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The Importance of Immediate Action

TANAKH

Abraham's immediate and proactive response to the presence of guests exemplifies the Jewish value of hospitality. The book of Genesis recounts Abraham's encounter with three visitors, whom he greets with great hospitality and reverence.

Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground,

Genesis 18:2

Nachshon's Leap of Faith

COMMENTARY

Nachshon’s willingness to risk his life by entering the sea of reeds before it was split demonstrates unparalleled spiritual courage and humility. The 18th-century Torah commentary Or HaChaim by Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar explores the unique spiritual status of Nachshon, a leader from the tribe of Yehudah.

למטה יהודה, of the tribe of Yehudah. The Torah omitted the word נשיא prince, although this title is used in connection with all the other princes when they are introduced as offering their respective gifts. The reason for this is that Nachshon was on a spiritually sufficiently high level to have qualified as the first one to bring this offering even if he had not been the prince of his tribe. The status of most of the other princes was due only to their having been elected as princes of their respective tribes…

Or HaChaim on Numbers 7:12:2

Selfless Devotion

MUSAR

Performing commandments purely for the sake of God, without any expectation of earthly rewards, is a profound spiritual ideal. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz’s 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, emphasizes the importance of selfless actions, using Abraham as a prime example.

4) A fourth level of מצוה performance is performance of the commandment for the sake of G–d, not for the securing of any kind of advantage on this earth. Abraham was a prime example of this when he risked his life to liberate Lot and incidentally all the people of Sodom, etc, and refused as much as a shoelace of the loot which was legally his (Genesis 14,22).

Shenei Luchot HaBerit, Torah Shebikhtav, Mishpatim, Derekh Chayim 6

We Will Do and We Will Understand

TANAKH

The phrase 'naase venishma' encapsulates the Jewish commitment to action and understanding, offering a profound insight into the multifaceted nature of faith and obedience. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks delves into the different interpretations of 'nishma,' exploring how this phrase from Exodus 24:7 signifies the Israelites' acceptance of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

R. Eliezer said, when the Israelites rushed to say “We will do” before saying “We will hear,” a divine voice went forth and said: Who has revealed to My children this secret which only the ministering angels make use of? (Shabbat 88a)

I Believe; A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, Mishpatim; We Will Do and We Will Hear 7

Balancing Action and Faith

COMMENTARY

The story of Ruth teaches us the delicate balance between taking action and placing trust in God. Rabbi Chaim Jachter’s contemporary commentary on the book of Ruth explores these themes through the lens of classic interpretations and modern insights.

Conclusion
One must know how to distinguish when it is time to act from when it is time to refrain from acting and instead place our trust in Hashem. Naomi guided Rut in taking bold steps to establish her future and the future of her family. Naomi also guided Rut in knowing when to “sit tight” and trust that Hashem will guide matters towards the desired result.

Megillat Ruth; From Chaos to Kingship, Perek 3 25:22

Pursuing Peace

MIDRASH

The Torah does not explicitly command the pursuit of many mitzvot, but it does command the pursuit of peace. The medieval midrash Bamidbar Rabbah emphasizes the proactive pursuit of peace, even in times of conflict.

“Israel sent messengers to Siḥon, king of the Emorites, saying” (Numbers 21:21).
“Israel sent messengers” – this is what the verse said: “Trust in the Lord and perform good; dwell in the land and cultivate faith” (Psalms 37:3), and it says: “Turn away from evil and perform good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). But the Torah did not insist upon pursuing mitzvot, but rather: “If a bird’s nest should happen before you” (Deuteronomy 22:6); “if you encounter [your enemy’s ox]” (Exodus 23:4); if you see – “if you see a donkey” (Exodus 23:5)…

Bamidbar Rabbah 19:27

Balancing Love and Fear in Action

TALMUD

Balancing love and fear of God is essential for guiding one's actions in a righteous manner. The Jerusalem Talmud, a central text in rabbinic Judaism, explores the dual motivations of love and fear in one's relationship with God.

One verse says, “you shall love the Eternal, your God,” and another verse says, “fear the Eternal, your God, and Him you should serve.” Act from love and act from fear. Act from love, because if you are tempted to hate, know that you must love and a lover is no hater. Act from fear, because if you are tempted to rebel, know that you must fear and one who fears does not rebel.

Jerusalem Talmud Sotah 5:5:3

The Enduring Impact of Good Deeds

TARGUM

After death, only our good deeds and acts of charity will benefit us. The Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes, an ancient translation and interpretation, emphasizes the importance of performing charity and good deeds with all one's strength.

10. Whatever charity your hand finds to do, do for the needy with all your strength, for after death a man has neither work nor reckoning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave where you are going and nothing will help you but good deeds and charity alone.

Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes 9:10

Faith in Action

GUIDES

The Shema connects abstract faith to concrete actions, demonstrating how fundamental beliefs are lived out through specific mitzvot. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, a modern Jewish scholar, explores the practical application of faith through actions like teaching children, binding tefillin, and affixing mezuzot.

This issue of connecting abstract faith to real life is manifest in several verses in the Torah. Nowhere is that connection as conspicuous as in the section of Shema in Deuteronomy. “Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One” expresses the fundamental tenet of the Jewish faith; “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” expresses the essence of its accompanying feeling. However, together with those abstract ideas…

Introductions to the Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot, Introduction to Berakhot 8

Actions Over Words

MISHNAH

Actions speak louder than words, and excessive speech leads to sin. Pirkei Avot, a tractate of the Mishnah, offers ethical teachings and maxims from the rabbis, emphasizing the virtue of silence and the importance of actions over words.

Shimon, his son, used to say: all my days I grew up among the sages, and I have found nothing better for a person than silence. Study is not the most important thing, but actions; whoever indulges in too many words brings about sin.

Pirkei Avot 1:17

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