Environment Lesson

ByAJWS Staff

AJWS On1Foot

Deuteronomy 23:8

לֹא תְתַעֵב אֲדֹמִי כִּי אָחִיךָ הוּא, לֹא תְתַעֵב מִצְרִי כִּי גֵר הָיִיתָ בְאַרְצוֹ:

Deuteronomy.23.8

You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your kinsman. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, for you were a stranger in her land. [JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]

Suggested Discussion Questions
1. What is this text suggesting about our relationships with people from other races and cultures?
2. How is this similar or different to the way we relate with people from other cultures today?

Rambam, Commentary on the Mishna, Tractate Avot Chapter 3:12

אלא ראוי שתקבל בני האדם כולם, קטנם וגדולם, בן החורין מהם והעבד, כל איש ממין האדם, בשמחה ובטוב לבב. וזה יותר ממאמר שמאי בסבר פנים יפות

Pirkei_Avot.3.12

It is fitting to receive every person, lowly and grand, freed and slave, every member of the human race, with joy and happiness. This goes beyond what Shammai says (Avot 1:15): "[Receive all people] with a kindly countenance." [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek. Edited for gender neutrality]