When a Jew Celebrates
by Harry Gersh Pages 9-11
According to the Jewish idea, time has a goal, a reason. Time exists so we can grow better, and in growing better, make the world better. Time will reach it’s goal when everyone in the world is absolutely goodטוֹב
Transliteration:ṭôḇ Pronunciation:tobe – good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well):—beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fair. For more info click here, when every person will do only that which is absolutely fair and just, when there will be no hunger, no war, no injustice or meanness of any kind. Then, in a way, time will end. So Jews call this period the End of Days, or the Days of the Messiah, or Kingdom of God.
To a Jew, this is the reason God gives us time. Each of us is expected to use this time to bring the world closer to the goal of everlasting peaceשָׁלוֹם
Transliteration šālôm Pronunciation shaw-lome’ shalom – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, well being, wholeness, prosperity For more info click here and justiceמִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mišpāṭ – properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant’s) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant’s right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style:— adversary, ceremony, charge custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence. For more info click here. Torahתּוֹרָה
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot., with it’s rulers of mercy and justice was given to the Jews by God so that our whole people could build its life on Torahתּוֹרָה
Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot. and move closer to the End of Days.
Jews believe that every single individual is important to God. What you do with your time, helps determine the world or the future. With each tick of the clock, with each turn of the calendar you are building your own future – and the other worlds.
There is a Jewish story told by Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. There was a plague in the city of a great king and none of the doctors of the city could cure it. One day the king saw a magic bird resting on the topmost tower of the castle. The king knew that this bird could cure the sickness in the city. He called the royal guard and ordered them to get it down. So they formed a human ladder, one man standing on the shoulders of the next, until the top most man could almost reach the bird. Then one weakened and they all fell.
“So it is with us,” The Baal Shem Tov said “The righteous person depends on the support of other people to attain the summit of holinessקָדְשׁ
Transliteration qōḏeš Pronunciation ko’-desh a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity:—consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (× most) holy (× day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. For more info click here and bring down God’s love. But when one person weakens, the whole structure falls and the Tzaddik {the holy person} must begin again.
Your time is NOW. What you do with your time and how you use it are important. You can help shape your own time and time to come – you can make it better.