Author: dov

Six Constant Commandments

The Jew finds himself in the world taken up with life. Without thinking we go about our day. Very often we find ourselves in situations where we are stuck in one place for long periods of time – e.g. travelling by train or car, or even waiting in a shopping queue, or even walking. Here is the opportunity for us to THINK and not sit idly gazing around at the people or advertisements (that usually are contrary to the standards of Jewish Law!) This time may seem small but over time it adds up.  People can use this time for thinking about all different things, but here i want to mention the opportunity of doing mitzvos even in this stuck position!

There are six constant commandments that a person can doing almost at any time! They are:

  1. The positive mitzva to believe that there is only one G-d in the world Who Created and continually Guides all events.
  2. The negative commandment of not believing in other gods.
  3. The positive commandment that Hashem is One without any partner.
  4. The positive mitzva of loving Hashem by thinking into the Torah and world how all comes from Hashem’s Great Kindness.
  5. The negative mitzva of fearing Hashem constantly, especially when a person is about to sin, this reminder that all his actions and thoughts are recorded and monitored should stop him in his tracks!
  6. The negative commandment to not be negatively drawn to thoughts of heresy or physical desires as seen by the wandering eyes.

The Charity Scenario

David was in shul and heard the sound of collecting – the jingling of coins. He looked up to see the man, to get advanced warning of what type of person to think about how much charity he would give. Upon spotting the approaching man, his initial reaction was distaste at his appearance and so he decided not to give. At the same time he noticed another collector behind the other whom he did like the look of decided that he would give to him. As sometimes happens, the collectors mistakenly did some of their rounds again and approached David. He shrugged to the man’s outstretched arm and thought why should he give him again.

This is just one example of an every day ocurrence. How many mitzvos are going on in this one story?   Stop and think and only then read further!

The first mitzva when meeting a fellow Jew is the positive mitzva to love him as yourself and also the negative mitzva, not to hate him in your heart. If the person is a convert then there is the additional positive mitzva of loving the ger. With regards to the actual act of tzedoka, charity, there are a few. One is the negative mitzva not to strengthen your heart and not give the pauper –  here this was because of dislike. There is the positive commandments:  giving to the needy is emulating the pathways of Hashem and opening one’s hand to give money. This includes giving again even if they ask a second time!

Free Mitzva Game

This is a free mitzva game for everyone, wherever you are! It can have as many players as you want and can be for all ages.  It is the Mitzva Game. Much like the “I spy” game, you simply look around or take a specfic object and think how many mitzvos can be associated with it.

Example: Take a house and see what mitzvos you can think of. Here are some of them – Mezuza; making railing on the balcony, or any dangerous area; the owner of a new built house does not need to go out to battle with the Jewish army within the first year; the house must not be built, even partially, on someone else’s property; must build it in such away that it is not damaging to the neighbours; a house can be used for lots of chesed activities; in a Jewish house it should have a special kitchen to avoid all kashrus issues, etc.

These are just some. See how many more you can come up with!

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