.gif)
Bo(Exodus 10:1-13:16)
We Are What We Do
Sociology proclaims man to be a product of his environment. Judaism says man is a product of his actions.
In this week's Parsha, there are 16 separate mitzvot concerning the Pesach holiday alone. All seem to have a similar purpose - to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. But the "Sefer HaChinuch" (14th century "Book of Mitzvah Education") deals with the Torah's seeming redundancy by clarifying a fundamental principle of Judaism... and indeed of life itself:
"You should know that a person is influenced in accordance with his actions. His heart and all his thoughts are always drawn after the deeds in which he is occupied, whether they are good or bad. Thus even a person who is thoroughly wicked in his heart, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil the entire day - if he will arouse his spirit and set his striving and his occupation with constancy in Torah and mitzvahs, even if not for the right reasons, he will veer at once toward the good... For after one's actions is the heart drawn.
"And even if a person were thoroughly righteous, his heart upright and honest, desiring Torah and mitzvahs, but if he should engage constantly in depraved matters (for example, if the government forcefully appointed him to an evil vocation), then in truth, if his entire occupation will constantly be in that vocation, then at some point in time he will turn from the righteousness of his heart to become completely wicked. For it is a known that every person is influenced in accordance with his actions.
"For this reason, the Sages said: The omnipresent God wished to make the Jewish people meritorious; therefore He gave them a multitude of Torah and mitzvot...
"Therefore, look carefully to your work and your occupation, for after them will you be drawn (not that you will draw them toward you...)"
THE PROCESS OF BEING SHAPED
Our nature, character, mood, disposition, temperament, attitude, and sensitivities are formed by our day-to-day activities.
Of course, this "shaping" of our nature is not just affected by the actual actions of our job. It is also affected by what we do the remainder of the day as well! What books we read, if we exercise, how we drive, talk, eat... Every single action, in some very real way, affects the kind of person we are... just as the act of theft is what makes the criminal.
No action is irrelevant. They all change who we are, pulling the strings and levers of our emotions and thoughts. On some imperceptible level, every miniscule action affects different aspects of our nature - from our self-confidence to our peace of mind.
The influence of most actions are difficult (if not impossible) to detect. But anyone who cares about their character will investigate carefully the various values and influences of his actions.
Don't go through life unaware of how you are changing yourself. Start now on a course of self-awareness. Before you do any action, ask, "How will this affect me?" And after the action, ask again, "How did this affect me?"
These questions may not be easy, but they are entirely worthwhile. Because the one who practices them consistently will be, without a doubt, a more thinking, conscious and conscientious human being.
ON A PRACTICAL NOTE
This concept has one very immediate application. The rule is that stealing makes a person into a thief, lying makes a liar, laziness makes a person lazy, and acting glum makes a person depressed.
Therefore, an easy path to happiness is to act out the role of a happy person. It's a simple equation of cause-and-effect. By greeting the day with enthusiasm and going through your activities with joy, your actions will influence your inner being to eventually reach a state of true happiness.
BRAINSTORMING QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Question 1: Have you ever met a truly happy person?
Question 2: What actions would be typical of a person who is really happy? Why haven't you incorporated more of those into your life?
Question 3: What aspects of your daily routine are causing you to be depressed? How could you change your routine?
Question 4: What aspects of your daily routine are causing you to be lazy? How could you change your routine?
(5) Yisroel Jerry Gross , January 24, 2007
Your column is very inspiring!
I have a Partner in Torah and we review your column (along with Rabbi Shraga Simmons' column) every week.
Last week he was inspired by you and wanted to commit to one mitzvah. He asked me to help him choose one.
What do I know? So I called Rabbi Drucker from Partners in Torah. He advised me to tell him to pick Krias Shema since it has many mitzvohs within it.
Before I call my partner, I usually check my emails to see if he would be in.
Yes there was an e-mail. His e-mail read I have chosen one.
Attached was "What's behind the most famous Jewish prayer" by Rabbi Shraga Simmons SHEMA YISROEL
As a father raising 6 children in (Flatbush) Brooklyn NY. and being an FFB, I want you to know this partnership influences our lives daily. It brings new excitement to being "frum".
Thanks.
(4) Anonymous , January 7, 2003
very practical and penetrating
I really needed to read this article today and I believe it was sent to me for a reason. There are a lot of unsettled things in my life right now causing confusion and anxiety. I do pray and believe in a personal God who cares and acts in people's lives, but sometimes it helps a lot to have practical structures that are true for guiding our thinking and problem-solving. Thank you.
(3) Linda Frobese , January 16, 2002
Thanks, can't wait to call my friends with the news
This is good news, and for me at a very opportune time. After Sept. 11th so many people are so depressed. Many of these are my friends. You put into concise words exactly the wisdom from God that they need to hear. You may have saved some friend ships because, honestly, I am being drainned by the despair they are practicing. Life and death indeed are in the power of the tongue ( and the mind). I choose life, I hope they will too. Thank you again.
(2) Anniteh Shatz (Zahne) , January 16, 2002
Judaism's Responsiblity To Set Precedence
Regardless of the circumstances or especially if one is challenged in a situation similiar to a "Sodom & Gemorrah", the Torah provides the guidance to change the circumstances or environment for the better. Your actions depend on it, society and its survival depends on you to do it.
(1) Dov Laufer , October 16, 2001
Does Judaism Say that Man is a Product of His Actions Alone?
With all due respect to the Rabbi, I feel that it is incorrect to say or imply that Judaism says that man is a product of his actions alone.
Working on becoming a Tzaddik (saint) in an environment of Sodom and Gemorrah is just not going to work. Consequently, the Torah urges us to find wholesome environments.