What does it mean to be a good neighbor? As we enter the darkest time of the year, let us remember to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” This important Jewish value happens to perfectly reflect Buffalo as “the City of Good Neighbors.” At its time of adoption in 1940 the slogan spoke to Buffalo’s spirit of welcoming immigrants, and its residents’ spirit of community and mutual support. As Western New Yorkers, we hold this idea close.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” is a foundational principle of Jewish ethics. The directive to love our neighbors as ourselves follows in Torah the command not to take vengeance or hold a grudge against our neighbor. (Torah, Leviticus 19:18). This section of Torah begins with the Holiness codes that say we are to be Holy in our behaviors and actions because the Creator is Holy. These are high standards to live by! All of us are holy, and we each light the world in our own way.
With love at the heart of our actions, we are commanded to do justice and fairness, not to do harm with our words or actions. We are to treat strangers with kindness, to live with compassion, and treat others respectfully. We are expected to treat ourselves with caring compassion, also. If we provide for our needs and take care of ourselves, we may instinctively extend the same to others. We need the reminder to love our neighbors because it is easy to forget. With awareness of others, we may be prompted to take action to help in times of need.
We take action from love. “LOVE your neighbor as yourself.” At JFS we do this by showing our values, by being Resolute and Purpose Built. The Mensch part is expected! From these ethical values, we can create communities in which we care for and are mindful of others’ needs beyond our own. This fosters a more universal approach in which we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Yet we must start with us and with LOVE.
From these ethical values, we can create communities in which we care for and are mindful of others’ needs beyond our own. This fosters a more universal approach in which we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
During this holiday season, shorter days and darkness encourage us to go within, ponder, care for, nurture ourselves, and renew our spirits. Let us take time, also, to turn our eyes outward, to others in service with love. May you and yours have a blessed, safe, and thoughtful holiday season. Pay attention. Love your neighbor as yourself.
– Rabbi Yonina
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