Okay, who did it? I opened my door the other morning and found my newspapers right at the doorstep. They’re usually down at the curb, soaked from the sprinklers that seem to be timed to wet the papers every morning (Come to think of it, I hope it was the sprinklers). I looked up and down the street to see if some early morning walker had put the papers by the door and was still close enough for me to say, “Thanks!” But, he or she was gone. It couldn’t have been the regular delivery person. I know he must mean well, but his aim usually puts the papers near the curb, in the bushes, or near the end of the yard. This was a mystery. Whoever you are, thank you.
Such a random act of kindness, as it’s often called, isn’t really so random. I don’t believe in random acts of kindness. Sure, the opportunity was random, but the instinct to perform the act of kindness was not. Such deeds are mitzvot, plural for mitzvah. It means a good deed, but it’s really a commandment. And, what’s a commandment if not a duty to perform a deed given by a commander? So, who’s the commander? Traditionalists would say that God is the commander. Modernists might claim that we command ourselves. Either way, our instinct or motivation to do right and good still comes from our covenant with God in Judaism, which presumes high expectations for moral and ethical behavior, the source of which is Torah.
That’s a lot of theology for an early morning newspaper. But, let’s consider what our Judaism teaches us about mitzvot. Someone who does only big mitzvot might conclude that one’s duty is only to do big deeds. Consider the role of philanthropists who give large sums to important causes. Their gifts are enormously generous and they make a big difference. But, what if they only gave large sums to great causes, and neglected smaller sums to smaller causes? Consider the volunteer services you provide. Do you only give your time to large causes or do you make time for individuals, too? Do you take a walk in the morning without noticing the neighbors around you, or do you say hello to fellow walkers on the street, and pause to bring somebody’s newspaper to their doorstep?
Anyone can be big and do great things. But, the person who can also bend down to do a small mitzvah understands the huge difference it can also make. When I walked back into the house with the newspapers, I told my family the short story. They weren’t as moved as I was (that’s okay), but I’m pretty sure they heard how easy it is to do a small mitzvah that makes a big impression.
As Shabbat begins and your weekend ushers in some rest and diversion, think about the mitzvot you do, and the ones you can add to your routine. We do mitzvot not for the reward, but for the sake of the mitzvot. All of them, big and small.
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.
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