviors, because we may not be judged in this Earthly plain, but there is a Day of Judgment in the next. One of the biggest conflicts between Hebraism practiced by the Sadducee Priests, and Judaism, practiced by Talmudic Rabbinic Pharisees was the Jewish belief in the World to Come and Heavenly Judgment.
While some will deny Heavenly Judgment and the World to Come, reality teaches that behaving ethically and correctly will make our lives here go more smoothly. Behaving shabbily, will make our lives a living hell. Judaism is less concerned about what one believes, and more concerned about how one behaves.
We are taught to be humble. Know that we came from, as Talmud Pirkei Avot 3:1 says, a ''putrid drop from our fathers'', and that we will end up as ''food for worms.'' All of us are always standing before God whether we deny this or not. We might play the big shot on this plain, getting our names and pictures in the House of Prayer's bulletin, but it means nothing in God's judging eyes, if we slander, gossip and hurt others to secure our coveted positions. An arrogant slanderous person, [even if charming], and God cannot dwell in the same world. (Tractate Sotah 5a).
Rabbi Arthur Segal is an international lecturer, author, and teacher. Visit him at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org. Follow him on FaceBook at 'Arthur L Segal', on Twitter at RabbiASegal, or his blog at http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com . Email at RabbiSegal@JewishSpiritualRenewal.net.
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spirituality
Eco Judaism
facebook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal
Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spirituality
Eco Judaism
facebook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal
Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
