In honor of the new Edward H. Rosen Center for Jewish Life at Temple University, tonight we will be exploring what it takes to be a good neighbor. We'll move through texts that help us to discern what being a good neighbor means, and then move to texts that help us build ethics, character traits and relationships that help build communities of "good neighbors."
Prepared by Isabel de Koninck, Director, Tzedek Philly, [email protected]
1. Who are the players in this text – seen and unseen?
2. This text has powerful implication on how we relate to those around us. What are some ways we can implement this thinking into our daily lives? our politics?
1. How is Hillel's phrase here different than the verse in Leviticus, "Love your neighbor as yourself?"
2. If we truly followed this dictum, how would our daily behavior change?
3. How might we experience "the rest of Torah" as a commentary on this idea?
1. How might we define "the good and the right"?
2. What are the values this text offers that are meant to guide "a person’s actions toward his neighbors and acquaintances, all of his commercial activity, and all social and political institutions"?
3. How are we, as a society, measuring up to Ramban's standards?
| Translation | Original |
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| Most people are not outright thieves, taking their neighbors’ property and putting it in their own premises. However, in their business dealing most of them get a taste of stealing whenever they permit themselves to make an unfair profit at the expense of someone else, claiming that such a profit has nothing to do with stealing. It is not merely the obvious and explicit theft with which we have to concern ourselves, but any unlawful transfer of wealth from one individual to another that may occur in everyday economic activities. [Zevitt translation] |
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1. What other actions might be considered "stealing" by the standard set here?
2. How does this type of interaction affect our relationships with our neighbors
3. What are the obstacles to living any other way?
1. What are the dangers of building too close to your neighbor?
2. In what other ways does the way we build affect our neighbors?
3. What social justice themes emerge from this text?
| Translation | Original |
|---|---|
| If one observes that another committed a sin or walks in a way that is not good, it is the person’s duty to bring the erring one back to the right path and point out that he/she is wronging him/herself by this evil course, as it is said, “You shall surely rebuke your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:17). One who rebukes another, whether for offenses against the one who rebukes him/herself or for sins against God, should administer the rebuke in private, speak to the offender gently and tenderly, and point out that the rebuke is offered for the wrongdoer’s own good, to secure for the other life in the World to Come. If the person accepts the rebuke, well and good. If not, the person should be rebuked a second, and a third time. And so one is bound to continue the admonitions, until the sinner assaults the admonisher and says, “I refuse to listen.” Whoever is in a position to prevent wrongdoing and does not do so is responsible for the iniquity of all the wrongdoers whom that person might have restrained. [Freeman translation] |
הרואה חבירו שחטא או שהלך בדרך לא טובה מצוה להחזירו למוטב ולהודיעו שהוא חוטא על עצמו במעשיו הרעים שנאמר הוכח תוכיח את עמיתך (ויקרא יט:יז), המוכיח את חבירו בין בדברים שבינו לבינו, בין בדברים שבינו לבין המקום, צריך להוכיחו בינו לבין עצמו, וידבר לו בנחת ובלשון רכה ויודיעו שאינו אומר לו אלא לטובתו להביאו לחיי העולם הבא, אם קיבל ממנו מוטב ואם לאו יוכיחנו פעם שניה ושלישית, וכן תמיד חייב אדם להוכיחו עד שיכהו החוטא ויאמר לו איני שומע, וכל שאפשר בידו למחות ואינו מוחה הוא נתפש בעון אלו כיון שאפשר לו למחות בהם.
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1. Who are the players in this text – seen and unseen?
2. In practice, it is very difficult to rebuke someone. What are some ways of rebuking so that the person is not shamed?
3. What might it look like if we took this advice to heart in our own lives? How do you think this would change our communities?
1. Who are the players in this text – seen and unseen?
2. How do you think this text defines "neighbor"?
3. In what ways can leaders help their community be more involved in acts of justice?
4. In what ways are all citizens of a democracy leaders?