The gateway to Judaism is striving to add goodness and blessing to the world, and to insist upon justice. Several Bible stories illustrate this point.
When Abraham opened his tent to guests, he did not do so because he was commanded to, or because he was seeking profit. Rather, he was motivated by his love of people and his desire to help them. Later, we find Abraham and his son, Isaac, digging wells, an essential activity which provides water to people and animals. Jacob worked diligently and faithfully as a shepherd, not only to benefit himself, but also to increase the world’s food and clothing supply. When Jacob’s son, Joseph, was sold into slavery, he could easily have fallen into despair over his fate. However, he did not let it sap his spirit. Rather, wherever he went, he tried to improve the situation of those around him, eventually saving Ancient Egypt from a terrible famine.
Jewish scientists and social activists today, whose primary goal is to contribute to society’s welfare and prosperity, are following in our ancestors’ footsteps.
When Moses left Pharaoh’s palace and saw an Egyptian overseer striking an Israelite slave, he hit the Egyptian and saved the slave, even though he knew he was endangering himself. As a result, he lost his status as an Egyptian prince and was forced to run for his life to Midian. There, when he witnessed shepherds harassing young women ( Jethro’s daughters), he could not stand by silently. He fought for their right to provide their sheep water from the well, even though he risked a conflict with the locals. Due to this intervention he merited marrying Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter. Moses continued improving himself until he was worthy to lead the Jewish nation to receive the Torah at Sinai.
After Ruth the Moabite was widowed, she decided to leave her home in Moab and move to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than leave her alone in her pain. Naomi, who had come from a very prominent family, was about to return to her homeland – downtrodden, as a widow who had lost her wealthy husband and both of her sons. Ruth felt a moral obligation to accompany her and stand by her. As a result of this, Ruth’s heart opened to faith in God. She converted to Judaism and became the progenitor of the Davidic line.
The Sages tell us that three traits characterize the Jewish people:
1) “merciful” – they are emphatic to the pain of others.
2) “modest” – they possess a God-fearing nature.
3) “compassionate” – they strive to act kindly.
